Concerns Rise Over GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs

There’s been a significant uptick in GLP-1 drug usage among Americans for weight loss, largely thanks to the rise of telehealth services. But, I wonder, is this really a safe path to take?

A recent investigation by NBC News and KFF Health News has spotlighted serious issues: some patients utilizing these services are falling ill, primarily due to a lack of proper supervision in their medication use.

According to Gallup, around 11% of adults in the U.S. report now using GLP-1s to shed pounds, marking a record high.

Leslie Gammon’s experience stands out. She faced a terrifying situation after overdosing on a compounded GLP-1 medication that required a hospital visit; she claims she adhered to the dosing instructions provided by her telehealth provider.

“I just kept throwing up, it felt like every 20 minutes,” recalled Gammon, who is 54, in an account shared with NBC’s Anne Thompson. “The pain was intense. I couldn’t speak for nearly a week; it felt like my ribs were crushed.”

From 2019 to 2025, calls about overdoses or side effects related to injectable GLP-1 weight-loss drugs surged by nearly 1,500%, as per data from America’s Poison Centers. There were close to 23,000 such cases, but it’s unclear how many stemmed from telehealth prescriptions versus in-person visits.

Dr. Fatima Syed, an associate professor of medicine at Duke University, underscores that any medication carries the risk of overdose. Patients should feel assured that there’s a safety net in place when they use these drugs.

She emphasizes that while overdoses can occur even during face-to-face consultations, they generally come with a system of safety checks. This might not be the case when consultations only involve digital communication, like texting or emailing.

“Managing obesity is complex. Is a simple click enough oversight for conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes? Definitely not,” she said. “Your health deserves adequate clinical attention.”

Injection Brings Hospitalization

In seeking help to manage her weight during menopause, Gammon reached out to two telehealth services for GLP-1 medication. She preferred them for their ease of access without the hassle of in-person visits.

Instead of receiving an autoinjector pen, both companies provided her with a vial and syringe for self-injection. Gammon initially found her first telehealth service to be excellent, with regular consultations and a successful weight loss of 18 pounds in four months.

Afterward, she switched to Amble, another telehealth provider, in October 2025, but this time everything was managed through email.

After using a low dose of their compounded GLP-1 for two weeks without any effect on her appetite, she received a higher dose instruction—to inject nearly five times more than she had been. This obviously raised concerns for her.

“It freaked me out,” she shared. “I contacted the doctor to express my concerns, and the reply was just to follow the instructions.”

Still unsure, she attempted to inject 30 units. The outcome? Two hours later, she started throwing up violently. The relentless vomiting persisted from Sunday night through Tuesday afternoon, requiring a visit to both urgent care and the emergency room.

“At one point, I asked if I could be placed in a coma until it was over,” she laughed, albeit nervously.

After spending three days in the hospital, Gammon learned she had overdosed on GLP-1, a possibility she hadn’t even considered before, especially coming from a medical professional.

It took her about a month to resume eating solid food, and she hasn’t touched a GLP-1 medication since, opting instead to lose weight through diet and exercise.

Reflecting on responsibility for the incident, she feels both the telehealth physician and herself share the blame. “I think the doctor made a mistake; after all, they are human. But I should have been more informed,” she stated.

“I graduated college; I should have known better.”

Now, Gammon is faced with a hefty $9,000 hospital bill and reached out to Amble for assistance, but has yet to receive a response.

Amble mentioned it prioritizes patient safety and well-being but refrained from commenting on individual cases. They asserted that their licensed providers adhere to evidence-based protocols and promote open communication with patients.

Doctors Urge Caution

Similar cases have come to light through the NBC and KFF Health News report. Dr. Syed cautioned those considering telehealth for GLP-1 prescriptions to choose companies that offer accessible medical support.

“A one-click process doesn’t cut it. Ensure there’s a professional available for your queries,” she advised.

It’s also crucial to recognize the difference between brand-name GLP-1 drugs approved by the FDA and the compounded versions that are often cheaper but lack regulatory scrutiny.

“With approved medications, I have clarity on what’s in them and what reactions may occur,” she shared.

Compounded drugs often lead to confusion in dosing, with reports from America’s Poison Centers indicating people accidentally taking tenfold the recommended amount. Overdose effects can mirror usual side effects like nausea but may last longer and lead to serious issues such as dehydration.

An alliance of compounding pharmacies recently highlighted that the rising demand for GLP-1s has resulted in mass-produced alternatives operating in “regulatory gray areas,” which deviates from legitimate compounding practices.

Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, manufacturers of brand-name GLP-1 medications, warn about the potential dangers related to compounded variants.

In fact, Eli Lilly has raised significant concerns regarding the safety of mass-compounded imitations of its tirzepatide medication.

Knockoff products pose risks; they can be ineffective or even harmful. Novo Nordisk echoes this concern about the safety of unverified alternatives.