Overview

• CDC researchers estimate 24,499 semaglutide-related emergency room visits occurred between 2022 and 2023, with over 80% of cases reported in 2023.
• Approximately 70% of these visits were due to gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
• Other causes included hypoglycemia (17%), allergic reactions (6%), and medication errors (9%), underscoring the need for careful dosing and monitoring.
• The findings, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, call for enhanced patient education and clinician guidance to mitigate risks, particularly for severe GI effects and hypoglycemia.
• The study utilized NEISS-CADES data, a nationally representative system for tracking drug-related adverse events in U.S. emergency departments.