- Illegal online pharmacies are selling counterfeit or substandard Ozempic.
- Scams include products with no active ingredient, incorrect dosage, or no delivery.
- Overdoses and severe health issues are on the rise due to these fake medications.
The popularity of Ozempic, a medication for diabetes and weight loss, has led to a surge in dangerous scams. Illegal online pharmacies are peddling counterfeit or substandard versions of Ozempic, putting consumers at serious risk.
Research led by Tim Mackey from the University of California, San Diego, has revealed alarming discrepancies in the purity and dosage of these counterfeit products.
The Hidden Dangers of Fake Ozempic
Counterfeit Ozempic products are flooding the market as the drug’s popularity for diabetes management and weight loss soars. Illegal online pharmacies are capitalizing on this demand, selling medications that often lack the proper ingredients or contain incorrect dosages. These scams not only waste money but also pose significant health risks, including severe side effects and hospitalizations.
Tim Mackey and his team conducted a study, uncovering the extent of the problem. They found that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, was present in varying purities and amounts in counterfeit products, sometimes exceeding the labeled dose by up to 39%. Such discrepancies can lead to dangerous overdoses, with US poison centers reporting a dramatic increase in semaglutide-related calls.
The FDA’s recent alert about semaglutide overdoses underscores the seriousness of this issue. Patients have been found injecting doses up to 20 times higher than prescribed, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and even acute pancreatitis. As the counterfeit market grows, so do the risks, making it crucial for consumers to buy medications from reputable sources and consult healthcare providers.
Online pharmacies often lure customers with the promise of cheaper prices or no need for a prescription, but these deals can be deadly. Counterfeit medications can contain harmful substances or incorrect dosages, causing serious health issues. Tim Mackey’s research highlights the importance of being vigilant and ensuring that medications are purchased from trusted, licensed pharmacies.
As the popularity of Ozempic rises, so does the risk of encountering counterfeit products. Protect yourself by buying only from reputable sources, verifying prescriptions, and consulting healthcare providers to avoid the severe health risks associated with fake medications.
“It’s hard to say how widespread these scams are,” said Tim Mackey, a professor in the Global Health Program
