A North Carolina woman has reported a harrowing experience of hospitalization due to an alleged overdose of a GLP-1 medication, a class of drugs often prescribed for weight loss. Leslie Gammon, 54, recounted her ordeal to NBC News, stating she was prescribed a GLP-1 drug by a telehealth company.
Gammon explained that after initially losing weight under the guidance of one telehealth provider, she switched to another, Amble Health, in October 2025. She claimed that this new provider sent her a compounded GLP-1 drug with a low initial dose. After two weeks without significant appetite suppression, she contacted the company. Gammon stated that Amble Health then provided her with instructions to increase her dose from eight units to 46 units, nearly a five-fold increase.
Despite expressing concern about the escalated dosage, Gammon said she was advised to follow the doctor's directions. Shortly after administering the higher dose, she began experiencing severe vomiting, which continued for days. Her condition led her boyfriend to take her to urgent care, and she was subsequently hospitalized. Doctors there informed her she was suffering from a GLP-1 overdose, she told NBC.
Amble Health stated to NBC that it does not comment on individual patients but emphasized that patient safety is a priority. The company added that its network of providers follows evidence-based clinical protocols and encourages patient communication throughout their care.
Dr. James Chao, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of VedaNu Wellness, cautioned that errors leading to overdose are more common with compounded GLP-1 medications, where patients draw doses from a vial using a syringe. He explained that mistaking units for milliliters can lead to a tenfold dosing error. Due to the drug's long half-life, he noted, overdose symptoms do not resolve quickly.
According to Dr. Chao, acute risks of GLP-1 overdose include severe dehydration, which can impact kidney function and electrolyte balance. For individuals also taking insulin or sulfonylureas, hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a significant concern. Pancreatitis, though less common, is a more serious potential complication requiring hospitalization. Gammon reported that her symptoms were so severe she was unable to keep solid food down for a month and experienced pain for nearly a week.
Gammon expressed that she blames both the telehealth provider and herself for not being more educated about the medication. She has not taken a GLP-1 drug since the incident.
Dr. Chao advised individuals suspecting an overdose to contact poison control centers, which are available 24/7. Data from America's Poison Centers indicates a substantial increase in semaglutide-related calls between 2019 and 2023. He recommended drinking electrolyte-containing fluids for vomiting and consuming small amounts of carbohydrates if feeling shaky, advising immediate ER care for severe symptoms such as fainting, confusion, severe abdominal pain, or uncontrollable vomiting. He also stressed the importance of informing the prescribing physician about any overdose incidents.