Latest news with #GenevieveAdamo
ABC News
30-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Weight-loss drugs cause emergency room spike
Patients are ending up in emergency rooms after overdosing on weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. It comes amid a spike in calls to the NSW Poisons Hotline. Genevieve Adamo is a Senior Pharmacist at the NSW Poisons Information Centre and she told ABC NewsRadio's Sarah Morice how people can avoid the risks.
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Urgent Ozempic warning every Aussie needs to hear as concerning trend emerges: 'Follow the instructions'
Aussies have been issued a warning about Ozempic as the number of patients being hospitalised for mistakenly overdosing on weight loss medications soars in one state. The NSW Poisons Information Centre received 332 distressed calls in 2024 from patients using semaglutide - a type 2 diabetes injection that trades under brand names such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Calls seeking advice on poisonings from semaglutide spiked by 1,176 per cent in four years, the Daily Telegraph reported Hospital management was required in 21 per cent of cases. In 2020, just 26 residents called the centre for help. NSW Poisons Information Centre senior specialist Genevieve Adamo said semaglutide was a GLP-1 agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes, but more recently had gained popularity among the public for off-label use for weight loss. 'To prevent accidental medication errors from GLP-1 agonists, NSW PIC advises the community to always write down or mark off the dose on a chart and always follow the instructions on the label,' she said. 'Ensure your doctor, diabetes educator, nurse or pharmacist has given you clear instructions on how to use your medicine, particularly on how to load a dose and inject correctly.' Common symptoms of semaglutide overdose include persistent nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, as well as intense headaches and hypoglycaemia (blood sugar). More serious side effects that require immediate medical attention include acute pancreatitis and gallstones. Last year, the PBS recorded more than 2.5 million prescriptions across Australia, a massive jump from 45,705 scripts in 2020 when the drug was first listed on the PBS. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has not approved Ozempic for weight loss, while Mounjaro and Wegovy can be prescribed for fat-loss purposes in 'very limited' cases. The TGA announced this month that Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company that supplied Ozempic, had doubled the dose contained in the pre-filled pens from 1.5mL to 3mL. The new 3 mL pen landed on chemist shelves this month and injects a slightly larger volume per dose. The TGA urged doctors to warn Ozempic users to 'be careful' and check the dose before administering it. Earlier this month, official data revealed more than 100 deaths in the United Kingdom had now been linked to blockbuster weight loss jabs. Two of the victims were people in their 20s, according to a MailOnline analysis of logs kept by the medicines safety watchdog. The findings come as the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency confirmed at least ten people in the UK who used the injections have died from pancreatitis, a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. The country's Royal Osteoporosis Society has also linked weight loss drugs to osteoporosis and increased risk of bone fractures.
News.com.au
17-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Residents warned after toxic mushrooms detected
A deadly mushroom with no known antidote has been found growing in parts of NSW, prompting urgent warnings from health authorities. Amanita phalloides, commonly known as death cap mushrooms, have recently been identified in Sydney, the Southern Highlands and southern NSW. NSW Health is urging residents not to pick or eat wild mushrooms, warning that even a small amount of the highly toxic variety can be fatal. NSW Poisons Information Centre senior specialist Genevieve Adamo said consuming even a small amount could be fatal. 'Symptoms of mushroom poisoning can sometimes be delayed, but early treatment is vital to health outcomes,' Ms Adamo said. 'Initial symptoms may include vomiting and diarrhoea, but in severe cases, it can lead to liver and kidney damage or even death.' Last year, 23 people were hospitalised in NSW due to mushroom poisoning, including two children under the age of five. The NSW Poisons Information Centre also responded to 363 calls related to wild mushroom exposure in NSW and the ACT in 2024, a 26 per cent rise on the previous year. As of May 31 this year, 190 calls had already been received. Botanic Gardens of Sydney chief scientist Brett Summerell warned that foragers should not trust their ability to identify edible mushrooms in the wild. 'There is no easy or reliable way to identify if a wild mushroom is edible or poisonous,' Professor Summerell said. 'Cooking poisonous mushrooms does not make them safe to eat. 'You should only eat mushrooms you buy from a reputable grocery store, supermarket or produce market.' Health authorities say the risks are particularly high for young children, who may unknowingly put mushrooms in their mouths while playing outside. 'Watch your children when they are playing outside, especially around large trees in parks or your garden at home where mushrooms may grow,' Ms Adamo said. 'Remove any mushrooms that may grow to keep your children safe.' NSW Health and local councils have been conducting ongoing surveillance since the initial detection of death caps in the region two years ago. Anyone who suspects they or someone else has consumed a wild mushroom should immediately call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26, even if symptoms are not yet present. In an emergency, call triple-0 or visit the nearest hospital emergency department. If possible, bring a sample of the mushroom or a photo to assist with identification.
