Reports of poisoning linked to injectable weight loss medications have nearly doubled in the Netherlands within a year, rising from 149 in 2023 to 76 in the first half of 2024 alone, according to the National Poisons Information Centre (NVIC). A significant proportion of these cases – 40 percent – involved medications obtained without a prescription. Experts at UMC Utrecht warn that the actual number of poisonings is likely higher, as many incidents go unreported to medical professionals or the NVIC. The increase coincides with a growing trend of individuals using weight loss drugs, estimated at over 80,000 people, including both prescribed medications like Ozempic and self-sourced products. Concerns are mounting over the unregulated use of these drugs, initially intended for diabetes or obesity treatment, fueled by social media influence and a decline in trust in medical expertise. The NVIC provides crucial information to healthcare professionals regarding the treatment of acute poisonings, highlighting the need for increased awareness and caution.