**Woman Hospitalised After GLP-1 Overdose Following Telehealth Prescription**
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In a cautionary tale highlighting the potential risks of telehealth services, Leslie Gammon, a 54-year-old retired teacher from North Carolina, found herself in the emergency room after a serious dosage error related to GLP-1 medication intended for weight loss. Gammon managed her health issues, including menopause symptoms, by opting for telehealth consultations in lieu of traditional in-person appointments, but her experience ended in an alarming overdose.
Initially, Gammon sought assistance from a telehealth company where she participated in several consultations over Zoom. Instead of receiving a convenient autoinjector pen, she was sent a syringe and vial for self-administration. Over the course of four months, this method resulted in a weight loss of 18 pounds, which she described as a “phenomenal” experience.
In October 2025, following a recommendation from a friend, Gammon transitioned to a different telehealth provider, opting for communication via email with a physician. Once again, she received medication in syringe and vial form. However, after a fortnight, she noticed that the medication was no longer suppressing her appetite as effectively as it had previously. When her latest supply arrived, the provided dosage instructions indicated a significant increase, advising her to inject 46 units instead of her usual 8 units.
Concerned about the sudden increase, Gammon contacted the doctor for clarification. Her apprehension met with reassurance: the doctor’s response instructed her simply to follow the prescribed directions. Against her better judgment, Gammon chose to administer herself a dose of 30 units.
The outcome was dire. Shortly after the injection, she experienced severe vomiting that persisted for approximately two days. The gravity of her condition escalated to the point where her boyfriend had to rush her to hospital. “I wouldn’t stop throwing up, and it was like every 20 minutes,” she recounted. Gammon even quipped to the attending doctor about being put into a coma to escape her suffering.
During her hospital stay, which lasted several days, medical professionals discovered that both her kidney and liver were no longer functioning properly. A team of doctors attributed her symptoms to an overdose of GLP-1 medication, a concerning trend noted by health data. Between 2019 and 2025, reports to the National Poison Data System highlighted a staggering 1,500% increase in calls concerning GLP-1 overdoses and side effects.
Reflecting on her harrowing experience, Gammon accepted that both she and the telehealth physician bore some responsibility. She vowed to abandon GLP-1 medications, adopting a more traditional approach to weight loss through diet and exercise. “I think the doctor made a mistake, but I too have to take responsibility. I should have educated myself more,” she admitted. “I’m not unintelligent; I have a college degree and I should have known better.”
Continuing her recovery, Gammon has encountered significant financial repercussions from her hospitalisation, leaving her with a hospital bill nearing $10,000. “If I’d taken the full dose, they don’t know where I would’ve been,” she reflected, expressing relief that it didn’t escalate further. “I would not wish that on my worst enemy,” she stated, adding that despite her unfortunate experience, no explanation or apology has been forthcoming from the telehealth company.
Gammon’s ordeal serves as a stark warning about the importance of being fully informed when seeking medical treatment through non-traditional routes. With rising numbers of individuals relying on telehealth services for medication management, her story underscores the critical need for comprehensive patient education and vigilant oversight by healthcare professionals to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.