Recently, an Iowa-based pharma company is dragged in an Ozempic lawsuit, reason? For selling counterfeit Ozempic.What Is Ozempic?Ozempic is a popular drug used for diabetes and weight-loss. Its official website notes that a medicine prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes and it comes in injection of .5mg, 1mg, or 2mg. It is injectable along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. The website also notes that it is the "first and only medicine in its class (GLP-1) proven to help lower the risk of worsening kidney diseases, kidney failure, and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults who also have chronic kidney disease". What Happens When You Consume Counterfeit Ozempic?The presence of fake Ozempic in the market is alarming. They are sold in lower prices, and could cause serious dangers to your life. One of the reasons being that these counterfeit Ozempic drugs may not have undergone the rigorous safety and efficacy testing that genuine medications do. As per the Shapiro Legal Group, in 2023, incidents involving counterfeit Ozempic led to serious health emergencies in the United States.ALSO READ: Iowa-based Pharmacy Faces Charges For Selling Counterfeit Ozempic Three individuals experienced dangerously low blood sugar levels, after using the Ozempic pen. The pen instead contained insulin glargine, a medication used for long-acting blood sugar control in patients with diabetes. As per America's Poison Control Centers, all three of these cases were reported by the same regional poison control center, which meant that there might be a concentrated source of counterfeit Ozempic. The Health Risks Counterfeit Ozempic Puts You AtHypoglycemic ShockThis happens when your blood sugar levels drop dangerously low, and leads to confusion, trembling, heart palpitations, and sweating. Counterfeit Ozempic containing insulin instead of semaglutide can induce this condition unexpectedly in non-diabetics.ComaIt is a deep state of unconsciousness, which can be triggered by severe hypoglycemia.READ: Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic, Mounjaro And Wegovy Under Scrutiny After Deaths And Pancreatitis Reports in UK InfectionsThis can happen if you use non-sterile counterfeit Ozempic injections, which can introduce bacteria into the body. The signs could be redness, swelling, pain, itching, and pus at the injection site.SeizuresThis can happen when your counterfeit Ozempic contains insulin. As a result, it your blood sugar can drop and lead to uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of consciousness, and confusion. How To Identify Counterfeit Ozempic?The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified that counterfeit Ozempic have few features that consumers must be vary about. These include:Lot Number and Serial NumberPen's ScaleLabel QualitySpelling MistakesHow To Check Lot Number And Serial Number For Fake Ozempic?Novo Nordisk, a global health company in its press release noted that Ozempic box that has a lot number PAR0362, and serial number that begins with the first eight digits: 51746517 are not authentic. Novo Nordisk has asked people to report to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in case they come across counterfeit Ozempic. How To Check Pen's Scale For Fake Ozempic?The WHO notes that falsified Ozempic pens may have a scale extending out from the pen when settling the dose. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), under the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Australia also provides photos of extended pen scale on its website. How To Check The Label Quality For Fake Ozempic?FDA has provided photo evidence for consumers to differentiate between a fake and an authentic Ozempic needle, by looking at its label and packaging. What To Look For?In Genuine Needle: The paper tab on the needle is imprinted with the needle lot numberIn Counterfeit Needle: The paper on the needle is imprinted with the Ozempic product carton lot numberIn Genuine Needle: The blue area on the paper tab only contains the lot number and no other text, while the inner needle cover is transparentIn Counterfeit Needle: The blue area on the paper tab has texts written on it and the inner needle cover has a blue transparent colorIn Genuine Needle: The paper tab states NovoFine PlusIn Counterfeit Needle: The paper tab states NovoFine