7-Year-Old Hospitalized After Injecting Mother's GLP-1 Weight Loss Medication

Overdoses on injectable weight loss drugs on the rise as popularity of the medications grows

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:47am

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A 7-year-old girl in Indianapolis, Indiana named Jessa Milender was hospitalized twice in one week after injecting herself with her mother's Mounjaro, a GLP-1 weight loss medication. Jessa began vomiting uncontrollably and experienced severe pain, leading to concerns about dehydration and potential kidney failure. While cases like Jessa's are still rare, reports of overdoses on injectable weight loss drugs have increased dramatically in recent years as the medications grow in popularity.

Why it matters

The rise in GLP-1 medication overdoses, including in children, highlights the potential dangers of these powerful weight loss drugs as they become more widely used. As more people turn to these injectable medications, there are more opportunities for accidental or intentional misuse, leading to serious health consequences.

The details

Jessa Milender, a 7-year-old girl in Indianapolis, was hospitalized twice in one week after injecting herself with her mother's Mounjaro, a GLP-1 weight loss medication. After the injection, Jessa began vomiting relentlessly and experienced severe pain, even while sleeping. Doctors worried about dehydration and potential kidney failure. The Indiana Poison Center reports calls involving injectable weight-loss drugs have doubled from 2024 to 2025, hitting 320 in a year. Nationally, America's Poison Centers say reports are up nearly 1,500% since 2019, totaling roughly 23,000 calls. Most cases involve adults overdosing, often taking the medication too frequently or mismeasuring doses.

  • In 2024, the Indiana Poison Center received 160 calls involving injectable weight-loss drugs.
  • In 2025, the Indiana Poison Center received 320 calls involving injectable weight-loss drugs, double the previous year.
  • Nationally, reports involving injectable weight-loss drugs have increased nearly 1,500% since 2019, totaling roughly 23,000 calls.

The players

Jessa Milender

A 7-year-old girl in Indianapolis, Indiana who was hospitalized after injecting herself with her mother's Mounjaro, a GLP-1 weight loss medication.

Indiana Poison Center

A poison control center that has seen a significant increase in calls related to injectable weight-loss drug overdoses.

America's Poison Centers

A national network of poison control centers that has reported a nearly 1,500% increase in calls involving injectable weight-loss drugs since 2019.

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What’s next

Doctors and health officials are likely to continue monitoring the rise in GLP-1 medication overdoses, particularly among children, and may consider implementing new safety measures or public awareness campaigns to prevent future incidents.

The takeaway

The surge in GLP-1 medication overdoses, including in children, underscores the need for greater education and caution around the use of these powerful weight loss drugs as they become more widely available. Proper storage, dosage, and supervision are crucial to prevent accidental or intentional misuse and the serious health consequences that can result.