A seven-year-old girl from Indiana, USA, faced a life-threatening medical emergency after accidentally injecting herself with her mother's weight loss medication. Jessa Milender, now eight years old, used a GLP-1 injector pen believing it would alleviate stomach pain, unaware of the severe consequences that would follow.
Critical Hospitalisation Following Medication Error
Jessa administered approximately 60% of her mother's medication dose before developing alarming symptoms that necessitated urgent hospital care. Her mother, Melissa, immediately contacted poison control services and rushed her daughter to the emergency department upon discovering what had happened.
The medication involved, often marketed under brand names like Mounjaro, is primarily used to treat Type 1 diabetes but has gained popularity for weight management purposes. The NHS notes that such medications can cause significant side effects including nausea, indigestion, and constipation, even when used as prescribed.
"Lifeless" and Fighting for Recovery
Medical staff connected Jessa to intravenous fluids to combat the medication's effects, but her condition deteriorated after initial discharge. "I should have never let them discharge her," Melissa later reflected, describing how her daughter began vomiting uncontrollably and couldn't retain even water.
The situation became so dire that Jessa required carrying to the bathroom and "lay lifeless" according to her mother. For six consecutive days, the child couldn't eat, and doctors grew concerned about potential renal failure when she stopped urinating.
Family's Terrifying Vigil
"On Saturday night, we as a family gathered around her, because she was just lying there lifeless," Melissa recounted. The family feared the worst during what she described as "the longest week of our lives."
Jessa eventually made a full recovery, with her mother noting "She's back to Jessa" when asked about her current condition. Remarkably, the child has no memory of the incident itself, telling WHAS11 news: "I thought it was stomach medicine because my mom takes it, and I thought it helped her with her stomach aches."
Safety Warnings and Preventative Measures
Melissa, who purchased the medication for approximately £14 via Amazon, now stores it securely in a locked container away from her daughter's reach. She expressed profound relief that Jessa didn't inject the full dose, stating: "God protected us from the worst and I firmly believe that but I fear it could have been a lot worse."
NHS Guidance on Weight Management Medications
The NHS emphasises crucial safety protocols regarding weight management medicines:
- Only use such medications if specifically recommended by a doctor or pharmacist
- Healthcare professionals must assess individual health needs to determine safety and appropriateness
- These medicines should complement reduced-calorie diets and increased physical activity
- Never take weight management medication not prescribed for you personally
- Unauthorised use can cause serious side effects and may be unsafe
This alarming incident highlights the critical importance of secure medication storage and the potential dangers when powerful pharmaceuticals are accessible to children, even momentarily.
