Ozempic Side Effects

For most people, Ozempic is generally safe when taken as directed for Type 2 diabetes. In clinical trials, the most common side effects were mild. The most reported side effect was nausea.

Ozempic has few drug interactions, but because it slows digestion, it may affect the way other medications are absorbed. When taken with insulin or sulfonylureas, it could increase the risk of hypoglycemia.

In animal studies, Ozempic caused abnormalities in fetuses. There isn’t enough data on pregnant women to show if Ozempic can harm an unborn baby. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, make sure you tell your doctor.

Weight loss from Ozempic is also a side effect. Though the drug is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for weight loss, some doctors have prescribed it in overweight and obese people without Type 2 diabetes to help them lose weight.

Common side effects of Ozempic are gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the drug’s prescribing information. Nausea was the most reported side effect in all patients taking Ozempic.

Most people experienced side effects during dose escalation. Dose escalation means increasing the dose of a drug until the maximum dose is reached.

Some side effects occurred more often in people who took a 1 mg dose of Ozempic versus those who took the 0.5 mg dose, suggesting that side effects are dose dependent. For example, nausea occurred in 15.8% of people on the 0.5 mg dose, while it occurred in 20.3% of those on the 1 mg dose.

People who experienced Ozempic weight loss side effects lost an average of 9.3 to 14.1 pounds over the course of 40 weeks on Ozempic.

How Long Do Side Effects Last?

Mild, common side effects typically go away after a few days, though some may last a few weeks. In rare cases, Ozempic side effects may not go away. If side effects are bothersome or last for months, speak to your health care provider.

After stopping Ozempic, it may take a few weeks for the drug to leave the body, especially at the highest dose of 2 mg. In clinical trials, it took about five weeks after the last dose. So even after stopping the medication, you may feel side effects.

Ozempic can cause rare but serious side effects such as allergic reactions, pancreatitis and kidney issues. The drug has a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors, medullary thyroid carcinoma and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Some people may develop immunity to Ozempic. In clinical trials, about 1% of patients treated with Ozempic developed anti-semaglutide antibodies, according to the drug’s prescribing information. Anti-semaglutide antibodies will cause the effectiveness of Ozempic to decrease over time.

Effects of Long-Term Ozempic Use

Some people may suffer chronic side effects from taking Ozempic, especially gastrointestinal effects. At least 10% of patients who start Ozempic or Wegovy have to stop taking the medication because the side effects don’t improve, Dr. Meera Shah, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic, told CBS News.

For some people, nausea and vomiting lead to undereating or malabsorption of nutrients. These side effects may also affect mood and energy levels.

Some evidence suggests Ozempic may lead to suicidal thoughts. In July 2023, the European Medicines Agency announced it would investigate reports of suicidal thoughts and self-harm in people using semaglutide and liraglutide medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Saxenda.

Fast weight loss from Ozempic may lead to sagging, loose skin all over the body, a phenomenon referred to on the internet as “Ozempic face.” Weight loss can lead to loss of facial fat, leaving the face looking older or gaunt.

In August 2023, some patients who experienced serious side effects began filing Ozempic and Mounjaro lawsuits against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. One such patient was Jaclyn Bjorklund, who filed a lawsuit after she experienced severe gastroparesis, also called a paralyzed stomach.

Gastroparesis is a condition that causes food to move too slowly or even stop in the stomach. Bjorklund, who took Ozempic and Mounjaro, had severe vomiting and abdominal pain that led her to be hospitalized. Her lawsuit claims Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly didn’t properly warn patients about the risk of gastroparesis.

Bjorklund’s lawyer, Paul Pennock at Morgan & Morgan, said the firm is investigating more than 500 other semaglutide gastroparesis claims from 45 states.

Some people may be able to prevent Ozempic side effects, such as nausea, by watching what they eat, eating slowly or taking an anti-nausea medication. For most people, these side effects occur during the first few weeks after they begin taking the drug and slowly stop over time.

If you are concerned about sagging skin, or “Ozempic face,” avoid losing weight too fast. For most people, a healthy weight loss is one to two pounds a week. Talk to your health care provider or a nutritionist about managing your Ozempic weight loss to avoid loose skin.

You should see a doctor for Ozempic side effects if they persist and are bothersome or if you are having a serious allergic reaction. Allergic reactions, especially if you have problems breathing, are medical emergencies.

Ozempic may also cause side effects that are signs of a more serious problem that requires medical attention.

Ozempic has an FDA boxed warning for potential thyroid tumors or cancers. If you develop swelling in your neck, feel a lump in your neck, develop hoarseness, have trouble swallowing or experience shortness of breath, see your doctor right away. These symptoms may be signs of thyroid issues.