Nearly 50 % of individuals beginning Ozempic expertise unwanted side effects. Most Ozempic unwanted side effects are delicate and disappear over time or with changes to the dose.
Frequent Ozempic unwanted side effects
A 2022 medical trial on the Mayo Clinic Well being System learning Ozempic’s effectiveness as a weight reduction drug discovered that just about half of all individuals skilled adversarial results.
| Ozempic Aspect Results | Share of Examine Individuals |
|---|---|
| Any facet impact | 48.6% |
| Nausea and/or vomiting | 36.6% |
| Diarrhea | 8.6% |
| Fatigue | 6.3% |
| Constipation | 5.7 |
| Belly ache | 5.1% |
| Headache | 2.9% |
| Acid reflux disorder | 2.3% |
Severity of frequent unwanted side effects
Whereas most unwanted side effects are delicate, 11.5% of research individuals had extreme sufficient adversarial results that they needed to modify their Ozempic dose or discontinue the treatment.
| Aspect Impact Severity | Share of Examine Individuals |
|---|---|
| None | 51.4% |
| Gentle | 37.1% |
| Reasonable | 8.6% |
| Extreme | 2.9% |
Gentle meant that the particular person may proceed taking Ozempic as regular.
Reasonable meant that the particular person needed to cut back their Ozempic dose.
Extreme meant that the particular person needed to cease taking Ozempic.
How lengthy does it take for frequent unwanted side effects to cease?
Gentle gastrointestinal unwanted side effects usually disappear inside a couple of days or perhaps weeks as your physique will get used to the medication. In the event that they last more than this or are extreme, communicate along with your healthcare supplier.
In the event you cease taking the medication, chances are you’ll proceed to really feel unwanted side effects for a couple of weeks because it leaves your system.
The way to cut back or alleviate frequent unwanted side effects
Most typical unwanted side effects are gastrointestinal (stomach-related), so it’s a good suggestion to keep away from meals, drugs, and actions that may upset your abdomen.
- Keep away from greasy, fried, and really candy meals
- Eat bland meals, comparable to crackers, rice, and toast
- Eat meals containing water, comparable to soups and gelatin
- Eat extra frequent, smaller meals
- Eat slowly
- Don’t lie down after consuming
- Keep hydrated by consuming unsweetened chilly drinks (comparable to water)
- Watch out with synthetic sweeteners and sugar alcohols
- Take anti-nausea treatment (solely after speaking to your physician)
In case your unwanted side effects are extreme or persist after a couple of days, speak to your physician about adjusting your dose.
Notice: Following the approval of a drugs by the FDA, the company continues to observe its unwanted side effects. Must you expertise any adversarial results from utilizing Ozempic, you might be inspired to report them to the FDA by their MedWatch program.
Uncommon however severe Ozempic unwanted side effects
Ozempic may cause uncommon however severe unwanted side effects.
Thyroid most cancers
Ozempic has an FDA warning for thyroid C-cell tumors (thyroid most cancers).
The priority relating to thyroid tumors relies on the outcomes of research utilizing Ozempic and comparable drugs in animal research. On this analysis, some rats and mice developed thyroid tumors, a few of which have been cancerous. It’s not recognized if Ozempic has this impact in people.
Regulatory authorities are monitoring the U.S. annual incidence of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) to find out if individuals taking Ozempic usually tend to develop this most cancers (outcomes anticipated 2035 – 2037).
Inform your healthcare supplier if you happen to expertise signs of thyroid most cancers, comparable to:
- A lump or swelling in your neck
- Hoarseness
- Bother swallowing
- Shortness of breath
Don’t use Ozempic if you happen to or anybody in your loved ones have ever had MTC, or in case you have an endocrine system situation referred to as A number of Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome sort 2 (MEN 2).
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a medical situation by which the pancreas turns into infected, inflicting intense ache and affecting the pancreas’s capability to secrete insulin.
In medical research, a couple of individuals did develop pancreatitis whereas taking Ozempic. Nevertheless, In two separate massive research, individuals taking Ozempic didn’t develop pancreatitis extra usually than these taking a placebo.
The scientific consensus is, due to this fact, that there isn’t a direct proof that Ozempic may cause pancreatitis.
It’s value noting that folks with sort 2 diabetes have an virtually threefold danger of pancreatitis, whether or not they take Ozempic or not.
Cease utilizing Ozempic and name your healthcare supplier immediately in case you have signs of pancreatitis, together with:
- Vomiting
- Extreme ache within the higher a part of your stomach that travels to your again
- Your stomach is tender to the contact
- Fast pulse
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis (additionally referred to as delayed gastric emptying and abdomen paralysis) is a dysfunction that slows or stops the motion of meals from the abdomen to the small gut, although there isn’t a blockage.
If meals stays within the abdomen too lengthy, bacterial overgrowth can happen because the meals ferments.
The American Diabetes Affiliation additionally notes that meals can harden into stable plenty referred to as bezoars, resulting in nausea, vomiting, and probably harmful and even life-threatening obstructions within the abdomen.
As a result of certainly one of Ozempic’s main (and intentional) results is to gradual the velocity at which meals leaves the abdomen and enters the intestines, it’s suspected that this will, in some circumstances, result in gastroparesis.
One research led by researchers at College Hospitals in Cleveland discovered that individuals who have been prescribed a GLP-1 treatment for weight reduction – comparable to semaglutide (branded as Ozempic and Wegovy), exenatide (Byetta), and liraglutide (Victoza) have been considerably extra prone to be identified with gastroparesis at the least six months later.
Cease utilizing Ozempic and name your healthcare supplier immediately in case you have signs of gastroparesis, together with:
- Nausea or vomiting after consuming
- Feeling full after consuming solely a small quantity
- Extreme bloating after meals
- Ache within the higher abdomen (epigastric ache)
- Gradual, unexplained weight reduction
- Lack of urge for food
- Abdomen wall spasms and cramping
Kidney injury
Solely one of many authentic SUSTAIN trials reported an occasion of acute kidney failure.
In a newer FLOW medical trial involving adults with sort 2 diabetes and power kidney illness, Ozempic really lowered the danger of kidney disease-related occasions by 24%.
On this trial, individuals taking Ozempic have been much less prone to expertise at the least one of many following:
- Lack of 50% or extra of their kidney operate
- Kidney failure
- Dialysis
- Kidney transplant
- Demise from kidney illness
- Demise from heart problems
Subsequently, it’s protected to imagine that Ozempic doesn’t improve the danger of kidney injury. The truth is, it could be a possible a part of the treatment.
Momentary imaginative and prescient modifications
Based on the American Academy of Opthalmology, short-term imaginative and prescient modifications, comparable to blurry imaginative and prescient, are anticipated when beginning Ozempic.
When blood sugar ranges change, it may well have an effect on the form of the attention’s lens, which causes blurry imaginative and prescient.
As a result of certainly one of Ozempic’s primary advantages for individuals with sort 2 diabetes is decreasing blood sugars, chances are you’ll expertise blurry imaginative and prescient till your blood sugars stabilize at a brand new degree.
The older you might be, the extra possible you might be to expertise blurred imaginative and prescient when starting the treatment. The attention’s lens turns into much less versatile as we age, so imaginative and prescient takes longer to stabilize when blood sugar ranges change.
Diabetic retinopathy
Research inspecting the connection between Ozempic (semaglutide) and diabetic retinopathy have been inconclusive.
One research discovered an elevated danger of retinopathy problems in sufferers, which is why Ozempic labels now embody warnings concerning the danger of imaginative and prescient modifications.
Nevertheless, later research discovered no affiliation between semaglutide and retinopathy, and a few research have even indicated that semaglutide may assist stop retinopathy.
The present consensus is that Ozempic is unlikely to trigger or worsen retinopathy, and if it does, it’s in all probability linked to modifications in blood glucose ranges, not the drug itself.
Blinding eye illness
One new research suggests a connection between Ozempic and elevated danger for a blinding eye illness referred to as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
Nevertheless, Dr. Joseph Rizzo, the senior research writer, emphasizes that the research exhibits an affiliation reasonably than proving causation and that additional research are wanted.
The present suggestion from consultants is that most individuals shouldn’t be involved about this, however that folks with current imaginative and prescient issues ought to seek the advice of with their physician earlier than taking Ozempic.
Gallbladder points
Some individuals taking Ozempic have developed gallbladder irritation (cholecystitis) or gallstones. It’s at present unclear if that is associated to the drug.
Inform your healthcare supplier immediately if you happen to get signs of gallbladder points, which can embody:
- Ache in your higher abdomen (stomach)
- Fever
- Yellowing of the pores and skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Clay-colored stools.
Allergic reactions
Some individuals (lower than 1% of individuals within the medical trial) had pores and skin reactions the place the drug was injected. They included ache, redness, and discomfort, which usually went away on their very own or after icing or taking Ibuprofen.
In uncommon circumstances, Ozempic may cause a extreme allergic response. Cease utilizing Ozempic and get medical assist immediately in case you have any signs of a severe allergic response, together with:
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Issues respiratory or swallowing
- Abdomen ache, bloating, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Extreme rash or itching
- Fainting or feeling dizzy
- Very speedy heartbeat.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
In the event you stay with diabetes and use Ozempic together with insulin or different diabetes drugs, it may well improve the danger of hypoglycemia.
Signs of hypoglycemia range from individual to individual, however frequent signs to look at for embody:
- intense starvation
- chills or sweating
- shakiness
- confusion or clumsiness
- blurry imaginative and prescient
- Slurred speech
You must all the time have meals that may shortly increase your blood sugar out there in case it is advisable deal with hypoglycemia. Good choices are juice, glucose tabs, or sugar sweet like jellybeans.
It’s additionally a fantastic concept to have nasal glucagon (Baqsimi) out there to deal with extraordinarily extreme hypoglycemia the place glucose tabs gained’t work shortly sufficient.
You probably have extreme hypoglycemia and are afraid you’ll move out, name 911 or your native emergency quantity.
Psychological well being points and suicidal ideas
There have been studies of individuals having suicidal ideas after taking GLP-1 receptor agonists (the drug class that features Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and many others.), and The Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) stated in 2023 that they have been “evaluating the necessity for regulatory motion.”
Nevertheless, a 2024 research funded by the Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH) discovered no hyperlink between semaglutide and suicidal ideas.
The truth is, the research discovered that “semaglutide is related to a 49% to 73% decrease danger of first-time or recurring suicidal ideations in comparison with different drugs for controlling weight problems and sort 2 diabetes”.
Weight reduction is each a aim and a facet impact
In medical trials for Ozempic, individuals misplaced a mean of about 15 % of their physique weight.
That is an meant impact, however it might not be good for you if you happen to don’t have to drop some pounds.
It’s additionally necessary to remember that not all weight misplaced from taking Ozempic can be fats. Research disagree on how a lot muscle mass (and even bone density) could also be misplaced as nicely, however at the least some muscle loss is definite to happen.
Together with resistance coaching in your therapy and train plan is extremely really helpful to keep away from muscle loss.
Getting “Ozempic Face” after speedy weight reduction
Fast and vital weight reduction, whether or not from drugs or different elements, can result in modifications in bodily look.
One in all these is modifications in facial contours, or what’s colloquially generally known as “Ozempic face.”
- A hollowed look and wrinkles within the face
- Sunken eyes and sagging jowls across the jaw and neck.
- Modifications within the measurement of the lips, cheeks, and chin
The identical factor can occur to different elements of your physique once you drop some pounds quickly.
Although that is referred to as “Ozempic face,” it’s not brought on by the Ozempic however by the speedy weight reduction.
In the event you expertise regarding modifications in your bodily look whereas taking Ozempic, it’s necessary to seek the advice of along with your medical workforce. They could advocate decreasing your Ozempic dose and slowing down the tempo of weight reduction.
Ozempic, being pregnant, and contraception
The security of Ozempic when pregnant or breastfeeding has not been totally studied, however Animal research recommend that there could also be some danger to the fetus if Ozempic is used throughout being pregnant. Ozempic may additionally be current in breast milk.
It’s due to this fact really helpful that you simply cease utilizing Ozempic at the least 2 months earlier than turning into pregnant and don’t begin it once more till you cease breastfeeding.
As a result of Ozempic impacts how shortly meals and medicine are absorbed in your abdomen (and since vomiting is a standard facet impact), it could affect the effectiveness of contraception drugs.
There isn’t any printed analysis or research on semaglutide and contraception, however there are anecdotal tales of individuals getting pregnant whereas utilizing contraception drugs and taking Ozempic.
You might contemplate speaking to your physician about utilizing different types of contraception whereas taking Ozempic.
When to name your physician or go to the hospital
You must instantly search medical consideration in case you have:
- Extreme vomiting and diarrhea
- Extreme ache or tenderness in your stomach
- Lack of ability to move fuel or transfer your bowels
- Jaundice (yellow pores and skin coloration)
- Allergic reactions on the injection web site
Generally, it’s a good suggestion to inform your physician that you’re taking Ozempic or one other GLP-1 drug. These medication are new, and information of dangers and unwanted side effects continues to be enhancing.
Your physician can be higher in a position to diagnose any well being issues and advise you on different drugs and therapy choices in the event that they know you’re taking Ozempic.
Incessantly requested questions
Does Ozempic trigger long-term unwanted side effects?
There aren’t any recognized long-term unwanted side effects of Ozempic moreover those listed above, however the drug has not been broadly out there for various years, so the long-term security profile shouldn’t be absolutely recognized.
Can Ozempic trigger hair loss?
Hair loss was not reported as a facet impact in any of the medical trials for Ozempic or Wegovy.
Nevertheless, speedy weight reduction can generally result in hair loss, and sufferers with diabetes and excessive blood sugar are at larger danger of hair loss on the whole.
How does Ozempic have an effect on the center?
A 2023 medical trial confirmed that semaglutide can cut back the danger of main coronary heart and blood vessel occasions, together with coronary heart assault, stroke, or cardiovascular demise, by as much as 20 %.
Ozempic has no recognized dangerous results on the center or blood vessels and will develop into a standard treatment for decreasing the danger of coronary heart assault and treating coronary heart illness sooner or later.
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