Ozempic Side Effects (And How to Manage Them)

Nearly 50% of individuals beginning Ozempic expertise unwanted effects. Most Ozempic unwanted effects are gentle and disappear over time.

Widespread Ozempic Facet Results

A 2022 medical trial on the Mayo Clinic Well being System, which research the effectiveness of Ozempic as a weight reduction drug, discovered that just about half of all members skilled unfavourable results.

Severity of frequent unwanted effects

Though most unwanted effects have been gentle, 11.5% of examine members had sufficiently extreme opposed results, they usually needed to regulate the ounce choose dose or discontinue the treatment.

Delicate It meant that the particular person might proceed taking Ozempic as regular.

Average That meant that particular person needed to cut back the dose of Ozempic.

strict That meant that particular person needed to cease taking Ozempic.

How lengthy does it take for the frequent unwanted effects to cease?

Delicate gastrointestinal unwanted effects usually go away inside days or perhaps weeks as soon as the physique will get used to the treatment. In the event that they last more than this or are critical, discuss to your healthcare supplier.

When you cease taking your treatment, it’s possible you’ll depart the system and proceed to expertise unwanted effects for weeks.

Find out how to cut back or cut back frequent unwanted effects

The commonest facet impact is the gastrointestinal (gastric-related), so it is suggested to keep away from meals, medicines and results that may shake the abdomen.

• Keep away from fatty, fried, very candy meals
• Eat bland meals like crackers, rice, and toast
• Eat meals containing water equivalent to soups and gelatin
• Eat smaller meals extra often
• Eat slowly
• Do not lie down after consuming
• Drink chilly, unsweetened drinks (equivalent to water) to remain hydrated
• Watch out for synthetic sweeteners and sugar alcohols
• Take antiuric medicines (solely after speaking to your physician)

If the unwanted effects are critical or persist after a number of days, seek the advice of your physician about adjusting your dose.

Be aware: Following FDA approval of treatment, the company continues to watch unwanted effects. When you expertise any opposed results from utilizing Ozempic, we advocate reporting it to the FDA by the MedWatch program.

Uncommon however critical unwanted effects of Ozempic

Ozempic may cause uncommon however critical unwanted effects.

Thyroid most cancers

Ozempic has an FDA warning for thyroid C-cell tumors (thyroid most cancers).

Thyroid tumor issues are based mostly on the outcomes of research utilizing Ozempic and related medication in animal research. On this examine, some rats and mice developed thyroid tumors, a few of which have been most cancers. It’s unknown whether or not Ozempic has this impact on people.

Regulators are monitoring the annual incidence of medullary thyroid most cancers (MTC) in the US to find out whether or not folks taking Ozempic usually tend to develop the most cancers (outcomes 2035-2037).

Inform your healthcare supplier if you happen to expertise any of the next thyroid most cancers signs:

• Lumps and swelling within the neck
• Ho respect
• Issue swallowing
• shortness of breath

Don’t use Ozempic if you happen to or somebody in your loved ones had MTC or when you’ve got a number of endocrine system circumstances referred to as endocrine neoplastic syndrome sort 2 (male 2).

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis It’s a situation that causes the pancreas to change into infected, inflicting extreme ache, and impacts the pancreas’ capability to secrete insulin.

in Medical analysisa number of folks developed pancreatitis whereas taking Ozempic. Nonetheless, two separate Massive-scale analysisfolks taking Ozempic had much less frequent pancreatitis than folks taking placebo.

Due to this fact, the scientific consensus is that there isn’t a direct proof that Ozempic may cause pancreatitis.

It’s value noting that folks with sort 2 diabetes are at virtually thrice extra threat than pancreatitis, whether or not they’re taking Ozempic or not.

Cease utilizing Ozempic and if you’re experiencing pancreatitis signs, name your healthcare supplier instantly.

• vomiting
• Extreme ache within the higher abdomen transferring to the again
• Your stomach is mushy to the touch
• Fast Pulse

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis (also called delayed gastric content material and gastroparesis) is an impediment that slows or stops meals motion from the abdomen to the small gut regardless of the absence of obstruction.

If meals stays within the abdomen for a very long time, it might result in bacterial overgrowth as meals fermentation.

The American Diabetes Affiliation additionally factors out that meals can cling to strong lots referred to as bezoles, resulting in nausea, vomiting, and probably harmful and probably life-threatening obstruction.

That is suspected in some circumstances that this could result in gastric failure, as one of many main (and intentional) results of Ozempic is to gradual the speed at which meals leaves the abdomen and enters the intestines.

One examine, led by researchers at a College Hospital in Cleveland, discovered that individuals who have been prescribed GLP-1 medicines for weight reduction (branded as Ozenpic and Wegovi), exenatide (Vietta), liraglutide (Victoza), and others who have been prescribed for weight reduction have been considerably extra prone to be identified with gastroenterological illness at the least six months later.

Cease utilizing Ozempic and if you’re experiencing signs of abdomen deficiency, name your well being care supplier instantly.

• Nausea and vomiting after consuming
• I really feel full after consuming solely a small quantity
• Extreme bloating after meals
• Higher abdomen ache (higher belly ache)
• Gradual and unexplained dose discount
• Lack of urge for food
• Convulsions and convulsions within the abdomen wall

Kidney harm

Solely one of many unique maintain checks reported circumstances of acute renal failure.

More moderen Stream medical trials Involving adults with sort 2 diabetes and continual kidney illness, Ozempic really decreased the chance of kidney disease-related occasions by 24%.

On this trial, folks taking Ozempic have been much less prone to expertise at the least one of many following:

• Greater than 50% lack of renal operate
• Kidney failure
• Dialysis
• Kidney Transplantation
• Loss of life from kidney illness
• Loss of life as a result of heart problems

Due to this fact, it’s protected to imagine that Ozempic doesn’t improve the chance of kidney harm. In truth, it might be a possible a part of the therapy.

Momentary imaginative and prescient modifications

In line with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, when beginning Ozempic, non permanent imaginative and prescient modifications equivalent to blurry visions are anticipated.

Adjustments in blood sugar ranges can have an effect on the form of your eye lens, leading to blurry imaginative and prescient.

One of many primary advantages of ozempic for folks with sort 2 diabetes is to decrease blood sugar ranges, so it’s possible you’ll expertise blurred imaginative and prescient till your blood sugar ranges stabilize at a brand new stage.

The older you get, the extra possible you’ll expertise blurry imaginative and prescient when beginning medication. Eye lenses change into much less versatile as they age, so if blood sugar ranges change, it takes longer on your imaginative and prescient to stabilize.

Diabetic retinopathy

Research analyzing the connection between ozenpic (semaglutide) and diabetic retinopathy are inconclusive.

One examine discovered an elevated threat of retinopathy issues in sufferers. Due to this fact, the Ozempic label comprises warnings in regards to the threat of imaginative and prescient modifications.

Nonetheless, later research have discovered no affiliation between semaglutide and retinopathy, and a few research have proven that semaglutide may help forestall retinopathy.

The present consensus is that it’s unlikely that Ozempic will trigger or exacerbate retinopathy, and if that’s the case, it’s in all probability associated to modifications in blood glucose ranges, not the drug itself.

A blinding eye illness

One new examine suggests an affiliation between ozempic and an elevated threat of blind eye illness referred to as non-arterial preischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

Nonetheless, senior analysis creator Dr. Joseph Rizzo emphasizes that the examine exhibits a connection somewhat than confirmed causality, and that additional analysis is required.

The present advice from specialists is that whereas most individuals shouldn’t fear about this, folks with current imaginative and prescient issues ought to seek the advice of their physician earlier than taking Ozempic.

Gallbladder issues

Some folks taking Ozempic have developed cholecystitis (cholecystitis) or gallstones. It’s at the moment unknown whether or not that is drug-related.

When you expertise signs of gallbladder issues, inform your healthcare supplier instantly.

• Your higher abdomen ache (stomach)
• warmth
• Yellowish brown (yellow) pores and skin and eyes
• Clay-colored stool.

Allergic reactions

Some folks (lower than 1% of individuals in medical trials) had a pores and skin response by which the drug was injected. They often included ache, redness and discomfort on their very own or after taking ice or ibuprofen.

In uncommon circumstances, ozempics may cause extreme allergic reactions. Cease utilizing Ozempic and cease looking for medical help instantly when you’ve got signs of a critical allergic response.

• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Respiration and swallowing issues
• Abdomen ache, bloating, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Extreme rash or itching
• I faint and get dizzy
• Very fast heartbeat.

Hypoglycemia (Hypoglycemia)

Residing with diabetes and utilizing ozenpic with insulin or different diabetic medicines can improve the chance of hypoglycemia.

Signs of hypoglycemia fluctuate from individual to individual, however the next are frequent signs to concentrate on:

• A violent starvation
• Chills or sweating
• Shakakkes
• Confusion and clumsiness
• Haze
• Unclear speech

You need to all the time have meals that may rapidly increase your blood sugar ranges in case you must deal with hypoglycemia. An excellent possibility is sugar candies like juice, glucose tabs or jelly beans.

It is usually an excellent concept to make nasal glucagon (baqsimi) out there to deal with very extreme hypoglycemia that does not operate rapidly sufficient.

When you have extreme hypoglycemia and are afraid of fainting, name your 911 or native emergency quantity.

Psychological well being points and suicidal ideas

There have been reviews of people that have suicidal ideas after taking GLP-1 receptor agonists (drug courses together with Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and others), and in 2023 the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) stated it was “assessing the necessity for regulatory measures.”

Nonetheless, a 2024 examine funded by the Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH) didn’t have a connection between semaglutide and the concept of suicide.

In truth, analysis Discovered “Semaglutide is related to a 49% to 73% decrease threat of first- or relapsing suicidal ideation in comparison with different medication to manage weight problems and kind 2 diabetes.”

Weight reduction is each a aim and a facet impact

Within the Ozempic medical trial, members misplaced a median of roughly 15% of their physique weight.

That is an supposed impact, but it surely might not be good for you if you happen to need not shed extra pounds.

It is usually essential to notice that not all the load misplaced from taking Ozempic is fats. Analysis disagrees about how a lot muscle mass (and bone density) is misplaced, however it’s sure that at the least some muscle loss will happen.

It’s extremely really useful that resistance coaching be included in your therapy and train plans to keep away from muscle loss.

Get “Ozenpic Face” after fast weight reduction

Whether or not it’s medical or as a result of different elements, fast and vital weight reduction can result in modifications in bodily look.

One in all these is a change within the contours of the face, or colloquially often called the “ozenpic face.”

• The dent within the face
• It has sunk eyes, hanging across the jaw and neck.
• Adjustments in lips, cheeks, and chin dimension

The identical can occur to different elements of your physique while you shed extra pounds rapidly.

That is referred to as “Ozempic Face,” however is attributable to fast weight reduction, not by Ozempic.

You will need to seek the advice of along with your healthcare group if you happen to expertise modifications in bodily look whereas taking Ozempic. They might advocate decreasing your ozempic dose and slowing down the tempo of weight reduction.

Ozempic, being pregnant, contraception

The protection of ozempics throughout being pregnant or breastfeeding has not been totally studied, however animal research recommend that if ozempics are used throughout being pregnant, there could also be some threat to the fetus. Ozempic may also be current in breast milk.

Due to this fact, it is suggested that you simply cease utilizing Ozempic at the least two months earlier than changing into pregnant and never begin once more till you cease breastfeeding.

Ozempic can have an effect on the effectiveness of contraceptives as a result of it impacts the velocity at which meals and medication are absorbed into the abdomen (since vomiting is a typical facet impact).

There aren’t any revealed research or research on semaglutide and contraception, however there are anecdotal tales of individuals getting pregnant whereas taking ozenpic utilizing contraceptives.

Whereas taking Ozempic, it’s possible you’ll think about consulting along with your physician about utilizing different types of contraception.

When to name your physician or go to the hospital

When you have one, you need to see a physician instantly.

• Extreme vomiting and diarrhea
• Extreme abdomen ache and tenderness
• Cannot let gasoline go or transfer the intestines
• Yellow (yellow pores and skin shade)
• Allergic reactions on the injection website

Generally, it is suggested to inform your physician that you’re taking Ozempic or one other GLP-1 treatment. These medication are new and data about dangers and unwanted effects continues to be enhancing.

Docs can higher diagnose well being points and advise different medicines and therapy choices in the event that they know they’re taking Ozempic.

FAQ

Does Ozempic trigger long-term unwanted effects?

There aren’t any identified long-term unwanted effects aside from the Ozempic talked about above, however the long-term security profile will not be totally understood as this drug has not been extensively out there for quite a lot of years.

Can Ozempic trigger hair loss?

Hair loss was not reported as a facet impact in both Ozempic or Wegoby medical trials.

Nonetheless, fast weight reduction can result in hair loss, and sufferers with diabetes and hyperglycemia usually have a better threat of hair loss.

How does Ozempic have an effect on the guts?

A 2023 medical trial confirmed that semaglutide can cut back the chance of main cardiac and vascular occasions, together with coronary heart assaults, strokes, or cardiovascular demise by as much as 20%.

Ozempic has no identified dangerous results on the guts or blood vessels, decreasing the chance of a coronary heart assault sooner or later and will change into a typical treatment for the therapy of coronary heart illness.

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