Ozempic side effects (and how to deal with them)

Nearly 50% of people that begin Ozempic expertise uncomfortable side effects. Most uncomfortable side effects of Ozempic are gentle and disappear with time or with dosage adjustment.

Frequent Ozempic uncomfortable side effects

A 2022 scientific trial carried out at Mayo Clinic Well being System finding out the effectiveness of Ozempic as a weight reduction drug discovered that just about half of all individuals skilled uncomfortable side effects.

Severity of widespread uncomfortable side effects

Though most uncomfortable side effects are gentle, 11.5% of examine individuals skilled uncomfortable side effects extreme sufficient to require an adjustment within the Ozempic dose or discontinuation of the medicine.

Delicate Which means the individual can proceed taking Ozempic as normal.

Reasonably That’s, the individual needed to cut back the dose of Ozempic.

strict That’s, the individual needed to cease taking Ozempic.

How lengthy does it take for widespread uncomfortable side effects to cease?

Delicate gastrointestinal uncomfortable side effects often disappear inside a couple of days or perhaps weeks as your physique will get used to the drug. In case your signs last more or are extreme, contact your well being care supplier.

If you happen to cease taking the drugs, you could proceed to expertise uncomfortable side effects for a number of weeks till the drugs leaves your physique.

Find out how to cut back or cut back widespread uncomfortable side effects

The most typical uncomfortable side effects are gastrointestinal (stomach-related). Subsequently, it’s best to keep away from meals, medicines, and actions that may upset your abdomen.

• Keep away from fatty, fried, and really candy meals
• Consuming bland meals reminiscent of crackers, rice, and toast
• Eat meals that include water, reminiscent of soups and gelatin
• eat smaller meals extra regularly
• eat slowly
• Don’t lie down after consuming
• Keep hydrated by consuming chilly sugar-free drinks (reminiscent of water)
• Watch out with synthetic sweeteners and sugar alcohols
• Take anti-nausea medicine (solely after consulting your physician)

If uncomfortable side effects are extreme or persist after a number of days, ask your physician about adjusting your dose.

Word: After a drug is authorized by the FDA, the company continues to observe its uncomfortable side effects. If you happen to expertise any opposed results from utilizing Ozempic, we encourage you to report them to the FDA by means of the MedWatch program.

Uncommon however critical uncomfortable side effects of Ozempic

Ozempic could cause uncommon however critical uncomfortable side effects.

thyroid most cancers

Ozempic has obtained a warning from the FDA concerning thyroid C-cell tumors (thyroid most cancers).

Issues about thyroid tumors are primarily based on analysis utilizing Ozempic and comparable medication in animal research. On this examine, some rats and mice developed thyroid tumors, a few of which have been cancerous. It’s unknown whether or not Ozempic has this impact in people.

Regulatory companies monitor the annual incidence of medullary thyroid most cancers (MTC) in the USA to find out whether or not folks taking Ozempic usually tend to develop this most cancers ( Outcomes are anticipated from 2035 to 2037).

Inform your well being care supplier if in case you have any of the next signs of thyroid most cancers:

• I’ve a lump or swelling on my neck
• hoarse voice
• dysphagia
• shortness of breath

Don’t use Ozempic if you happen to or anybody in your loved ones has ever had MTC or has an endocrine system illness referred to as a number of endocrine neoplasia syndrome kind 2 (MEN 2) .

pancreatitis

pancreatitis A medical situation by which the pancreas turns into infected, inflicting extreme ache and affecting the pancreas’ potential to secrete insulin.

in scientific analysisA number of folks developed pancreatitis whereas taking Ozempic. Nevertheless, it’s divided into two elements. giant scale analysisfolks taking Ozempic developed pancreatitis no extra usually than folks taking a placebo.

Subsequently, the scientific consensus is that there is no such thing as a direct proof that Ozempic could cause pancreatitis.

It’s value noting that sufferers with kind 2 diabetes have nearly 3 times the chance of pancreatitis, no matter whether or not they’re taking Ozempic.

Cease utilizing Ozempic and speak to your healthcare supplier straight away if in case you have any of the next signs of pancreatitis:

• vomiting
• Extreme ache within the higher stomach that extends to the again
• your abdomen is tender to the contact
• quick pulse

gastroparesis

Gastroparesis (additionally referred to as delayed gastric emptying and gastroparesis) is a dysfunction by which the motion of meals from the abdomen to the small gut slows or stops, although there is no such thing as a obstruction.

If meals stays within the abdomen too lengthy, micro organism can overgrow because the meals ferments.

The American Diabetes Affiliation additionally notes that meals can harden into exhausting lumps referred to as bezoars, which might trigger nausea, vomiting, and even harmful, even life-threatening abdomen blockages.

As a result of one among Ozempic’s most important (and supposed) results is to gradual the speed at which meals leaves the abdomen and enters the intestines, it’s suspected that this will likely trigger gastroparesis in some circumstances. I’m.

A examine led by researchers at College Hospitals in Cleveland discovered that individuals prescribed GLP-1 medication for weight reduction, reminiscent of semaglutide (model names Ozempic and Wegovy), exenatide (Byetta), and liraglutide (Victoza), It seems that this chance is extraordinarily excessive. Gastroparesis is recognized after at the least 6 months.

Cease utilizing Ozempic and speak to your healthcare supplier straight away if in case you have any of the next signs of gastroparesis:

• Nausea or vomiting after consuming
• Feeling full simply by consuming a small quantity
• Extreme bloating after consuming
• Ache within the higher a part of the abdomen (epigastric ache)
• Gradual, unexplained weight reduction
• lack of urge for food
• Spasms and spasms of the abdomen wall

kidney injury

Just one case of acute renal failure was reported within the unique SUSTAIN trial.

extra lately FLOW scientific trial In adults with kind 2 diabetes and continual kidney illness, Ozempic really lowered the chance of kidney disease-related occasions by 24%.

On this trial, individuals who took Ozempic have been much less more likely to expertise at the least one of many following:

• Lack of 50% or extra of renal perform
• renal failure
• dialysis
• kidney transplant
• demise as a consequence of kidney illness
• Demise from heart problems

Subsequently, it’s secure to imagine that Ozempic doesn’t improve the chance of kidney injury. In reality, it could be a part of the remedy.

momentary imaginative and prescient modifications

In keeping with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, momentary imaginative and prescient modifications, reminiscent of blurred imaginative and prescient, could be anticipated if you begin Ozempic.

Adjustments in blood sugar ranges have an effect on the form of the attention’s lens, inflicting blurred imaginative and prescient.

One of many most important advantages of Ozempic for folks with kind 2 diabetes is that it lowers blood sugar ranges, so imaginative and prescient could grow to be blurred till blood sugar ranges stabilize at a brand new degree.

The older you might be, the extra possible you might be to expertise blurred imaginative and prescient if you begin taking the medicine. As we age, the lens of our eyes turns into much less versatile, so it takes longer for imaginative and prescient to stabilize when blood sugar ranges change.

diabetic retinopathy

Research investigating the connection between Ozempic (semaglutide) and diabetic retinopathy have been inconclusive.

One examine discovered an elevated threat of retinopathy problems in sufferers, so Ozempic’s label now features a warning concerning the threat of imaginative and prescient modifications.

Nevertheless, subsequent research have discovered no affiliation between semaglutide and retinopathy, and a few research have even proven that semaglutide could assist forestall retinopathy.

The present consensus is that Ozempic is unlikely to trigger or worsen retinopathy, and if it does, it’s in all probability associated to modifications in blood sugar ranges fairly than the drug itself.

eye illness that causes blindness

A brand new examine suggests a hyperlink between Ozempic and an elevated threat of a blinding eye illness referred to as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

Nevertheless, the examine’s senior creator, Dr. Joseph Rizzo, burdened that the examine confirmed an affiliation fairly than proving causation and that extra analysis was wanted.

Specialists’ present advice is that most individuals don’t want to fret about this, however folks with present 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) and gallstones. It’s unknown at the moment whether or not that is associated to this drug.

Inform your well being care supplier straight away if you happen to expertise any of the next signs of gallbladder issues:

• ache within the epigastrium (stomach)
• warmth
• Yellowing of the pores and skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Clay-colored stools.

allergic response

Some folks (lower than 1% of scientific trial individuals) developed pores and skin reactions the place the drug was injected. These embody ache, redness, and discomfort, which often go away on their very own or after icing or taking ibuprofen.

In uncommon circumstances, Ozempic could cause extreme allergic reactions. Cease utilizing Ozempic and search quick medical consideration if in case you have any signs of a critical allergic response, together with:

• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat
• respiration or swallowing issues
• Abdomen ache, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea
• Extreme rash or itching
• really feel faint or dizzy
• Coronary heart price could be very quick.

Hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia)

When you have diabetes and use Ozempic with insulin or different diabetes medicines, your threat of hypoglycemia could improve.

Signs of hypoglycemia differ from individual to individual, however widespread signs to look at for are:

• extreme starvation
• chills or sweating
• trembling
• confusion or clumsiness
• blurred imaginative and prescient
• slurred speech

It is best to at all times have meals available that rapidly elevate blood sugar ranges in case that you must deal with hypoglycemia. Juice, glucose tabs, or sugary sweets like jelly beans are good choices.

It’s also an incredible concept to have intranasal glucagon (Baqsimi) accessible to deal with very extreme hypoglycemia the place glucose tablets will not be efficient sufficient.

When you have extreme hypoglycemia and are anxious that you could be move out, name 911 or your native emergency quantity.

Psychological well being points and suicidal ideas

There have been reviews of individuals having suicidal ideas after taking GLP-1 receptor agonists (a drug class that features Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and others), main the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) to state in 2023 that: . Regulatory measures are wanted. ”

Nevertheless, a 2024 examine funded by the Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH) discovered no hyperlink between semaglutide and suicidal ideation.

In reality, in that examine, Discovered “Semaglutide is related to a 49% to 73% decrease threat of first-time or recurrent suicidal ideation in comparison with different medication to manage weight problems and sort 2 diabetes.”

Weight reduction is each a aim and a facet impact.

In scientific trials of Ozempic, individuals misplaced a median of about 15% of their physique weight.

Though that is the supposed impact, it might not be good if you happen to needn’t shed pounds.

It’s also necessary to notice that not all the weight misplaced by consuming Ozempic will flip into fats. Though research disagree on how a lot muscle mass (and even bone density) is misplaced, it’s sure that at the least some muscle loss happens.

It’s extremely really useful to incorporate resistance coaching in your therapy and train plan to keep away from muscle loss.

Get the “Ozempik face” by means of speedy weight reduction

Sudden and important weight reduction, whether or not as a consequence of medicines or different components, can result in modifications in look.

One is the change in facial contours, or what’s colloquially generally known as the “Ozempic face.”

• A clean expression and wrinkles on the face
• Sunken eyes and drooping of the chin and across the neck.
• Adjustments within the measurement of lips, cheeks, and chin

If you happen to shed pounds rapidly, the identical can occur in different elements of your physique.

That is referred to as “Ozempic face,” however it isn’t attributable to Ozempic, however by speedy weight reduction.

If you happen to expertise any worrying modifications in your well being whereas taking Ozempic, you will need to seek the advice of your well being care group. They could suggest reducing your Ozempic dosage and slowing the tempo of weight reduction.

Ozempic, being pregnant, contraception

The security of Ozempic throughout being pregnant or breastfeeding has not been properly studied, however animal research counsel that there could also be some threat to the fetus if Ozempic is used throughout being pregnant. . Ozempic may be current in breast milk.

Subsequently, it’s endorsed that you just cease utilizing Ozempic at the least 2 months earlier than being pregnant and don’t begin utilizing it once more till you might have stopped breastfeeding.

As a result of Ozempic impacts how rapidly meals and drugs are absorbed into the abdomen (and since vomiting is a standard facet impact), it could have an effect on the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.

Though there are not any revealed research or research concerning semaglutide and contraception, there are anecdotes of being pregnant occurring whereas utilizing contraceptives or whereas taking Ozempic.

You might contemplate asking your physician about different strategies of contraception whereas taking Ozempic.

When do you have to name your physician or go to the hospital?

It is best to see a health care provider instantly if in case you have the next signs:

• extreme vomiting and diarrhea
• Extreme ache or tenderness within the stomach
• Lack of ability to move fuel or transfer the intestines
• Jaundice (yellow pores and skin shade)
• Allergic response on the injection web site

On the whole, 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 data about dangers and uncomfortable side effects remains to be evolving.

In case your physician is aware of you’re taking Ozempic, she or he can higher diagnose your well being drawback and advise you about different medicines and therapy choices.

FAQ

Does Ozempic trigger long-term uncomfortable side effects?

There are not any different recognized long-term uncomfortable side effects of Ozempic, however the drug has not been extensively accessible for various years, so its long-term security profile will not be fully recognized.

Can Ozempic trigger hair loss?

Hair loss was not reported as a facet impact in Ozempic or Wegovy scientific trials.

Nevertheless, speedy weight reduction can result in hair loss, and other people with diabetes and excessive blood sugar are typically at greater threat for hair loss.

What impact does Ozempic have on the guts?

A 2023 scientific trial confirmed that semaglutide can cut back the chance of main cardiac and vascular occasions reminiscent of coronary heart assault, stroke, and cardiovascular demise by as much as 20 p.c.

Ozempic has no recognized dangerous results on the guts or blood vessels, so it might grow to be a standard drug sooner or later to decrease the chance of coronary heart assaults and deal with coronary heart illness.

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