Ozempic unwanted effects: 10 adversarial results

Resulting from its position in managing diabetes, Ozempic, the model identify for the treatment semaglutide, is gaining a number of consideration. It’s also recognized for being an efficient weight reduction drug. However the advantages are sometimes accompanied by adversarial results. A few of them, together with nausea and constipation, are fairly frequent. However the listing is solely rising, with some experiencing adversarial results like Ozempic face and hair loss. So, earlier than taking the weekly photographs to handle sort 2 diabetes and drop pounds, get to know concerning the Ozempic unwanted effects.

What are the advantages of Ozempic?

Earlier than shifting on to Ozempic unwanted effects, undergo its advantages:

1. Blood sugar management

This treatment improves blood sugar regulation by mimicking the pure hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). “It stimulates the discharge of insulin, which is a hormone that lowers blood glucose, and reduces the discharge of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood glucose,” explains endocrinologist Dr Sandeep Kharb.

2. Weight reduction

It is likely one of the standard weight reduction medicine, regardless that it isn’t authorised by the US Meals and Drug Administration for this function. “It acts on areas of the mind concerned in urge for food regulation, notably the hypothalamus, which helps scale back starvation and meals cravings,” says the knowledgeable.

3. Might assist enhance liver well being

Research are being performed on the advantages of Ozempic. One such examine, printed in The New England Journal Of Medication in April 2025, confirmed that semaglutide might help to enhance liver well being in individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, which is a kind of liver illness.

What are the Ozempic unwanted effects?

Listed below are a few of the Ozempic unwanted effects:

1. Nausea

A gastrointestinal difficulty reminiscent of nausea is likely one of the frequent adversarial results of semaglutide, in line with analysis printed in Frontiers In Public Well being. “It happens as a result of the drugs slows down gastric emptying, which might make customers really feel overly full. It’s normally distinguished whereas beginning the treatment and tends to subside inside a couple of weeks because the physique adapts,” says Dr Kharb.

2. Vomiting

Vomiting, one of many Ozempic unwanted effects, is usually linked to the identical mechanism inflicting nausea. “This implies delayed abdomen emptying and adjustments within the intestine perform can result in vomiting,” says the knowledgeable. The episodes normally reduce with continued use and dose adjustment.

3. Diarrhea

This occurs as a consequence of adjustments in gastrointestinal motility (the motion of meals from the mouth via the throat, abdomen, intestines, and out of the physique) brought on by the load loss drug. It tends to be delicate to reasonable in depth and normally resolves inside a couple of weeks.

4. Constipation

If not diarrhea, some individuals might expertise constipation. Slowed bowel actions could also be one in every of Ozempic unwanted effects as a consequence of delayed digestion. It will probably final for a number of weeks however usually improves with hydration, fibre consumption, and time.

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5. Belly ache

“Many individuals who use Ozempic for weight reduction or diabetes administration expertise abdomen discomfort or cramps,” says the knowledgeable. It’s usually associated to gastrointestinal changes. It normally improves as soon as the physique will get used to the treatment.

6. Fatigue

Feeling drained or low in power might happen as a consequence of lowered calorie consumption, particularly through the preliminary weight reduction section. “Fatigue, one in every of Ozempic unwanted effects, is often short-lived and should resolve because the physique adjusts,” says the knowledgeable.

7. Hair loss

Hair loss could also be skilled by some people utilizing Ozempic, however it isn’t one of many frequent Ozempic unwanted effects. “The medication usually results in important and fast weight discount, which can result in telogen effluvium, a short lived sort of hair loss,” says the knowledgeable. Additionally, as individuals drop pounds, particularly if dietary consumption is restricted, they could not get sufficient important vitamins like iron, zinc, protein, and B nutritional vitamins. A deficiency in these vitamins can even contribute to hair loss.

8. Ozempic face

Ozempic face can be not one of many frequent Ozempic unwanted effects. It’s a colloquial time period coined to explain the facial adjustments some individuals expertise after rapidly losing a few pounds with the assistance of Ozempic. “Folks might expertise sagging pores and skin and hole cheeks,” says the knowledgeable. There’s one other facet impact linked to it. Ozempic mouth is one other time period utilized by some individuals to seek advice from the pronounced folds on the corners of the mouth, and sagging pores and skin, particularly alongside the lip and chin areas. “These adjustments are as a consequence of quantity loss within the face, particularly fats and muscle, on account of speedy weight reduction,” says Dr Kharb.

9. Pancreatitis

Semaglutide might have a hyperlink to the event of acute pancreatitis, in line with analysis printed in Cureus. “It’s a uncommon, however severe situation involving irritation of the pancreas,” says the knowledgeable. Signs of this situation embody extreme stomach ache, nausea and vomiting.

10. Kidney issues

Ozempic unwanted effects reminiscent of vomiting and diarrhea can result in dehydration. “It might negatively influence kidney perform, notably in individuals with pre-existing kidney circumstances,” says the knowledgeable.

The best way to keep away from Ozempic unwanted effects?

Right here’s what you are able to do to keep away from Ozempic unwanted effects:

• Begin with a low dose: Medical doctors normally prescribe a decrease dose initially and improve it steadily in order that the physique will get time to regulate. The Ozempic dose begins with 0.25 mg as soon as per week then at week 5, your physician will improve it to 0.5 mg as soon as per week.
• Preserve hydration: Consuming loads of fluids might help forestall dehydration, which in flip helps minimise kidney points and helps wholesome digestion.
• Eat wholesome: Guarantee a nutrient-rich food plan with satisfactory protein, fibre and nutritional vitamins, iron, and zinc to stop gastrointestinal problems and hair loss.
• Monitor signs: To keep away from Ozempic unwanted effects, carefully look ahead to any indicators of adversarial reactions, and search medical recommendation promptly.

There’s a number of curiosity round Ozempic, because of its effectiveness in managing diabetes and losing a few pounds. Nonetheless, you must also find out about Ozempic unwanted effects together with its advantages in the event you want to use the drugs.