Ozempic side effects

All medications have the potential to cause side effects, and Ozempic is no exception. However, not everyone will get them, while some may only experience mild effects that may occur when they first start their treatment or when increasing their dose. In rare cases, more serious or severe side effects may occur.

Very common side effects

Some of the very common side effects that can affect more than 1 in 10 people are:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• diarrhoea
• low blood sugar (when taken with a sulfonylurea or insulin)

Common side effects

Common Ozempic side effects that can affect up to 1 in 10 people include:

• being sick (vomiting)
• indigestion
• inflamed stomach
• reflux or heartburn ––gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• stomach pain
• bloating
• constipation
• burping
• gallstones
• dizziness
• tiredness
• weight loss
• less appetite
• gas
• increased pancreatic enzymes

Uncommon side effects

Up to 1 in 100 people may experience the following:

• taste changes
• fast pulse
• injection site reactions
• allergic reactions
• delayed emptying of the stomach

Serious Ozempic side effects

Ozempic can cause more serious side effects, for example:

Ozempic side effects usually start within the first few weeks of treatment or after a dose increase.

When do Ozempic side effects improve?

Ozempic side effects typically improve on their own within a few days or weeks as your body adjusts to the medication, and can usually be managed at home.

However, if you stop using Ozempic, it can take up to 5 weeks for it to completely leave your system. So, it can take this long for side effects to improve after stopping the medication.

If you experience any side effects that concern you or are not improving, contact your doctor for further advice.

Many of the mild Ozempic side effects will resolve or improve on their own. In the meantime, there are several things you can do to manage them at home, making your treatment journey more comfortable. Here are some of the things you can do:

Feeling sick

Some of the things you can do if you are feeling sick while taking Ozempic, include:

• take your dose with a meal or just before going to bed
• try to get plenty of fresh air by going outside for a walk
• take regular sips of water or a cold drink
• eat smaller, more frequent meals containing plain, bland, and easy-to-digest foods
• try drinking peppermint or ginger tea
• avoid drinking fruit juice, which can cause digestive discomfort

Clinical trials have shown that 24% of people who use the 1mg dose of Ozempic experience nausea or feeling sick. These effects are usually experienced at the start of treatment or after a dose increase, and often go away on their own.

If you are experiencing nausea, speak to a pharmacist or doctor who may recommend over-the-counter medications to help improve these symptoms.

Being sick

Vomiting or being sick is another common side effect of Ozempic that can occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If you are experiencing severe vomiting or stomach pain, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

If you are sick, it is essential that you stay hydrated by taking frequent sips of water throughout the day. Try to eat bland foods like toast or rice, as well as foods that are easy to digest and have a high water content, such as soup. Avoid sugary and greasy meals.

If your symptoms persist or you are finding them difficult to manage, speak to a doctor or pharmacist for more advice. They may also be able to prescribe over-the-counter medications to help.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is also a common Ozempic side effect, affecting 11% of the people who were taking 1mg in clinical trials.

Diarrhoea can be managed similarly to feeling or being sick, by:

• staying hydrated
• eating plain, bland, and easy to digest foods
• getting some rest until the symptoms have passed

It may also help to increase your soluble fibre intake as this can help to make your poo more solid. Soluble fibre-rich foods include:

• oat bran
• beans and legumes
• cooked vegetables
• peeled fruit

There are over-the-counter anti-diarrhoea medications that may help, but you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking these while taking Ozempic.

Gas and burping

Side effects such as gas and burping are less common, but can be uncomfortable if you experience them. They are usually caused by small amounts of air gathering in your digestive system.

If you find these effects bothersome, speak to your doctor for more advice, but they may be able to be managed by:

• eating more slowly
• avoiding gassy foods, like beans, broccoli, onions, wheat, fizzy drinks, fatty foods, and dairy products
• taking a light walk after a meal helps gas move through your digestive system
• drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated and prevent constipation, which can cause gas

Most Ozempic side effects are mild and short-lasting, which improve or go away as your body adjusts to the active ingredient, semaglutide. However, there are some rarer but more serious long-term side effects of Ozempic that you should be aware of.

Long-term side effects can start at any time during your treatment or even after you have stopped using Ozempic.

Some of the potential long-term side effects of Ozempic are:

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that causes high blood sugar levels to damage the back of the eye, resulting in blindness if it is not treated.

The risk of diabetic retinopathy is low, but 1 study found that 10% of people with no previous history developed diabetic retinopathy while taking semaglutide. The symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:

• worsening vision
• sudden vision loss
• floaters in your vision
• eye pain or redness
• blurred or patchy vision

If you experience any of these symptoms during or after Ozempic treatment, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a condition that causes your pancreas to become inflamed over a short period of time. The pancreas is located just behind your stomach and is involved in the digestive process.

Although more research is needed, there have been hundreds of reports of acute and chronic pancreatitis in people who have taken GLP-1 medications. However, it is not clear if these medications, like Ozempic directly cause it.

Pancreatitis symptoms include:

• a severe pain in your stomach that gets worse and can travel to your back
• feeling or being sick
• indigestion
• fever
• yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes
• tender or swollen stomach
• fast heartbeat or rapid breathing

Although you may not be able to completely prevent Ozempic side effects, there are things you can do to reduce your chances of getting them by:

• following the dosage schedule and not increasing your dose too early to give your body time to adapt
• eating smaller portions and more slowly by chewing slowly and eating mindfully
• avoiding high fat and greasy foods, which are difficult to digest and can increase the chance of digestive discomfort
• staying well hydrated to reduce the risk of dehydration, and side effects like constipation and feeling sick
• limiting alcohol, which can irritate your stomach and worsen side effects
• keeping a food diary to help you spot any patterns between the food and drink you consume and any side effects you experience