The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with Ozempic® are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation.
The most common side effect with Ozempic is nausea and occurs in about 15% to 20% of people. Others include vomiting (5% to 9%), diarrhea (8%), stomach-area pain (6% to 7%), and constipation (3% to 7%).
In clinical trials, nausea was the most commonly reported side effect of taking Ozempic. About 20% of participants (or 1 in 5 people) reported having nausea. The next most common side effects were vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. But only 5% to 10% of people reported these side effects.
Ozempic isn't technically a weight loss medication. But it's considered safe and effective for Type 2 diabetes, and you may lose weight as a side effect of treatment. If you're prescribed Ozempic and you don't have diabetes, this is considered off-label use.
Wegovy offers a higher dose of semaglutide for weight loss, and both drugs require weekly injections. Unlike other weight loss medications on the market, Ozempic and Wegovy are well tolerated by most people, with only mild gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and constipation.
Patients speak out over side effect claim that Ozempic poses risk of "stomach paralysis", and investigations into the prescription drug are showing possible signs of suicidal thoughts in users.
Ozempic works by adjusting the way your body processes glucose (sugar). This can lead to slower digestion, which means food stays in your stomach longer as it's being broken down. As your stomach works on digesting, it produces additional gas, which can lead to that uncomfortable bloating feeling and stomach pain.
How long do Ozempic side effects last? Most people who develop side effects from taking Ozempic have only mild, short-term symptoms. Side effects of Ozempic should go away on their own after a few days or weeks. In rare cases, Ozempic can cause some side effects that may not go away.
“Overall, Ozempic is a very safe medication,” explains Dr. McGowan. “The most common side effects are gastrointestinal in nature: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.”
The most common side effects when using Ozempic® are diarrhoea and nausea. These side effects are usually mild and normally decrease with continued use. Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you.
Some of these side effects can be mitigated by eating more slowly. Burping and flatulence can occur when you swallow too much air, which can happen when you eat too quickly. Slowing down while you eat can minimize these side effects, while also relieving the potential nausea that can occur with Ozempic.
Diet changes
Avoiding fried, greasy foods can be helpful in reducing nausea. Stick to healthy snacks like raw fruits and vegetables. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, recommends eating light, bland foods and eating smaller meals. Eat slowly and drink cool drinks such as water or unsweetened iced tea.
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) can cause side effects that some people are unable to tolerate. Following dosing guidelines can help manage these side effects. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most common semaglutide side effects. But they usually subside after a few weeks of using the medication.
Some key points for using Ozempic for to lose weight:
Higher doses do not provide additional body weight reduction benefits but may increase side effects. It can take 3-4 months to achieve the maximum weight loss at a stable dose. Weight loss may continue for up to 2 years on Ozempic based on studies.
You start feeling those usual hunger pangs again, and consequently, you may start eating more to satisfy that hunger. An increase in your consumption can lead to the regaining of weight that was lost. A 2022 study found that most individuals gain weight back a year after stopping the medication.
On average, a user can lose about 3 to 5% of their body weight after using Ozempic for a month regularly. This equates to about 4 to 6 pounds on average. Using a higher potency of the drug may result in more weight loss, but it isn't recommended that you start taking it right away.
For people with type 2 diabetes who take Ozempic to manage their blood sugar, halting treatment may cause blood sugar to rebound to around pre-medication levels, says Beverly Tchang, MD, an endocrinologist and an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City.
In fact, over 80 percent of people taking Ozempic have mild or no side effects at all.
It's used to lower blood glucose (sugar) levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The starting dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg injected once weekly for 4 weeks. Then, your dose is moved up to 0.5 mg once weekly.
The worldwide shortage of semaglutide started to affect Australia in early 2022 when Novo Nordisk couldn't supply enough Ozempic to meet an unexpected increase in demand due to off-label prescribing for weight loss.
The medication requires a medical prescription, although people desperate to lose weight can buy it illegally. The high demand for Ozempic, combined with alleged supply and distribution issues, has occasionally deprived diabetics who truly need the drug.
In short, there is nothing inherently dangerous about taking Ozempic if you do not have diabetes (it does not work like insulin, which can be deadly if someone without diabetes takes it), but there is no final say on whether it is safe or not.
Ozempic is also used off-label for weight loss. In particular, it can help reduce the amount of belly fat. This is because Ozempic works by making you feel fuller for longer, which can help you resist overeating by controlling cravings and hunger.