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How do you feel on Ozempic?

Nausea. Nausea was the most common side effect of Ozempic noted in clinical studies [3]. This is often described as an unsettled feeling in your stomach (or an upset stomach) where you feel like you may need to vomit, but it may not always lead to vomiting.

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This article will help you understand everything there is to know about the side effects of Ozempic and how to avoid, or minimise, their impact. It has been written by our pharmacy team, led by Kevin Joshua our Superintendent Pharmacist who has 26 years' experience.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a prescription medication containing the active ingredient semaglutide that can be prescribed to treat those living with obesity [1] to promote weight loss. It was originally designed to treat high blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. The medication helps regulate blood sugar levels and comes in the form of a pre-filled injection pen. It's usually taken once a week for blood sugar control and/or as part of a weight loss programme.

What are the chances of Ozempic side effects?

As with most medications, Ozempic can cause some side effects or an allergic reaction. These are generally mild and temporary (as your body adjusts to the treatment), and are only expected in 1 in 10 (or 10%) of Ozempic patients. As with any medicine, it’s very important to talk to your prescriber about potential Ozempic side effects before you start taking the medication. Also ask for advice from your prescriber or trusted healthcare professional if a side effect is bothering you or doesn't go away after some time.

Precautions

Always consult a medical professional before deciding on whether Ozempic is right for you, especially if you're interested in using it as part of a weight loss programme. You can start a consultation with us to assess whether you're suitable, and our prescribers can explain any potential side effects of Ozempic in detail with you. It's always recommended that you tell your doctor or regular healthcare professional should you start a course of prescription drugs so that they can understand the drug interactions, drug information and your dose or medication schedule in the context of your medical history and overall health.

Ozempic side effects

Like all medications, Ozempic may cause side effects in some people. These side effects are generally mild, temporary, and can be managed or minimised. If you're already using the medication and have ongoing side effects, speak with your prescriber to see how you can address them. Some side effects of Ozempic can be serious. These are uncommon, but they're still a risk. In very rare cases, should your side effects be acute, or if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (such as swelling of your face, lips or throat, problems breathing, trouble swallowing or a rapid heartbeat), we recommend seeking immediate emergency medical help through your GP or nearest A&E service. We explain both mild, and serious, Ozempic side effects below - as well as what you can do about them.

Common side effects of Ozempic

Weight loss

As we mentioned above, Ozempic was originally designed for those with Type II diabetes as its active ingredient, Semaglutide helps to lower blood sugar levels and improve overall blood sugar control. However, this also has the 'side effect' of encouraging weight loss. This is because Ozempic mimics a natural hormone (GLP-1) which slows your stomach from emptying and helps you feel fuller for longer, decreasing your appetite. Over time, this can cause weight loss. This is particularly true when used as part of a weight management programme.

How to manage it

If you aren't using Ozempic with the goal to achieve weight loss, it's important to follow the nutritional guidelines given by your prescriber since these will be unique to your situation. Generally speaking, you can counteract undesired weight loss by increasing your calorie intake. If you don't feel like eating, some people use meal replacement shakes to increase their calorie consumption without having to ingest more solid food.

Other common side effects of Ozempic

To reassure you, these side effects are only expected in 10% of patients. We try to minimise your side effects by building you up to the full therapeutic dosage of Ozempic over a number of weeks. By starting on a dose of 0.25 mg, your body has the chance to get used to the drug before the next dose is increased to 0.5 mg. As a result, less than 1% of Juniper patients have reported side effects. Please note - you should never take more than one dose at a time and (as with all prescription drugs) always follow the dosing instructions given by your prescriber. Let's start with the more usual Ozempic side effects and how to minimise them.

Changes to your sense of taste

Ozempic can affect sense of taste in some people. There are clinical studies [2] currently looking into it. In general, only a small proportion of patients report that some foods taste slightly differently when they're taking the medication.

How to manage it

We don’t know exactly how or why Ozempic has this rare side-effect on some people. Our community have reported that trying unusual or novel foods may help improve your taste perception.

Gastrointestinal side effects

Some Ozempic side effects relate to your stomach and digestive system. They're generally mild, temporary and can be minimised. Common side effects include:

Diarrhoea or Acid reflux / heartburn

These side effects are usually very mild and go away as you go through your treatment and your body adapts to the medication. We recommend eating smaller, bland meals and staying hydrated during this time to give your digestive system time to get used to the medication.

Burping & gas or flatulence

Burping, gas and flatulence are usually caused by small amounts of air that build up in your digestive system. This air build up is a totally normal part of how your body digests food! Our bodies release the air through passing gas or burping. As Ozempic slows the rate at which your stomach digests food, it may cause a small amount of additional gas build up.

How to manage it

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Usually these symptoms are extremely mild and go away as your body gets used to the drug. If they persist, or if you simply want to avoid them, your prescriber can suggest over the counter medicines to address these symptoms. For example, anti-flatulants and antacids.

Nausea

Nausea was the most common side effect of Ozempic noted in clinical studies [3].This is often described as an unsettled feeling in your stomach (or an upset stomach) where you feel like you may need to vomit, but it may not always lead to vomiting. You might feel unwell for a short period at the beginning of the treatment but, for the vast majority of people, this feeling tends to go away within the first few days or weeks as your body quickly adjusts to the medication. Severe nausea is rare and we recommend reaching our to your prescriber or healthcare professional.

How to manage it

Some simple lifestyle changes should help to ease your nausea. We recommend you:

get plenty of fresh air

take regular sips of a cold drink

drink ginger or peppermint tea

eat foods containing ginger – such as ginger biscuits

eat smaller, more frequent meals

avoid drinking fruit juice as the high acidity can aggravate your stomach

If your nausea becomes too inconvenient, your prescriber might recommend over the counter medicines. There are different types of medication to alleviate these symptoms. These types of medicines are readily available at pharmacies.

Vomiting

Ozempic side effects sometimes include vomiting. Your body can react in this way as it adjusts to the new medicine, but the symptoms usually go away on their own. If you're experiencing severe vomiting and/or stomach pain, please seek medical assistance through your usual healthcare provider as soon as possible.

How to manage it

It's important to stay hydrated if you're suffering from vomiting, so keep drinking frequent sips of water throughout the day. It often helps to eat bland, low-fat foods (things like toast or rice), and consuming foods with a high water content (such as soups). Avoiding greasy meals and sugary foods will also help. Speak with your prescriber if the symptoms are bothering you, or you just want to minimise their impact. Over the counter medications are also available at most pharmacies. You can always reach out to us for help with your symptoms or to speak to your prescriber - hello@myjuniper.co.uk.

Dizziness or Lightheadedness

Whilst rarely reported in clinical studies [3], Ozempic can cause dizziness or light headedness. If you've recently started taking Ozempic you might experience it. It's rarely a major issue and usually only a short term symptom. You'll feel fine again once your body gets used to the medication. Often, this is a secondary symptom caused by dehydration or low blood sugar. If you're experiencing severe dizziness, however, please seek medical help as soon as possible.

How to manage it

Lie down until the dizziness passes, then get up slowly

Move slowly and carefully

Get plenty of rest

Drink plenty of fluids, especially water

Try eating a biscuit or dry snack containing sugar

Avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs

Fatigue

Fatigue can have different impacts. It can cause you to be tired, have sore muscles, feel dizzy or have headaches. Usually, fatigue is not a side-effect itself but a secondary symptom. For example if you're vomiting or eating too low a calorie diet, your body may not be getting the level of energy it needs, making you feel tired.

How to manage it

Eating healthily and fuelling your body, ensuring you have adequate rest and that you are sleeping well, and physical exercise can combat sore muscles along with relaxation techniques - and remember to stay hydrated.

Headaches

Headaches can be a common side effect of Ozempic. These usually pass very early on after taking the few few doses and are often caused by dehydration. Should you continue to experience headaches, contact your Juniper Prescriber.

How to manage it

Stay hydrated through increasing your water intake. You should aim for at least 2L of fluid daily

Rest

Relax

Take pain relief, as needed

Abdominal pain or constipation

Stomach pain can be due to many different reasons; cramping, constipation, bloating or even diarrhoea. Like with many Ozempic side effects these may resolve by themselves after a short time. If you're experiencing severe stomach pain, call your doctor or seek immediate medical assistance form your nearest emergency healthcare provider.

How to manage it

Abdominal pain can be unsettling, but there's lots you can do to help! Start by eating smaller meals to help curb any painful bloating feeling. Adding foods high in fibre (eg Apples, beans or dried fruits) will help to relieve any constipation. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day. If this is still not helping you, speak to your prescriber who can recommend over the counter medication from your local pharmacy to help relive the symptoms of abdominal pain.

Serious side effects of Ozempic

These uncommon side effects can affect a small group of patients (usually fewer than 1 in 100). If these do occur please seek medical assistance as soon as possible. At Juniper we have a dedicated team of prescribers who are on call to help. Once you reach out to us through our community or customer service channels, we can set you up with a review with one of our prescribers to best manage your side effects.

Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed (swollen) over a short period of time. The pancreas is a small organ, located behind the stomach, that helps with digestion. Most people with acute pancreatitis start to feel better within about a week and have no further problems. Just watch out for pain in the centre of your stomach, being sick and fever. In trials, it has shown that only 0.3% of participants developed pancreatitis while taking Ozempic. If these symptoms occur please seek medical attention immediately.

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This is defined as the disease of the retina in the eye. This can lead to blurred vision, patchy vision, eye pain or sudden vision loss. Diabetic patients are most likely to get this due to high sugar levels which can damage the retina. Like with all the serious side effects these are quite uncommon. However, if you do experience any of these symptoms please seek medical attention as soon as possible.

How to manage it

Aim to maintain steady blood sugar levels through eating a healthy, balanced diet and regular eye checks.

What should I avoid while using Ozempic?

It probably goes without saying, but sharing the device may spread infection or illness from one person to another. In terms of food, you don’t need to avoid any specific types of food while using Ozempic. However, if you're using Ozempic as part of a weight loss programme you'll be encouraged to use it alongside a healthy, balanced diet and exercise. To lower your blood sugar levels while using Ozempic, you should follow the nutrition guidelines provided with your programme. If you drink alcohol, your prescriber can explain in detail how much may be safe for you to drink during your programme. Ozempic isn’t known to interact with alcohol. However, both Ozempic and alcohol lower your blood sugar levels, so let your prescriber know if you drink alcohol regularly.

Ozempic contraindications and warnings

Ozempic can be contraindicated in certain people. These include people with hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients, patients with type 1 diabetes and some patients with congestive heart failure. However, one of our trained Prescribers will go through a consultation with you to check whether you are eligible to take Ozempic. Like with all medications, and for certain people, Ozempic should be used with caution. Our online quiz is designed to identify these precautions. Some are: diabetic retinopathy, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney problems, stomach/intestinal disorders (such as gastroparesis, digestion problems).

Pregnancy, reproductive potential, and breastfeeding

There's very limited information on the use of Ozempic in pregnant women. Women of childbearing potential are recommended to use contraception when using Ozempic. Ozempic shouldn't be used during pregnancy. If you wish to become pregnant, or pregnancy occurs, Ozempic should be discontinued. Ozempic should be stopped at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. Ozempic can be excreted in breast milk. Therefore, Ozempic shouldn't be used during breast-feeding, as there's no substantive data on safety for breast-fed infants. Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 (MEN 2) It is not known if Ozempic causes thyroid tumours or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people. Symptoms of this can be a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. In studies with rodents, Ozempic (and medicines that work like Ozempic) caused thyroid tumours, however we know that rodents are more sensitive to this. The relevance for humans is considered to be low, but can't be completely excluded. Don't use Ozempic if you, or any of your family, have ever had MTC, or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Type 1 diabetes

Ozempic, along with other GLP-1 agonists, are licensed for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes. Although some studies have found that this drug class of medication can help people with type 1 diabetes to reduce weight and to lower their insulin dose.

Proper Use

Ozempic must be used in accordance with the dosage, usage and instructions provided to you by your prescriber. As with all prescription medicines, it can be harmful if it isn't used according to the instructions given by your prescriber or if it is taken by someone who it wasn't prescribed for. This can lead to serious side-effects and risk of harm. It's important to always follow the dosage and timetable of injections given by your prescriber and to keep the medication safely stored away.

Before taking this medicine

Before you use Ozempic always read the leaflet from the manufacturer that comes inside the pack before you take your first dose. Remember that, because here at the Juniper Weight Reset Programme we use Ozempic "off-label", the leaflet talks a lot about using it for treating people with diabetes, and that's okay because the way you actually use Ozempic injections for weight loss is the same. The leaflet comes with full instructions and pictures on how to use the pen properly, how to store and dispose of your pens and what side-effects to look out for. If you need some more help or re-assurance with using Ozempic for the first time, then our support team is also here to help guide you. Always consult a specialist Ozempic weight loss prescriber, such as our Juniper team, before using Ozempic. We will ask you for the right information to assess whether Ozempic is safe and likely to be effective for you as an individual.

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myjuniper.co.uk - Ozempic Side Effects: The full picture. What they are and how to deal with ...

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