What is the downside of Ozempic?

Drugs such as Ozempic have caused new or worsening kidney disease, including kidney failure, in some people. If you become dehydrated from other side effects of Ozempic, such as vomiting or diarrhea, this could also cause kidney problems. Your doctor may monitor your kidney health closely during your Ozempic treatment.

healthline.com - Ozempic: Side Effects and What to Do About Them - Healthline

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Introduction If you have type 2 diabetes, Ozempic (semaglutide) may be a treatment option for you. Ozempic is used to: help lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes (when used with diet and exercise) help reduce the risk for certain cardiovascular problems (related to the heart or blood vessels) in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease Ozempic is given by subcutaneous injection (an injection under your skin). You’ll use it once a week as part of your diabetes treatment plan to help meet your daily and long-term blood sugar goals. For more details on Ozempic, see this in-depth article. Ozempic may cause mild or serious side effects in some people. Keep reading to learn more. Note: Ozempic isn’t used to treat type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious diabetes complication. Talk with your doctor to learn more.

constipation

diarrhea

nausea or vomiting Ozempic may cause other side effects, too. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk for side effects from this drug. Learn more about Ozempic’s side effects in the next sections. What are the mild side effects of Ozempic? Ozempic can cause mild side effects in some people. These may include: change in the way things taste

abdominal (belly) pain

burping*

constipation or diarrhea

dizziness

headache

flatulence (gas)*

fatigue (lack of energy)

indigestion (upset stomach) or acid reflux

injection-site reactions, such as skin redness, discoloration, or discomfort

nausea or vomiting

minor increase in heart rate In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. Some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop using Ozempic unless your doctor recommends it. Ozempic may cause other mild side effects, too. To learn more, see the Ozempic prescribing information. Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Ozempic, visit MedWatch. * For more information on this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below. FAQs about Ozempic’s side effects Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Ozempic’s side effects. Can Ozempic cause weight loss? Yes, Ozempic can cause weight loss in some people. Although the drug isn’t approved for weight loss, some people using Ozempic in studies lost weight. In these studies, Ozempic was either used alone or with other treatments for type 2 diabetes. Another diabetes drug, Saxenda (liraglutide), is approved for weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes. Saxenda is in the same drug class as Ozempic. (A drug class is a group of medications that work in a similar way.) Saxenda can’t be used with Ozempic. If you’re interested in learning more about Saxenda or other weight-management treatments, talk with your doctor. Are there foods to avoid while taking Ozempic? No, you don’t have to avoid any specific foods during your Ozempic treatment. Also, the drug can be taken with or without food. However, Ozempic is used to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, and it’s used along with diet and exercise. To reach your blood sugar goals while using Ozempic, you should follow the nutrition guidelines that your doctor recommends. If you have changes to your diet, activity level, or weight, your diabetes treatment plan may need to be adjusted. Talk with your doctor if you have any of these changes. How long do Ozempic side effects last? In general, mild side effects of Ozempic should be temporary or manageable while you’re using the drug. However, after stopping Ozempic, it could take your body about 5 weeks after your last dose to fully clear the drug from your system. So you could have side effects during this period. And you could experience some serious side effects, such as worsening diabetic retinopathy, even after Ozempic has been fully cleared from your system. If you have questions or concerns about how long side effects from Ozempic could last, talk with your doctor. Does Ozempic cause hair loss? No, Ozempic shouldn’t cause hair loss. Hair loss wasn’t seen in studies of Ozempic. However, hair loss has been linked with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes-related hair loss isn’t fully understood, but it may be caused by various factors. These may include: damaged hair follicles from long periods of high blood sugar or poor circulation

stress from managing a chronic (long-term) condition

having hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels) along with diabetes Also, many people with diabetes take medications to treat other chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). In rare cases, certain drugs used to treat CVD, such as statins or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, may cause hair loss. If you’re experiencing hair loss, contact your doctor right away. If it’s related to blood sugar management, they may change your diabetes treatment plan. If it’s not, your doctor will check for other causes and discuss treatment options with you. Side effects explained Learn more about some of the side effects Ozempic may cause. Thyroid cancer risk Ozempic has a boxed warning about the possible risk of thyroid cancer. Ozempic has caused thyroid cancer in animals. It’s unclear if this drug also increases thyroid cancer risk in humans. However, to lower the possible risk of thyroid cancer, don’t use Ozempic if: you have a rare genetic condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 you or a family member has had medullary thyroid cancer What might help While using Ozempic, tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of thyroid cancer, such as: a lump or pain in your neck

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trouble swallowing

shortness of breath or wheezing

hoarse voice that doesn’t get better If you’re diagnosed with thyroid cancer, your doctor will stop your Ozempic and adjust your diabetes treatment plan. Gas and burping Flatulence (gas) and burping can occur with Ozempic, but they aren’t the most common digestive system side effects. Some more common digestive system side effects include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Burping is also a symptom of acid reflux or indigestion (upset stomach). These are both digestive system side effects that can occur with Ozempic, too. What might help In most cases, gas and burping are considered mild side effects. But if they bother you or don’t go away during your Ozempic treatment, talk with your doctor. They may suggest diet changes or an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, such as Gas-X (simethicone), to help relieve gas and burping. If your burping is related to acid reflux or indigestion, your doctor may suggest an OTC antacid, such as Pepcid (famotidine) or Tums (calcium carbonate tablets). Contact your doctor right away if you have gas or burping along with vomiting or severe pain in your back or abdomen (belly). These could be symptoms of pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas), which is a serious side effect of Ozempic. (See “Pancreatitis” below to learn more.) Dizziness Some people may experience dizziness while using Ozempic. However, this isn’t a common symptom of Ozempic. Dizziness could also be a symptom of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Hypoglycemia is a serious side effect of Ozempic that can cause severe health problems if it’s not treated. What might help Talk with your doctor right away if you feel dizzy while using Ozempic. Before starting Ozempic, ask your doctor how often you should check your blood sugar. Also, ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain the symptoms of low blood sugar and how to manage these episodes. Your doctor or pharmacist may suggest that you carry OTC glucose products so you’re ready to treat low blood sugar quickly before it becomes severe. (See “Hypoglycemia” below to learn more.) Pancreatitis In rare cases, Ozempic may cause pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas). This can be either acute (short-term) pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis. Your pancreas is a gland that releases enzymes (proteins) and substances, such as insulin, needed to digest foods and use energy. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the swelling can damage your pancreas and cause symptoms. Acute pancreatitis usually lasts for a short period of time and goes away after treatment. Chronic pancreatitis may develop with continued damage to the pancreas over time. What might help Before starting Ozempic, tell your doctor if you’ve had pancreatitis or other pancreatic problems before. It may be unsafe for you to use Ozempic. If so, your doctor will prescribe another diabetes treatment. While using Ozempic, watch for pancreatitis symptoms, such as: abdomen (belly) pain that may radiate to your back

nausea or vomiting

bloating

fever Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms. If your doctor confirms you have pancreatitis, they’ll stop your Ozempic treatment and manage your condition. Hypoglycemia Ozempic may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This side effect is more common if you use Ozempic along with insulin or other diabetes drugs. Making certain lifestyle changes, such as fasting or suddenly changing your diet, can cause low blood sugar, too. If your blood sugar gets too low, it can cause symptoms or serious health problems. Examples of these problems include dizziness, blurred vision, or seizures. What might help Before starting Ozempic, tell your doctor if you take insulin or any other medications. They may adjust your insulin regimen or your dosage of other diabetes drugs to help prevent low blood sugar with Ozempic. Follow your prescribed diabetes treatment plan, including your meal plan, to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range. If you change your diet or physical activity level, tell your doctor. And tell them if you gain or lose a lot of weight. These factors can affect your blood sugar and may make you more likely to have episodes of hypoglycemia. Symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary, but common symptoms to watch for include: dizziness

shakiness

chills or sweating

confusion or clumsiness

skin that is paler than usual

blurry vision

intense hunger You should keep foods on hand that can raise your blood sugar quickly if you have an episode of hypoglycemia. Or you can try OTC glucose gels or chewable glucose tablets. If you have severe hypoglycemia, call 911 or your local emergency phone number, or have someone drive you to the emergency room. (You shouldn’t drive yourself during an episode of severe hypoglycemia.) Allergic reaction Like most drugs, Ozempic can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms can be mild, such as: rash

itchiness

flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color) But in rare cases, Ozempic may cause a serious allergic reaction with severe symptoms, such as: swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe What might help If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest an OTC treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples of these treatments include an antihistamine such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or a hydrocortisone cream. If your doctor confirms you had a mild allergic reaction to Ozempic, they’ll decide if you should continue using the drug. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to Ozempic, they’ll have you stop using the drug and switch you to a different treatment. Keeping track of side effects During your Ozempic treatment, consider keeping notes on any side effects you’re having, especially episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Then, you can share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful to do when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments. Your side effect notes can include things like: what dose of drug you were taking when you had the side effect

how soon after starting that dose you had the side effect

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what your symptoms were from the side effect

how it affected your daily activities

what other medications you were also taking

any other information you feel is important Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help your doctor learn more about how Ozempic affects you. And your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed Warnings for Ozempic Ozempic has some warnings that may affect whether or not you can safely use this drug. Boxed warning: Thyroid cancer risk Ozempic has a boxed warning about the possible risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Ozempic has caused thyroid cancer in animals. It’s unclear if the drug also increases thyroid cancer risk in humans. To lower the potential risk of thyroid cancer, don’t use Ozempic if: you have a rare genetic condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 you or a family member has had medullary thyroid cancer For more details, see the “Side effects explained” section above. Other warnings Ozempic may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Ozempic. Factors to consider include those in the list below. Kidney problems. Before starting Ozempic, tell your doctor if you’ve had any kidney problems. Drugs such as Ozempic have caused new or worsening kidney disease, including kidney failure, in some people. If you become dehydrated from other side effects of Ozempic, such as vomiting or diarrhea, this could also cause kidney problems. Your doctor may monitor your kidney health closely during your Ozempic treatment. If you develop new or worsening kidney problems, they may stop your treatment. Allergic reaction to GLP-1 agonists. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Ozempic or any of its ingredients, you shouldn’t take Ozempic. Also tell your doctor if you’ve had an allergic reaction to another GLP-1 agonist (the drug class Ozempic belongs to). If you have, you could have an allergic reaction to Ozempic, which could be severe. Your doctor can prescribe a safer treatment option for you. Diabetic retinopathy. If you have diabetic retinopathy, using Ozempic may make it worse. Tell your doctor if you have this condition before starting Ozempic. While using this drug, keep all your eye appointments and tell your doctor right away if you have any vision changes. Insulin or other diabetes drug use. Using Ozempic with insulin or other diabetes drugs may raise your risk for severe hypoglycemia. If untreated, this condition can cause serious health problems. Before starting Ozempic, tell your doctor about all medications you take. They may adjust your insulin regimen or your dosage of other diabetes drugs to help prevent hypoglycemia with Ozempic. But don’t make changes to your diabetes treatment plan unless your doctor recommends it. Alcohol and Ozempic Ozempic isn’t known to interact with alcohol. However, Ozempic lowers your blood sugar. Alcohol may make your blood sugar drop, too. So, drinking alcohol during your Ozempic treatment may cause severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Also, chronic (long-term) alcohol consumption is a common cause of pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas). Using Ozempic may raise your risk for pancreatitis, too. To help prevent these health problems, avoid excessive alcohol use during your Ozempic treatment. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much may be safe for you to drink with your condition and treatment plan. Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Ozempic It’s unknown if Ozempic is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re planning to become pregnant, you’ll need to stop Ozempic at least 2 months before trying to conceive. This waiting period ensures your body has fully cleared the drug from your system. If you become pregnant while using Ozempic, talk with your doctor right away. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Ozempic.

healthline.com - Ozempic: Side Effects and What to Do About Them - Healthline

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