Ozempic might have an effect on your face, bowel actions and hair. Take a look at the Ozempic uncomfortable side effects earlier than taking this anti-diabetes drug for blood sugar administration and weight reduction.
As a result of its function in managing diabetes, Ozempic, the model title for the medicine semaglutide, is gaining plenty of consideration. It’s also recognized for being an efficient weight reduction drug. However the advantages are sometimes accompanied by hostile results. A few of them, together with nausea and constipation, are fairly frequent. However the record is just rising, with some experiencing hostile results like Ozempic face and hair loss. So, earlier than taking the weekly pictures to handle sort 2 diabetes and shed extra pounds, get to know concerning the Ozempic uncomfortable side effects.
What are the advantages of Ozempic?
Earlier than transferring on to Ozempic uncomfortable side effects, undergo its advantages:
1. Blood sugar management
This medicine 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 without doubt one of the common weight reduction medication, although it’s not accepted by the US Meals and Drug Administration for this objective. “It acts on areas of the mind concerned in urge for food regulation, notably the hypothalamus, which helps cut back starvation and meals cravings,” says the professional.
3. Might assist enhance liver well being
Research are being carried out on the advantages of Ozempic. One such research, printed in The New England Journal Of Medication in April 2025, confirmed that semaglutide may also help to enhance liver well being in folks with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, which is a kind of liver illness.
What are the Ozempic uncomfortable side effects?
Listed below are a number of the Ozempic uncomfortable side effects:
1. Nausea
A gastrointestinal problem equivalent to nausea is without doubt one of the frequent hostile results of semaglutide, in keeping with analysis printed in Frontiers In Public Well being. “It happens as a result of the drugs slows down gastric emptying, which may make customers really feel overly full. It’s normally outstanding whereas beginning the medicine and tends to subside inside a couple of weeks because the physique adapts,” says Dr Kharb.
2. Vomiting
Vomiting, one of many Ozempic uncomfortable side effects, is commonly linked to the identical mechanism inflicting nausea. “This implies delayed abdomen emptying and adjustments within the intestine perform can result in vomiting,” says the professional. The episodes normally reduce with continued use and dose adjustment.
3. Diarrhea
This occurs resulting from 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 folks might expertise constipation. Slowed bowel actions could also be one among Ozempic uncomfortable side effects resulting from delayed digestion. It could final for a number of weeks however usually improves with hydration, fibre consumption, and time.
5. Belly ache
“Many individuals who use Ozempic for weight reduction or diabetes administration expertise abdomen discomfort or cramps,” says the professional. It’s usually associated to gastrointestinal changes. It normally improves as soon as the physique will get used to the medicine.
6. Fatigue
Feeling drained or low in power might happen resulting from diminished calorie consumption, particularly in the course of the preliminary weight reduction part. “Fatigue, one among Ozempic uncomfortable side effects, is usually short-lived and should resolve because the physique adjusts,” says the professional.
7. Hair loss
Hair loss could also be skilled by some people utilizing Ozempic, however it’s not one of many frequent Ozempic uncomfortable side effects. “The drugs usually results in vital and fast weight discount, which can result in telogen effluvium, a short lived sort of hair loss,” says the professional. Additionally, as folks shed extra 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 may also contribute to hair loss.
8. Ozempic face
Ozempic face can be not one of many frequent Ozempic uncomfortable side effects. It’s a colloquial time period coined to explain the facial adjustments some folks expertise after rapidly shedding weight with the assistance of Ozempic. “Folks might expertise sagging pores and skin and hole cheeks,” says the professional. There’s one other aspect impact related to it. Ozempic mouth is one other time period utilized by some folks to check with the pronounced folds on the corners of the mouth, and sagging pores and skin, particularly alongside the lip and chin areas. “These adjustments are resulting from quantity loss within the face, particularly fats and muscle, on account of fast weight reduction,” says Dr Kharb.
9. Pancreatitis
Semaglutide might have a hyperlink to the event of acute pancreatitis, in keeping with analysis printed in Cureus. “It’s a uncommon, however critical situation involving irritation of the pancreas,” says the professional. Signs of this situation embody extreme belly ache, nausea and vomiting.
10. Kidney issues
Ozempic uncomfortable side effects equivalent to vomiting and diarrhea can result in dehydration. “It might negatively influence kidney perform, notably in folks with pre-existing kidney circumstances,” says the professional.
The way to keep away from Ozempic uncomfortable side effects?
Right here’s what you are able to do to keep away from Ozempic uncomfortable side effects:
- Begin with a low dose: Docs normally prescribe a decrease dose initially and enhance it progressively in order that the physique will get time to regulate. The Ozempic dose begins with 0.25 mg as soon as every week then at week 5, your physician will enhance it to 0.5 mg as soon as every week.
- Keep hydration: Consuming loads of fluids may also help stop dehydration, which in flip helps minimise kidney points and helps wholesome digestion.
- Eat wholesome: Guarantee a nutrient-rich eating regimen with enough protein, fibre and nutritional vitamins, iron, and zinc to forestall gastrointestinal problems and hair loss.
- Monitor signs: To keep away from Ozempic uncomfortable side effects, carefully look ahead to any indicators of hostile reactions, and search medical recommendation promptly.
There may be plenty of curiosity round Ozempic, because of its effectiveness in managing diabetes and shedding weight. Nonetheless, you must also study Ozempic uncomfortable side effects together with its advantages when you want to use the drugs.
Associated FAQs
Are you able to simply cease taking Ozempic for weight reduction?
Sure, you’ll be able to cease taking Ozempic at any time, particularly whether it is used off-label for weight reduction. Nonetheless, it’s strongly suggested to seek the advice of a healthcare supplier earlier than discontinuation.
Do you achieve weight again after stopping Ozempic?
Weight regain is a typical expertise after stopping Ozempic. That is particularly true if customers don’t keep dietary management and bodily exercise.
How lengthy are you able to keep on Ozempic?
For the remedy of sort 2 diabetes, Ozempic is accepted for long-term use. With regards to weight reduction, the size of use must be decided by a healthcare supplier primarily based on the affected person’s well being standing, weight reduction objectives, and tolerance to the medicine.
What are the alternate options to Ozempic?
Wegovy is basically a higher-dose model of semaglutide, particularly accepted for persistent weight administration in people with weight problems or obese with at the least one weight-related situation. Mounjaro incorporates tirzepatide, a twin GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist accepted for sort 2 diabetes and reveals robust results in selling weight reduction.
