Ozempic (semaglutide) helps people with type 2 diabetes in managing their blood sugar levels when diet, exercise, and diabetes medications haven’t been effective. If you’ve just received a prescription, you might wonder if Ozempic is considered a high-risk medication. While it can come with side effects, not everyone who takes Ozempic will experience every possible one.
However, it’s important to have a sense of what to expect when taking this medication so here’s what you should know based on the Ozempic side effects reviews we’ve gathered.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is the brand name for a drug called semaglutide, which is also marketed under the name Wegovy. It (Ozempic) is approved by the FDA to treat type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is approved to aid weight loss.
Both Ozempic and Wegovy belong to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. They imitate a natural hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Like your body’s natural GLP-1, it plays an important role in regulating blood sugar and appetite.
Ozempic prompts the release of insulin from the pancreas whenever the blood sugar levels go up. As you probably know, insulin is vital for helping the body utilize sugar as energy. Without enough insulin it leads to sugar accumulation in the bloodstream.
At the same time, Ozempic also inhibits the release of a hormone called glucagon in the pancreas. Glucagon signals the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream to lower blood sugar levels.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects of Ozempic
Due to its action in the digestive system, GI are the most common side effects of Ozempic. Fortunately, in most cases they tend to be mild to moderate and usually go away over time.
1. Ozempic and nausea
Nausea is the most common side effect of Ozempic, but not everyone experiences it. In clinical trials, about 1 in 5 people reported nausea. It’s usually mild to moderate and tends to be worst when you first start taking the drug or when you increase your dose.
Nearly 1 in 10 people in the clinical trials vomited while taking Ozempic and this may be due to the slowed digestion and the extra pressure it creates in the abdominal area. Both nausea and vomiting were more common in people taking higher doses of Ozempic.
Here are some tips to help reduce or prevent nausea while on Ozempic:
- Take Ozempic with food as nausea is often worse on an empty stomach.
- Sip water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.
- Ask your doctor if there’s a specific time of day you could take the medication to help prevent nausea.
- Consult your doctor about lowering the dose.
Ozempic and stomach pain
In clinical trials, about 1 in 14 people experienced abdominal pain which include cramping, bloating, aching and gas discomfort. Starting at a low dose and gradually increasing it may help.
You can also try to:
- Eat slowly.
- Have frequent small meals.
- Consume bland foods like toast, crackers and rice.
- Avoid fried foods.
- Avoid sweets.
- Choose water-based foods.
- Drink clear liquids.
- Avoid lying down immediately after eating.
Ozempic and heartburn
In clinical trials, approximately 2% of people—about 1 in 50—who took Ozempic reported experiencing GERD, heartburn or acid reflux particularly those on a lower dose. The acid may stem from vomiting or delayed digestion. Here are some ways to prevent or alleviate heartburn:
- Eat slowly.
- Avoid spicy, greasy or fried foods.
- Consume smaller meals.
- Don’t lie down right away after a meal.
- Elevate your upper body and head slightly while sleeping.
- Try sleeping on your left side.
- Consider using an OTC heartburn remedy.
- Quit smoking.
Ozempic and diarrhea
Approximately 8% of people in Ozempic clinical trials experienced diarrhea, regardless of the dose although it usually resolved within about a week.
You might be able to prevent diarrhea by avoiding:
- Sugary drinks
- Alcohol
- Caffeinated beverages
- Milk based drinks
- Full-fat dairy products
- Greasy, fried foods
Ozempic and constipation
The slowed digestion caused by Ozempic may lead to constipation and this side effect has occurred in about 4% of people in the Ozempic for diabetes trial.
The usual remedies for constipation should also help with Ozempic-related constipation.
Here are some suggestions:
- Drink at least 91 oz of fluids daily.
- Exercise regularly.
- Increase fiber intake.
- Use an OTC laxative.
- Consult your doctor about adjusting your dose.
Ozempic burps
When digestion slows with Ozempic, sulfur can build up in your digestive tract which leads to smelly burps. These are sometimes referred to as Ozempic burps. If you experience Ozempic burps, you can try reducing your intake of sulfur-rich foods, though you shouldn’t eliminate them completely. Many foods contain sulfur, and it’s an essential nutrient.
These are high-sulfur foods:
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Allium vegetables
- Dried fruits
- Red meat
- Eggs and fish
Here are some tips that may help prevent sulfur burps with Ozempic:
- Drink plenty of water to help flush out the sulfur.
- Incorporate probiotics into your diet.
- Try green, ginger, chamomile or peppermint teas.
- Consider using over-the-counter digestive aids like Pepto Bismol.
Ozempic Side Effects Reviews
ViCalZip
ViCalZip reported experiencing constipation while using Ozempic. They believe this is partly due to eating less and slower stomach emptying, resulting in less frequent bowel movements. However, they find the constipation manageable and believe the benefits of Ozempic far outweigh this minor inconvenience. They suggest that people experiencing more significant side effects or challenges, like not losing weight, might be more inclined to share their experiences online. ViCalZip emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balanced diet, even when not hungry, and recommends taking multivitamins. After 15 weeks on Ozempic, ViCalZip has lost nearly 20 pounds and is pleased with the results.
Rosie3450
Rosie3450 has been on Ozempic for two months at a 1mg dose and hasn’t experienced any side effects, including a total loss of appetite. She lost about a pound per week, sometimes more or less, but attribute her progress to both Ozempic and significant diet and lifestyle changes made over the past year. Before Ozempic, she used Trulicity for over a year without major side effects. Rosie3450 believes that constantly reading about side effects might make some people more likely to experience them, even if they’re on a placebo. She says to trust your well-informed doctor, who has observed mostly positive outcomes in other patients using Ozempic.
Pleasant_Selection32
Pleasant_Selection32 noted that the initial side effects of Ozempic disappeared relatively quickly after starting on a 0.5 mg dose. However, after increasing to a 1 mg dose, she has been dealing with constipation for a couple of months.
Nomad_usurper
Nomad_usurper has been on Ozempic for several months and reported no significant side effects—no pain, diarrhea, or constipation. However, he/she gradually began feeling tired all the time, needing more sleep than usual. Despite getting 8 to 9 hours of solid sleep, he finds himself nodding off during the day, even after waking up early. This change in energy levels led him to consult his primary care physician, who found everything normal. The doctor and pharmacist suggested that the fatigue could be a side effect of Ozempic, or it might be related to not getting restful sleep.
KristiLynn629
KristiLynn629 shared that side effects from Ozempic she experienced were moderate and her body eventually adjusted to the medication. After 18 months on a GLP-1 medication, she has never reached the highest dose and is now being tapered down to the lowest necessary dose by her doctor. KristiLynn629, who is 50 years old and going through perimenopause, was prescribed Ozempic due to pre-diabetes and PCOS.
Ozempic Side Effects in Men vs Women
The side effects of Ozempic appear to be similar for both men and women. While some evidence indicates that women might be more prone to experiencing the side effects this hasn’t been specifically proven for Ozempic.
There is limited data suggesting that certain side effects of Ozempic might be more common among women than men. Many studies investigating the side effects of Ozempic have predominantly involved female participants.
According to a 2020 study from South Korea, women using other GLP-1 receptor agonists (though not Ozempic specifically) reported side effects more than twice as frequently as men. This might be partially due to the higher likelihood of women experiencing gastrointestinal (digestive) issues in general.
Are Women More Likely to Get the ‘Ozempic Face’?
“Ozempic face” is a casual term to describe the facial appearance of some people using Ozempic:
- Wrinkles
- Sagging skin
- A gaunt look
It’s unclear whether women are more likely to develop “Ozempic face,” but there’s some evidence suggesting that women may experience more noticeable weight loss when using GLP-1 receptor agonists compared to men.
Final Thoughts on Ozempic Side Effects
The FDA’s approval of Ozempic for managing type 2 diabetes strongly suggests its safety for this purpose. However, this doesn’t mean the medication is free from side effects which can range from mild to potentially serious.
“Because Ozempic is still a relatively new drug, its long-term safety and effectiveness aren’t completely understood,” explains dietitian and weight loss expert Melissa Mitri, MS, RDN.
She notes that the longest study on Ozempic lasted just over a year, and the participants experienced positive weight loss outcomes.
“However, gastrointestinal side effects were common and affected more than half of the participants in the study, so this is something to be aware of,” she adds.
Some individuals might get an Ozempic prescription from their doctor specifically for weight loss (even if they don’t have diabetes), but this use is considered off-label. Off-label prescribing is legal, but it’s important to have a discussion with your healthcare provider about whether Ozempic is a suitable option for you, whether for weight loss alone or to address both diabetes and obesity together.
Ozempic can be an effective way to control blood sugar while also benefiting from weight loss — but it’s not necessarily a standalone weight-loss solution. And since it can be extremely expensive without insurance coverage, you might struggle to justify the cost.
Whenever possible, try to rely on lifestyle changes like exercise and a healthy diet to achieve weight loss. If these methods aren’t delivering the results you want, consider talking to your doctor about Ozempic or other options. Also, keep in mind that you might regain the weight you lost if you stop taking the medication.