Ozempic (semaglutide) is a brand-name injection prescribed to help manage type 2 diabetes and certain other associated conditions. As with other drugs, Ozempic may cause long-term side effects. Some of the long-term side effects of Ozempic include:

  • Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic can cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Pancreatitis symptoms can include pain or swelling in your abdomen, fever, back pain, or nausea and vomiting.
  • Gallbladder problems: Ozempic may increase the risk of gallbladder problems, which can include gallstones and gallbladder disease.
  • Acute kidney injury: Ozempic can cause vomiting and diarrhea as a side effect. This can lead to dehydration, which may cause kidney damage. Symptoms can include confusion, fatigue, and a need to urinate less often or produce less urine than usual.
  • Vision problems: Ozempic may worsen an eye condition called diabetic retinopathy (eye damage associated with diabetes).
  • Risk of thyroid tumors: Ozempic has a boxed warning for thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Animal studies showed that Ozempic increases the risk of thyroid tumors in animals. (A tumor is a mass of cancerous tissue.) However, animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans. It is unknown whether Ozempic causes thyroid tumors in humans.

Most people who develop side effects from receiving Ozempic have only mild, short-term symptoms. Side effects of Ozempic should go away on their own after a few days or weeks.

Rarely, Ozempic can cause some side effects that may not go away. However, these are usually manageable. They include:

  • thyroid cancer
  • diabetic retinopathy

Before you start treatment with Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about potential side effects of the drug and how long they may last.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.