Key takeaways

  • Ozempic, like other medications, has the potential to cause side effects, such as nausea and dizziness. You can discuss concerns about how your body might tolerate the medication with a healthcare professional.
  • Common side effects of Ozempic include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation, although these may be temporary.
  • Less common but serious side effects of Ozempic include hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy, dehydration, gallbladder problems, intestinal problems, and thyroid cancer. It’s important to seek immediate medical help if you develop symptoms of these side effects.

Ozempic is prescribed to treat certain conditions, including helping manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

If you have problems with side effects from Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss ways to manage side effects or other available treatment options. Do not stop taking Ozempic without consulting your doctor first.

Ozempic has a boxed warning for the risk of. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Boxed warning for Ozempic” section.

Ozempic can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Ozempic in clinical trials:

To learn more about some of these side effects, see the “Managing side effects” section.

The following lists provide key side effects of Ozempic, but may not provide all details in the drug’s prescribing information.

Read more: An overview of Ozempic, including it’s uses, dosage, and how it works.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Ozempic include:

  • gas and burping
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain
  • constipation
  • fatigue
  • changes in your sense of taste

To learn more about some of these side effects, see the “Managing side effects” section.

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Experiencing side effects? After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews its side effects. If you develop a side effect while taking this medication and want to report it to the FDA, you can visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Ozempic may cause serious side effects, but they aren’t common. Serious side effects that have been reported include:

The following side effects weren’t reported in clinical trials of Ozempic. However, they were reported after the drug became available to the public. These side effects were also reported for some medications in the same drug calss as Ozempic.

If you develop serious side effects while receiving Ozempic, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Ozempic can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies, but there have been reports since Ozempic was approved for use.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Ozempic, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Ozempic has a boxed warning for thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the 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.

What you can do

You should not receive Ozempic if you or an immediate family member has or has had:

During Ozempic treatment, talk with your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of a thyroid tumor. These can include a lump or mass in your neck, a hoarse voice, difficulty breathing, and difficulty swallowing.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Ozempic may cause.

Gas and burping

People receiving Ozempic in clinical trials reported gas and burping. However, these side effects weren’t common.

Gas occurred more often in people receiving a 1-milligram (mg) dose of Ozempic than in people receiving a 0.5-mg dose. Burping was more common in people receiving a 0.5-mg dose of Ozempic than in people receiving a 1-mg dose.

Gas and burping are caused by tiny amounts of air that gather in your digestive system. Usually, air builds up as you digest food. Your body eventually has to release the air, and passing gas or burping are ways to eliminate it. Ozempic may cause these side effects because the drug slows down the rate at which your stomach digests food.

What you can do

If you experience gas or burping, it’ll most likely be mild. The side effect may go away with time as you continue receiving Ozempic.

However, if you have gas or burping that bothers you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend an over-the-counter medication, such as Gas-X (simethicone), to treat these side effects. They may also recommend tips such as eating slowly or avoiding foods that cause gas.

If you experience gas or burping that won’t go away or affects your daily life, your doctor may recommend a drug other than Ozempic for your condition.

Dizziness

Dizziness can occur during Ozempic treatment. This side effect was very rare in people receiving the drug in clinical trials.

Dizziness can also be a symptom of hypoglycemia. If Ozempic is used with certain other diabetes drugs, such as insulin, it can cause low blood sugar as a side effect.

What you can do

If you experience dizziness while receiving Ozempic, check your blood sugar to see whether it’s low. Your doctor can provide you with instructions on how to raise your blood sugar.

If you have dizziness that is unrelated to low blood sugar while receiving Ozempic, talk with your doctor. They may suggest trying a different medication to treat your condition.

Digestive side effects: Nausea, diarrhea, and constipation

It’s possible to experience digestive side effects when receiving Ozempic. Nausea, diarrhea, and constipation were some of the most commonly reported side effects in Ozempic’s clinical trials. For most people, these effects were mild and temporary.

Nausea and diarrhea with Ozempic were most frequently reported at the start of treatment or after a dosage increase. For most people, these side effects go away within a few days or weeks.

Constipation may occur at any point during treatment because Ozempic works by slowing your digestion. However, constipation caused by Ozempic is eventually expected to lessen or go away.

What you can do

If you have digestive side effects from Ozempic that persist or affect your everyday life, talk with your doctor. They may suggest:

  • trying a home remedy for diarrhea or constipation
  • avoiding certain foods that may worsen digestive problems
  • trying a different medication to manage your blood sugar instead of Ozempic

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.

Ozempic may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

No. There were no reports of hair loss as a side effect by people receiving Ozempic in clinical trials.

However, hair loss and hair thinning may occur in people who have diabetes and consistently high blood sugar levels.

If you have questions about hair loss, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Headache on its own wasn’t reported as a side effect by people receiving Ozempic in clinical trials.

However, headache can be a symptom of hypoglycemia. Ozempic can cause hypoglycemia in people who use the drug with certain other diabetes medications, including insulin.

If you experience headache while receiving Ozempic, check your blood sugar to see whether it’s low. Your doctor can provide you with instructions on how to raise your blood sugar.

If you have additional questions about headache and Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Before using Ozempic, discuss your health history with your doctor. Ozempic may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

• pancreas problems, including pancreatitis
• diabetic retinopathy
• a history of gastroparesis (slow digestion, which may be a complication of diabetes)
• previous kidney damage related to dehydration
• gallbladder problems, such as gallstones or inflammation
• a planned medical procedure that requires general anesthesia or sedation
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• previous allergic reaction to Ozempic or any of its ingredients

If you experience side effects with Ozempic, they’ll usually be mild. Most mild side effects will go away in a few days or weeks and won’t require medical attention. However, you should talk with your doctor if you experience serious side effects. They could require medical attention.

If you’d like to learn more about Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can answer any questions you have about the drug’s side effects.

Disclaimer: While Medical News Today strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.