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Ozempic (semaglutide) is a brand-name prescription medication made by Novo Nordisk. It is administered as a weekly injection. Ozempic used for weight loss or weight management can cause side effects that range from bothersome to serious, and it has significant safety warnings, too.

As with any medication, it’s important to know the possible side effects of Ozempic for weight loss and how to deal with them before you start taking it. In this article, we cover what to know about Ozempic side effects for weight loss, how to manage them, and when you need to seek medical care.

If you have questions about Ozempic online prescriptions, talk to a healthcare provider. Schedule an appointment with a weight loss provider on Klarity Health in as little as 24 hours.*

What is Ozempic and how does it work for weight loss?

Ozempic is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to lower A1C and blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic also reduces the risk for cardiovascular events including heart attack in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Its active ingredient, semaglutide, belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These medications mimic GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone your intestines release into your digestive tract when you eat. 

GLP-1, and GLP-1 receptor agonists, prompt your body to produce more insulin which lowers your glucose or blood sugar levels. It also works for weight loss by reducing appetite and delaying stomach emptying to help you feel fuller for longer.

There are 3 FDA-approved forms of semaglutide: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. All 3 target the body’s metabolic pathways. Rybelsus is an oral semaglutide tablet approved to help control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Like Ozempic, Wegovy is an injection. It’s approved as a weight loss medication for adults and children aged 12 years and older. When comparing Ozempic vs Wegovy, it’s important to note that Wegovy uses higher doses of semaglutide. 

Although it’s an off-label use, your provider can prescribe Ozempic for weight loss if they think it’s the best drug to help you lose weight safely. It should be used as part of a medical weight loss program and isn’t meant for short-term or cosmetic weight loss. Only use Ozempic if it’s prescribed for you. 

What are the side effects of Ozempic for weight loss?

The side effects of Ozempic for weight loss vary from one person to another. Some side effects are common and happen in more than 10% of people who take Ozempic while others are rare. Serious side effects are possible with Ozempic and typically require immediate medical attention.

Common Ozempic side effects for weight loss

The most common side effects of Ozempic for weight loss are usually gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. The risk for side effects increases with higher doses of the medication. During clinical trials, the most common side effects of Ozempic for weight loss include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain

Gastrointestinal side effects of ozempic

The gastrointestinal side effects of Ozempic are common, especially when you’re just starting to take it. Nausea is the most frequent side effect, particularly right at the beginning of treatment or after increasing your dose. Other gastrointestinal side effects can include:

• Vomiting, which sometimes comes with nausea
• Diarrhea, which can range from mild to severe
• Constipation, which some people experience instead of diarrhea
• Abdominal pain, cramping, or discomfort

There are ways to help reduce or prevent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other GI symptoms while you’re taking Ozempic:

• Take your medication with food
• Sip water or other clear liquids all day long; stay hydrated
• Eat small meals more often
• Start with a lower dose
• Avoid greasy, fried foods, spicy foods, and sweets
• Stop eating at least 2 hours before you lie down
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and dairy
• Get regular exercise
• Add fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains to your diet every day

A small minority of people stop taking Ozempic because of gastrointestinal side effects. 

If you experience severe gastrointestinal side effects, your healthcare provider may adjust your dose or suggest other strategies to manage symptoms. In some cases, an alternative medication may be more tolerable.

Remember, as you and your body adjust to taking Ozempic, these side effects will probably subside. But if they continue or get worse, it’s important to speak to your healthcare professional.

Serious side effects of Ozempic for weight loss

It’s possible to experience serious side effects of Ozempic for weight loss. Some of the more serious Ozempic weight loss side effects to watch for include:  

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): Low blood sugar can be a serious complication of type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of low blood sugar include hunger, light-headedness, dizziness, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, shakiness, weakness, sweating, anxiety, irritability, confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness, and headache. The risk of low blood sugar increases when Ozempic is used alongside other diabetes medications like metformin, sulfonylureas, and insulin. 
• Allergic reactions:  It’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction to Ozempic. Symptoms may include swelling of the face, tongue, and skin, rash, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, itching, fainting, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or a severe immune response (anaphylaxis). Severe allergic reactions can be life-threatening. If you experience one, seek medical care immediately.
• Vision changes: Ozempic can cause changes in vision. Get your eyes checked before and during your treatment with Ozempic. Report any vision changes to your providers. 
• Kidney problems: New or worsening kidney problems are possible with Ozempic use. Side effects like diarrhea and vomiting can leave you dehydrated. This can cause or worsen kidney disease, including kidney failure. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated while taking Ozempic. 
• Gallbladder problems: Symptoms of gallbladder disease such as gallstones include severe pain in your upper abdomen, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or pale stools. If you develop these symptoms while taking Ozempic, contact your healthcare professional immediately.
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis): Abdominal pain that won’t go away or radiates to your back may be a symptom of pancreatitis. If you notice this symptom, call your healthcare provider right away.

Ozempic side effects in females

Ozempic side effects can affect both men and women, but some side effects may impact women more than men, including:

• Nausea and vomiting: Clinical trials suggest that women may experience nausea and vomiting more often than men. This may be related to hormonal fluctuations and differences in how female bodies metabolize medications.
• Headache: Women report headaches almost 8 times as often as men in clinical trials of Ozempic.
• Dizziness: Women are more likely to report dizziness than men in clinical trials of Ozempic.
• Possible menstrual cycle changes: Although changes to the menstrual cycle aren’t widely documented, some women report them. This could be related to significant weight loss or hormonal changes while taking Ozempic.
• Gallbladder issues: Rapid weight loss, whether produced by using Ozempic or not, may cause gallstones. Women, especially those who are over 40 years old, are generally more prone to gallbladder problems than men.

It’s worth noting that more women than men participated in many of the clinical trials of Ozempic. But even taking this into consideration, women experience the side effects listed here more often.

There are a few other Ozempic side effects that women and people assigned female at birth should pay special attention to and talk to their provider about:

• “Ozempic babies:” While Ozempic isn’t directly linked to infertility or fertility enhancement, a number of unplanned pregnancies have been reported by women taking it. 
• Ozempic and pregnancy: Ozempic isn’tt recommended during pregnancy or for people trying to become pregnant. It may cause harm to the fetus, as animal studies have shown potential risks like fetal abnormalities. Human studies are limited though, so there isn’t a complete understanding of its effects. Women of childbearing age who are on Ozempic are usually advised to use Ozempic and birth control during treatment and discontinue using Ozempic at least 2 months before trying to conceive due to the drug’s long half-life (the time it stays in your body).
• “Ozempic breasts:” Like any kind of rapid weight loss, losing weight with Ozempic can cause changes to breast size and composition for some women. Breast tissue naturally contains fat, so with significant weight loss, your breasts can shrink or sag due to loss of fat and volume. There’s no scientific evidence to suggest Ozempic directly affects breast tissue.
• Ozempic after menopause: Using Ozempic may have a few unique considerations for postmenopausal women, including affecting bone density. Ozempic’s effect on type 2 diabetes though can benefit postmenopausal women who are at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes.