What Does Ozempic do to you

Revealed: ALL of the side effects

Novo has no intention of developing a miraculous medication for weight loss. The Danish company has spent decades developing a medication that helps people with type 2 diabetes control their insulin levels.

Liraglutide, marketed under the names Victoza (authorized in 2010 for diabetes) and Saxenda (approved in 2014 for weight loss), was their first successful product.

The long-acting GLP-1 counterpart semaglutide was then created. They altered the molecule's structure to make it adhere to blood proteins and withstand degradation by adding a fatty acid chain. The outcome? A medication that is administered once a week rather than every day.

Early in the 2010s, semaglutide began clinical studies, and the first significant study findings were released in 2016. These soon exposed a potent adverse effect: patients were reporting previously unheard-of weight reduction and significantly reduced appetites.

The race to reframe semaglutide as a slimming agent had already started when the Danish pharmaceutical behemoth realized what it had.

Novo changed course and started a significant clinical trial especially for obesity, this time utilizing a little greater dose of semaglutide, because the weight loss effects were so noticeable. In 2021, the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published historic findings that garnered international attention.

​The patients dropped an average of 15% of their body weight, or the first 6 pounds, which was a result of stomach shrinkage surgery. In contrast, people who received a placebo and followed the identical 500-calorie diet and exercise regimen only lost 2.6 kg (6 lbs). Experts disregarded side effects including nausea and diarrhea as "predictable" and not severe enough to cause concern.

Semaglutide was authorized later that year under the new Wegovy brand. In the battle against obesity, Novo celebrated it as the start of "a new era."

​What are the side effects of Ozempic?

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Common side effects

Common side effects of Ozempic are generally mild to moderate and include:

• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• fatigue,
• dizziness,
• abdominal pain,
• bloating,
• burping,
• heartburn,
• loss of appetite,
• blurred vision, and
• injection site reactions.

Serious side effects

Although less common, Ozempic can also cause more serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

• hypoglycemia (especially when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas),
• allergic reactions, gallstones,
• tachycardia,
• pancreatitis, and
• kidney damage.

Common side effects in more detail

Nausea

A typical side effect of Ozempic is nausea, which affects 15% to 23% of people. Most people have mild to moderate nausea, although it can frequently result in stomach pain and the desire to throw up. The good news is that once your body gets used to the drug, nausea normally goes away. Get in touch with your healthcare professional if you suffer from extreme nausea.

Tips for managing nausea

• Eat slowly
• Consume smaller portions of food more frequently
• Avoid fatty foods
• Stay hydrated
• Rest after eating
• Avoid lying down after a meal
• Try ginger or peppermint

Diarrhea

Another common side effect of Ozempic is diarrhea. It is typically mild to moderate, occurring in about 8% to 14% of patients. You may experience frequent, loose, or watery stools. Diarrhea is most likely to happen within the first weeks of starting Ozempic, and it should get better with time.

Tips for managing diarrhea

• Eat smaller meals
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
• Avoid fatty and spicy foods
• Consume water-rich foods
• Do not consume products with sweeteners ending in “ol” (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol)
• Consider over-the-counter remedies after consulting a healthcare provider

Constipation

Although less frequent than other stomach-related adverse effects, constipation from Ozempic still affects 3% to 7% of people. You can have difficult or infrequent bowel movements. Although it can occur at any point during the first several months of Ozempic medication, constipation is more common during the first 28 days.

Tips for managing constipation

• Keep track of how much fiber you are eating to make sure you get enough
• Increase your daily fiber intake slowly, if needed
• Stay hydrated
• Maintain a regular toilet routine
• Exercise regularly
• Consider over-the-counter remedies after consulting a healthcare provider

Fatigue

It isn’t clear why Ozempic causes some people to feel tired, but it may be due to its effect on appetite. People taking Ozempic may eat less, which can mean less energy for the body. This can cause persistent tiredness or lack of energy. In clinical studies, more than 0.4% of people reported fatigue as a side effect from Ozempic. Consult a healthcare provider if fatigue persists.
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Tips for managing fatigue

• Ensure adequate rest
• Maintain a balanced diet
• Stay hydrated
• Manage stress with relaxation techniques

Hypoglycemia

When Ozempic is taken with insulin or sulfonylureas, the risk of developing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) increases. One to four percent of patients experience hypoglycemia when taking Ozempic by itself. Of individuals receiving Ozempic and a long-acting insulin, 16% to 30% experience hypoglycemia. Between 17% and 24% of people who take Ozempic together with a sulfonylurea experience hypoglycemia. Although severe cases sometimes occur, mild to moderate hypoglycemia is the norm.

Check your blood sugar level if you suffer from hypoglycemia symptoms, such as shakiness, sweating, blurred vision, or dizziness. 15 grams of fast-acting carbs should be taken if your blood sugar is low (70 mg/dL or below). After fifteen minutes, check your blood sugar levels once more. If your blood sugar level is less than 55 mg/dL or you are not reacting to fast-acting sugar sources, get emergency medical attention. If you need to change your dosage, speak with your doctor.​

Allergic reactions
Severe allergic reactions to Ozempic are rare, occurring in less than 1% of patients. If you experience allergy symptoms such as hives, swelling in your face or throat, or trouble breathing, stop using Ozempic and seek immediate medical attention.


Gallstones

Rarely, patients taking Ozempic experience gallstones. Gallstones occur in less than 2% of patients taking Ozempic. Contact your healthcare provider for further evaluation if you experience severe abdominal pain, fever, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes.

Tachycardia

Some people who take Ozempic may experience an increase in their heart rate of about 2 to 3 beats per minute. Tachycardia from Ozempic is rare. Monitor your heart rate, avoid stimulants, and consult your healthcare provider if you experience persistent or severe symptoms.

Thyroid cancer (lump in neck)

Less than 1% of patients who took Ozempic developed thyroid cancer. In animal studies, the active ingredient of Ozempic (semaglutide) caused tumors. It is unknown if Ozempic causes cancer in humans. Consult your healthcare provider if you notice any unusual lumps or swelling in your neck, trouble swallowing, or a hoarse voice.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis from Ozempic is a rare side effect, occurring in less than 1% of patients. Signs of pancreatitis include severe stomach pain and vomiting. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms. If you do develop pancreatitis while taking Ozempic, it is not recommended to start the medication again.


Kidney damage

Rarely, some patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic have reported kidney injury and worsening kidney function. Because Ozempic can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea as side effects, you are more likely to become dehydrated. Dehydration can contribute to kidney injury. Make sure to stay hydrated and consult your healthcare provider if you experience symptoms such as swelling or changes in urination.

Celebrities and the Fat Jab

Last year, Elon Musk disclosed that he had lost forty pounds using Ozempic and Mounjaro, two similar weight-loss medications.
The richest man in the world, who is now Donald Trump's "first buddy," revealed his metamorphosis in December 2024 when he shared a photo of himself dressed as Santa Claus online and jokingly called himself "Ozempic santa."
Other famous people who have used weight loss drugs include Oprah Winfrey, who admitted to using a weight loss drug but never specified which one, and Whoopi Goldberg, who claimed to have lost almost fifty pounds while on Mounjaro.
Amy Schumer claimed to have lost thirty pounds while taking Ozempic, but she also disclosed that the nausea caused by the medication had left her bedridden. Open about her experience, she told Howard Stern 's SiriusXM show, 'I looked great, but I couldn't lift my head off the pillow. So what's the point?'