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Ozempic is probably the most hyped diabetes drug ever. It was accepted in 2017 however solely turned a social media weight reduction sensation in 2022, as Diabetes Every day notes.
With so many individuals sharing their experiences within the public sq., we’re studying about Ozempic’s unwanted side effects in a manner that even a part 3 trial may by no means reveal. Each few weeks, it appears, we hear that TikTok customers are shining a lightweight on one other new Ozempic aspect impact.
This text will element the whole lot we learn about Ozempic unwanted side effects — the nice, the unhealthy, the scientifically verified, and the anecdotal.
A short notice: This text makes use of the model title Ozempic to discuss with semaglutide, the drug’s energetic ingredient. Semaglutide can also be marketed underneath two different names, Wegovy (when it’s offered for weight reduction) and Rybelsus (when it’s within the type of a tablet moderately than an injection), per Diabetes Every day. Different associated medication, akin to liraglutide (Victoza) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), might or might not trigger a number of the identical unwanted side effects, in line with Diabetes Every day.
Gastrointestinal Facet Results: Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Belly Ache, and Constipation
These uncomfortable tummy troubles make up Ozempic’s commonest and most mentioned unwanted side effects by far.
Whereas a majority of customers don’t understand these pains, a considerable minority do. And for some, the gastrointestinal misery is simply an excessive amount of to deal with, and they should cease taking Ozempic solely. As a blogger for New York journal’s The Minimize put it, “You may undergo hell on your post-Ozempic physique.” The writer spoke to a 42-year-old girl with diabetes who endured “fixed nausea” and “power-puking” for weeks, earlier than lastly weaning herself off the drug.
In accordance with the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA), placebo-controlled trials of Ozempic discovered the next charges of unwanted side effects from the 1 milligram (mg) dose:
Smaller numbers reported signs akin to acid reflux disease and extreme belching or flatulence.
All advised, 30.8 % of adults reported a gastrointestinal symptom. However that was solely the 1 mg dose, half of the utmost. The numbers had been a lot increased in a trial of semaglutide (Wegovy) at 2.4 mg in folks with out diabetes:
- Nausea: 44.2 %
- Vomiting: 24.8 %
- Diarrhea: 31.5 %
- Belly ache: 10.0 %
- Constipation: 23.4 %
At this, the best dosage of semaglutide obtainable, an unimaginable 74 % of members skilled at the least one gastrointestinal dysfunction, although it’s price noting that just about 50 % of those that took a placebo additionally had some tummy troubles. Solely 4.5 % of the semaglutide sufferers stopped taking the treatment as a direct results of gastrointestinal problems.
Experiences from the Diabetes Every day discussion board recommend that these unlucky results are strongest within the days instantly after injecting the once-weekly treatment. Sufferers are additionally most certainly to expertise issues once they begin on the drug or once they step as much as a better dosage; the unwanted side effects generally fade away because the physique will get used to the medication.
What’s the easiest way to cope with these nasty issues? Diabetes Every day has a complete article on the topic.
Ozempic Burps
A foul-smelling burp isn’t precisely probably the most debilitating of unwanted side effects, nevertheless it’s price realizing about. As reported in The Atlantic, and mentioned in lots of TikTok movies, some folks taking Ozempic discover themselves emitting nasty sulfurous smells once they belch. There’s broad settlement that the burps odor like rotten eggs.
Solely a minority of individuals expertise sulfurous burps, doubtless fewer than 10 %. Anecdotal experiences recommend that the burps, like different gastrointestinal points, are worst when sufferers start taking their medication or step as much as increased dosages.
Bloating and Farting
These uncomfortable unwanted side effects had been reported in medical trials as “belly distension” and “flatulence.” Bloating and farting complaints are much less frequent than the gastrointestinal results mentioned above, they usually have but to catch on as sizzling subjects on social media, nevertheless it’s good to know that Ozempic and associated medication might enhance their probability.
Ozempic Face and Ozempic Butt
“Ozempic face” might have been the primary Ozempic aspect impact to go viral. In January 2023, everybody was speaking about this rumored aspect impact which was lined lavishly within the mainstream media, as Diabetes Every day reported. In June 2023, the sample repeated itself when claims of “Ozempic butt” hit headlines, akin to in Good Housekeeping. In every case, customers complained that the drug had given them a stunning and unlucky flabby look, within the face, within the derriere, or maybe in each.
There’s nothing to fret about. There isn’t a proof that Ozempic or another related drug instantly impacts your look. Consultants agree that Ozempic face and Ozempic butt are purely brought on by weight reduction. The identical flabby outcome can happen whenever you drop a few pounds the old school manner.
While you lose quite a lot of weight, you may additionally lose a number of the healthy-looking fats in your face. Fast weight reduction can even result in flabby pores and skin: The pores and skin is an adaptable and elastic organ, nevertheless it can not snap immediately again right into a taut form. Profitable dieters have struggled with these points since lengthy earlier than Ozempic got here on the scene.
Gastroparesis (Abdomen Paralysis)
Weight reduction medication akin to Ozempic have been tied to a uncommon however elevated threat of extreme abdomen issues in line with analysis printed in October 2023. In July 2023, CNN reported that some semaglutide customers had skilled gastroparesis, or abdomen paralysis, which in some circumstances didn’t get higher even months after discontinuing the medication.
Gastroparesis is a situation wherein the abdomen empties too slowly or stops, per the Nationwide Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Illnesses; it causes a wide range of gastrointestinal signs together with bloating, belly ache, nausea, and vomiting. Within the worst circumstances gastroparesis could make it very troublesome to eat or drink something in any respect, resulting in a threat of dehydration or malnutrition.
Delayed abdomen emptying, the defining function of gastroparesis, is a recognized consequence of Ozempic and associated medication. This delayed emptying has optimistic results, serving to to cut back starvation and provoke weight reduction, in addition to adverse ones, contributing to gastrointestinal discomfort.
Fortunately, extreme and chronic gastroparesis seems to be very uncommon. The symptom was not recognized in any of the drug’s part 3 trials, which enrolled hundreds of members to judge semaglutide’s security.
Pritesh Mutha, MD, a gastroenterologist and affiliate professor at McGovern Medical College at UTHealth Houston, advised Diabetes Every day that the danger of extreme gastroparesis is presently unimaginable to evaluate: “We do not have the info to point out how most of the individuals who take this drug truly expertise gastroparesis.”
Ileus (Non permanent Intestinal Paralysis)
Abdomen paralysis isn’t the one extreme gastrointestinal aspect impact that customers have reported.
In late September 2023, the FDA up to date the official Ozempic label to warn customers of a possible threat of ileus, a kind of intestinal blockage. In accordance with the Cleveland Clinic, ileus happens when “the muscle contractions that transfer meals by means of your intestines are briefly paralyzed,” trapping meals inside the intestine. The signs resemble these of a bodily bowel obstruction, together with bloating and constipation, and the situation can result in dehydration.
Ileus is probably going a uncommon aspect impact — it wasn’t recognized in earlier medical trials, which evaluated semaglutide in hundreds of members. In its up to date steerage, the FDA famous, “As a result of these reactions are reported voluntarily from a inhabitants of unsure dimension, it’s not at all times potential to reliably estimate their frequency or set up a causal relationship to drug publicity.”
Hair Loss
Ozempic could cause hair loss, per Diabetes Every day. Whereas it isn’t listed as a aspect impact on Ozempic’s FDA label, hair loss is listed on the FDA’s label for Wegovy, basically the identical treatment. Three % of members within the drug’s pivotal trial reported hair loss (3 occasions as many as those that used a placebo).
Like Ozempic face and Ozempic butt, nevertheless, this isn’t a worrying chemical impact of the medication however moderately an inevitable consequence of fast weight reduction. Dramatic weight reduction, regardless of the way it’s induced, typically causes hair loss. For instance, a examine printed in 1974 of crash dieters discovered a number of circumstances of “profuse hair loss.” And greater than half of people that obtain bariatric surgical procedure expertise hair loss, too, per analysis.
The excellent news: A examine printed in 2017 discovered that “hair loss stopped and new hair progressively grew out in all sufferers.” Hopefully, the minority of Ozempic customers that lose some hair on the drug can have the identical good luck.
Fatigue
There are experiences that Ozempic could cause fatigue — principally, tiredness or exhaustion that isn’t improved by sleep. The FDA label for semaglutide (Wegovy) experiences that 11 % of trial members skilled fatigue, a little bit bit greater than twice as typically as those that used a placebo.
It’s unclear why Ozempic would trigger fatigue, though one very believable clarification is the truth that it causes folks to eat a lot much less meals. Ozempic causes excessive weight reduction by encouraging customers to eat at an excessive calorie deficit. You’re placing much less gasoline into your physique. Is it any surprise {that a} crash food regimen can sap your vitality?
Dizziness
Dizziness has additionally been reported in a slim minority of Ozempic customers. It’s potential that Ozempic dizziness stems from the glucose-lowering results of the drug — dizziness is a standard symptom of hypoglycemia, in line with Diabetes Every day. Even sufferers who will not be vulnerable to extreme hypoglycemia (usually these that don’t use insulin or sulfonylureas) might really feel dizzy whereas experiencing transient low blood sugar episodes.
Muscle Loss
It’s inevitable that weight reduction will contain some muscle loss. That is thought of wholesome and pure.
Some consultants, nevertheless, consider that Ozempic and associated medication are inflicting a stunning and worrying quantity of muscle loss, greater than we see with different weight reduction strategies.
We solely have a modicum of fine information on this query. Physique composition analyses of volunteers in two trials (printed in Diabetologia and The New England Journal of Drugs) discovered that semaglutide customers misplaced about 40 % lean mass and 60 % fats. A evaluate printed in 2017 acknowledged that dieters utilizing different strategies to drop a few pounds are inclined to lose solely 20 to 30 % lean mass.
The science right here stays unsettled; we don’t know if Ozempic causes further muscle loss. Both manner, consultants agree that it will be smart for Ozempic customers to interact in strength-building workout routines to assist protect muscle mass throughout weight reduction. Consuming sufficient protein can also assist.
This potential aspect impact can also be a great reminder that Ozempic is inappropriate for individuals who should not have a great medical motive to drop a few pounds.
Ozempic Goals
Behold, probably the most beguiling of all Ozempic unwanted side effects: the Ozempic dream. In April, The Wall Avenue Journal reported that many customers had been experiencing unusual vivid goals, typically involving celebrities.
It’s unimaginable to know if this can be a actual aspect impact or only a social media confabulation, although in line with Insider, some consultants have speculated on ways in which the drug — or the load loss it creates — may improve vivid dreaming.
Addictive and Compulsive Habits Reduction
Many Ozempic customers are amazed to search out that they’re partaking in much less addictive and compulsive habits. By some means the drug seems to cut back our damaging tendency to overindulge in actions like consuming, procuring, playing, or to compulsively decide at our pores and skin or chew our nails.
The science right here remains to be in its infancy, however it seems that one of many causes Ozempic is ready to stem starvation cues is by appearing instantly within the mind, per analysis. We all know that Ozempic doesn’t simply assist you to really feel full quicker, it truly lowers your yearning for meals. And it appears as if it reduces your yearning for different issues, too.
Consultants have recognized for years that GLP-1 receptor agonists may need these behavioral results. In a examine printed in 2022 of exenatide (Byetta), mind scans confirmed that the drug lowered exercise in “essential mind areas for drug reward and dependancy.” It additionally calmed down the mind’s dopamine circuitry.
We’re years away from the day that Ozempic or any associated drug will likely be prescribed as a remedy for addictive or compulsive habits. However within the meantime, it may assist customers with extra than simply compulsive consuming.
Suicidal Ideas
Regulators within the European Union and United Kingdom have signaled that they’re investigating experiences that Ozempic and related medication are inflicting ideas of suicide and self-harm.
In the USA, the FDA already acknowledges a threat of suicidal ideation with GLP-1 receptor agonists, however just for sufferers with out kind 2 diabetes. Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) each carry warnings about suicidal habits and ideation on their official FDA labels. However when both drug is offered to be used as a diabetes treatment, as Ozempic (semaglutide) or Victoza (liraglutide), there isn’t any such warning.
The FDA recommends that semaglutide shouldn’t be prescribed to “sufferers with a historical past of suicidal makes an attempt or energetic suicidal ideation,” and that customers ought to be monitored for rising or worsening despair.
Coronary heart Fee Will increase
There’s been surprisingly little on-line chatter about this aspect impact, which is famous on Ozempic’s FDA label. In medical trials, decrease doses of Ozempic “resulted in a imply enhance in coronary heart charge of two to three beats per minute.” Some sufferers, like a lady profiled by The Minimize, discovered the expertise extraordinarily uncomfortable.
The FDA advises sufferers to “inform their healthcare suppliers of palpitations or emotions of a racing heartbeat whereas at relaxation.” Sufferers that skilled “sustained” will increase in resting coronary heart charge ought to discontinue the treatment.
Worsening Eyesight
Individuals with diabetes ought to know that there’s some proof that semaglutide (Ozempic) might enhance the incidence of diabetic retinopathy. In accordance with Pharmacy Instances, one in every of a number of pivotal research of semaglutide discovered an elevated threat of DR, and the FDA has reported {that a} considerably increased share of Ozempic customers have DR compared with customers of comparable medication like dulaglutide (Trulicity) and liraglutide (Victoza), per analysis. The connection is disputed, nevertheless, as one other giant examine of semaglutide discovered no such threat.
If the connection is actual, it appears potential that Ozempic’s unimaginable effectiveness explains its adverse impact on the eyes. Opposite to all expectations, fast enchancment in glucose management can truly worsen diabetic retinopathy. As Diabetes Every day reported, that is referred to as “early worsening,” as a result of the eyes will worsen earlier than the foremost long-term advantages of higher blood sugar management develop into evident.
A latest dialogue of the difficulty by consultants from the American Academy of Ophthalmology steered that “early worsening” from Ozempic is each “non permanent and manageable,” though it does name for elevated scrutiny from eye medical doctors.
Hypoglycemia
Whereas Ozempic most likely doesn’t itself trigger hypoglycemia, its glucose-lowering impact can sharply enhance the chances that insulin or sulfonylureas trigger hypoglycemia.
You probably have diabetes and also you’re beginning a brand new GLP-1 receptor agonist, it’s potential that you just’ll want to alter the dosages of the opposite diabetes medication that you just use. Your physician can also ask you to be further vigilant about checking your blood sugar. When you’re not comfy altering your insulin-dosing practices by your self, you need to be able to contact your physician between visits to get clearance for making changes.
Uncommon, Critical Facet Results
Semaglutide additionally results in a small variety of uncommon however probably severe unwanted side effects:
- Pancreatitis This situation, wherein the digestive enzymes assault the pancreas, might really feel like intense abdomen ache that radiates to your again.
- Kidney Failure Analysis signifies that some circumstances of semaglutide contribute to kidney illness. Dehydrating unwanted side effects, notably diarrhea and vomiting, might improve this threat.
- Gallbladder Illness This will trigger extreme abdomen ache, yellowing of the eyes or pores and skin, fever, and “clay-colored stools.”
- Thyroid C-Cell Tumors It’s unknown if semaglutide truly causes these probably cancerous tumors in people, nevertheless it has been noticed in research of rodents.
There have additionally been some experiences of allergic reactions to GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Ozempic is highly effective stuff: When you’re experiencing a response that you would be able to’t clarify, please attain out to your healthcare supplier.
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