Adverse Effects of Ozempic: Can It Have a Serious Impact on Health?

Ozempic and its counterpart Wegovy are perhaps the most famous and talked-about drugs on social media in 2024.

These are two medications from the GLP-1 agonist family. One, Ozempic, is indicated for controlling blood glucose in people with diabetes; the other, Wegovy, more recently developed, is indicated for treating overweight and obesity. Both have demonstrated in clinical trials the ability to reduce body weight by up to 15% with a weekly injection, and they have become highly sought after, promoted by celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Elon Musk, to the point where their supplies have run out globally on several occasions.

But is this a safe drug? Ozempic and Wegovy share the same active ingredient, semaglutide, and both had to pass toxicity and safety tests to be approved.

The most frequent side effects reported by patients in studies (and in practice) are digestive discomforts, such as gallstones, elevated pancreatic enzymes, indigestion, abdominal bloating, acid reflux, constipation, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Dizziness and fatigue were also reported.

Other less frequent side effects include changes in the taste of food and beverages, accelerated heart rate, skin reactions at the injection site, allergic reactions, and possible delays in gastric emptying.

Among the rare and serious side effects of Ozempic are pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and some severe allergic reactions. Other serious effects, though not specified in terms of frequency in the drug’s leaflet, include intestinal obstructions. The most severe and frequent side effect is the complication of diabetic retinopathy (diabetic eye disease).

Additionally, Ozempic has contraindications, as outlined by the Danish manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, in the drug’s leaflet. These include not being recommended for people allergic to semaglutide or any other component of the medication. It is also contraindicated in people with type 1 diabetes or certain liver or kidney conditions.

It is not recommended for minors, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, or women planning to become pregnant.

It’s important to clarify that this is not the complete or definitive list of potential adverse effects associated with this drug, as there are no studies beyond ten years, and the monitoring of side effects is an ongoing process that does not end with the clinical trial phase.