From the Guidelines
Semaglutide is associated with several side effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, as well as more serious but rare side effects like pancreatitis and thyroid C-cell tumors, and patients should be closely monitored for these adverse effects 1.
Common Side Effects
- Gastrointestinal symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation
- Injection site reactions
- Headache, fatigue, dizziness
- Hypoglycemia (particularly when used with other diabetes medications)
Serious but Rare Side Effects
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder problems
- Kidney injury
- Allergic reactions
- Potential increased risk of thyroid C-cell tumors (based on animal studies)
Management of Side Effects
- Follow the prescribed dosing schedule, which typically starts with a lower dose that gradually increases over weeks or months
- Stay well-hydrated, eat smaller meals, and avoid fatty foods to manage gastrointestinal symptoms
- Promptly report severe or persistent side effects to the healthcare provider, as dosage adjustments may be necessary The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2024, provides guidance on the management of side effects associated with semaglutide, emphasizing the importance of close monitoring and prompt reporting of adverse effects 1.
From the Research
Semaglutide Side Effects
- The most common side effects of semaglutide include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as reported in studies 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Other potential side effects of semaglutide include acute pancreatitis, anesthetic risks like pulmonary aspiration or residual gastric content, acute kidney injury, acute gallbladder injury, nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy 2.
- Semaglutide has also been associated with increased incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events, including eructation, hypoaesthesia oral, and constipation 3.
- The risk of gastrointestinal adverse events may be higher in patients with certain characteristics, such as older age and higher body weight 3.
- Semaglutide has been shown to have a beneficial effect on body weight and systolic blood pressure, but may also increase the risk of hypoglycemia and pancreatitis 4, 5.
- Online information about semaglutide side effects and safety concerns is available on social media platforms like YouTube, but the quality and accuracy of this information may vary 6.
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
- Gastrointestinal adverse events are a common side effect of semaglutide, with a reporting odds ratio (ROR) ranging from 1.01 to 42.03 3.
- The most common gastrointestinal side effects of semaglutide include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea 3, 4, 5.
- Other potential gastrointestinal side effects of semaglutide include constipation, eructation, and hypoaesthesia oral 3.
Serious Side Effects
- Semaglutide has been associated with serious side effects, including acute pancreatitis, anesthetic risks, acute kidney injury, acute gallbladder injury, nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy 2.
- The risk of these serious side effects may be higher in patients with certain characteristics, such as a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 2.