From the Research
Monjaro (semaglutide) can potentially cause swollen eyes as a side effect, though it's not among the most commonly reported reactions. This swelling may be part of a broader allergic reaction or could be related to fluid retention, which is sometimes observed with GLP-1 receptor agonists like Monjaro. If you experience eye swelling while taking this medication, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately, especially if accompanied by difficulty breathing, rash, or facial swelling, as these could indicate a serious allergic reaction requiring urgent medical attention. Some key points to consider when evaluating the swollen eye as a side effect of Monjaro include:
- The potential for an allergic reaction, which could be managed with antihistamines or mast cell stabilizers, as discussed in 1
- The possibility of fluid retention, which may be related to the medication's impact on fluid balance in the body
- The importance of reporting any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider promptly to ensure appropriate management, as emphasized in general medical practice and studies like 2 Your doctor may need to evaluate whether the eye swelling is directly related to Monjaro or has another cause, and they might recommend temporarily stopping the medication, switching to an alternative, or prescribing treatments to address the swelling. The mechanism behind this side effect likely involves the medication's impact on fluid balance in the body or an immune system response to the drug, and further research may be needed to fully understand the relationship between Monjaro and ocular side effects, as noted in 3 and 4. In terms of managing allergic conjunctivitis, which could be a contributing factor to swollen eyes, topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms like conjunctival itching and improving signs like conjunctival injection, as demonstrated in 5. However, the primary concern with Monjaro-induced eye swelling is to ensure prompt medical attention if symptoms worsen or are accompanied by other signs of a serious reaction.