From the Guidelines
Ozempic (semaglutide) can cause several side effects, including common gastrointestinal issues and rare but serious complications, with a 38% higher risk of severe adverse events (SAEs) compared to placebo, as reported in a 2022 study 1.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation These side effects typically improve over time as the body adjusts to the medication.
Serious Side Effects
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Gallbladder problems
- Hypoglycemia (especially when used with insulin or sulfonylureas)
- Kidney problems
- Allergic reactions There is also a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma, though this has primarily been observed in animal studies.
Death Risk
While extremely rare, severe adverse events like pancreatitis or severe allergic reactions could potentially be life-threatening if not promptly treated. The FDA has also investigated reports of suicidal thoughts in patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic, though a causal relationship hasn't been established, as noted in a 2023 study 1.
Recommendations
Patients should immediately report symptoms like severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, yellowing of skin, or signs of allergic reactions to their healthcare provider. These risks must be weighed against the benefits of improved blood sugar control and potential weight loss, especially for patients with type 2 diabetes who may face serious complications without adequate treatment, as discussed in a 2024 study 1.
Additional Considerations
A 2023 study 1 and a 2024 study 1 provide further guidance on the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide, in patients with type 2 diabetes, highlighting the importance of careful patient selection and monitoring to minimize the risk of adverse events.
From the FDA Drug Label
OZEMPIC may cause serious side effects, including: • Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer • inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). • changes in vision. • low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). • kidney problems (kidney failure) • serious allergic reactions
The possible side effects of Ozempic (semaglutide) include serious allergic reactions, pancreatitis, changes in vision, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and kidney problems (kidney failure).
- Key side effects to watch out for are:
- Severe pain in the stomach area that will not go away
- Changes in vision
- Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness, blurred vision, and sweating
- Signs and symptoms of kidney problems, such as loss of fluids and dehydration
- Important safety information: Ozempic may cause thyroid tumors, including cancer. There is no direct information in the provided drug labels about the risk of death associated with Ozempic. 2 2
From the Research
Side Effects of Ozempic (Semaglutide)
- Gastrointestinal disturbances, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation, are common side effects of semaglutide 3, 4, 5
- Increased risk of biliary disease (cholelithiasis) has been reported 3
- Pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer are potential safety concerns, but definitive conclusions cannot be drawn due to low incidence of these conditions 3, 6, 5
- Thyroid cancer is also a potential safety concern, but more research is needed to fully understand the risk 3
- Gallbladder events, cardiovascular aspects, acute kidney injury, and diabetic retinopathy complications are other potential side effects of semaglutide 3
- Injection-site and allergic reactions have also been reported 3
Risk of Death
- Three deaths were reported in a clinical trial of semaglutide, but the causes of death were not specified 4
- A case report described a patient who died from semaglutide-induced acute pancreatitis after four years of use 6
- The FDA has added fatal effects to the list of side effects of semaglutide, but the exact risk of death is not well established 7