From the Guidelines
Ozempic (Semaglutide) has several adverse effects, including gastrointestinal side effects, pancreatitis, and potential thyroid C-cell tumors.
Adverse Effects of Ozempic (Semaglutide)
- Gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and esophageal reflux are common with Ozempic use 1.
- Pancreatitis has been reported in clinical trials, but causality has not been established, and it is recommended to discontinue Ozempic if pancreatitis is suspected 1.
- There is a potential risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, although the human relevance is not determined, and a black box warning is in place 1.
- Other adverse effects include injection site reactions, elevated heart rate, hypoglycemia, and gallbladder disease 1.
- Ozempic may also cause delayed gastric emptying, which can lead to nausea and vomiting, and gradual dose titration may help mitigate these adverse effects 1.
- Additionally, Ozempic has been associated with diabetic retinopathy complications, which may be related to its rapid and marked glucose and A1C reductions 1.
- It is essential to use Ozempic with caution in patients with severe renal impairment or end-stage renal disease, as well as those with a history of pancreatitis or gallbladder disease 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
OZEMPIC may cause serious side effects, including: • inflammation of your pancreas(pancreatitis). • changes in vision. • low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). • kidney problems (kidney failure) • serious allergic reactions The most common side effects of OZEMPIC may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain and constipation.
The adverse effects of Ozempic (Semaglutide) include:
- Serious side effects:
- Pancreatitis
- Changes in vision
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Kidney problems (kidney failure)
- Serious allergic reactions
- Common side effects:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation 2
From the Research
Adverse Effects of Ozempic (Semaglutide)
The adverse effects of Ozempic (Semaglutide) include:
- Gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which are commonly reported with semaglutide treatment 3, 4, 5, 6
- Increased risk of biliary disease, including cholelithiasis 3
- Pancreatitis, which has been reported in patients taking semaglutide 4, 5
- Diabetic retinopathy, which may be exacerbated by semaglutide treatment, particularly in patients also taking insulin 3, 4, 5
- Acute kidney injury, which has been reported in patients taking semaglutide 4, 7
- Thyroid cancer, although the risk is still uncertain due to the low incidence of this condition 3
- Gallbladder events, including acute gallbladder injury 4
- Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, which has been reported in patients taking semaglutide 4
- Severe allergic reactions, which have been reported in patients taking semaglutide 5
- Injection-site reactions, which have been reported in patients taking subcutaneous semaglutide 3
Specific Adverse Effects
Some specific adverse effects of semaglutide include:
- Hypoglycemia, which may occur in patients taking semaglutide, particularly when used in combination with other glucose-lowering medications 3
- Cardiovascular events, although semaglutide has been shown to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease 7
- Anesthetic risks, including pulmonary aspiration or residual gastric content, which may be increased in patients taking semaglutide 4