Does Ozempic Contain Sulfa?
No, Ozempic (semaglutide) does not contain any sulfa compounds or sulfonamide derivatives. 1
Chemical Composition of Ozempic
According to the FDA drug label, Ozempic contains the following ingredients 1:
Active ingredient:
- Semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide produced by yeast fermentation) 1
Inactive ingredients:
- Disodium phosphate dihydrate 1
- Propylene glycol 1
- Phenol 1
- Water for injections 1
- Hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) 1
Molecular Structure
- Semaglutide has a molecular formula of C187H291N45O59 with a molecular weight of 4113.58 g/mol 1
- The peptide backbone is modified with albumin-binding properties through a C18 fatty di-acid chain and includes stabilization against DPP-4 enzyme degradation 1
- None of these structural modifications involve sulfonamide groups 1
Clinical Implications
- Patients with sulfa allergies can safely use Ozempic, as there is no cross-reactivity risk 1
- The medication is contraindicated only in patients with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 2, 3
- Common adverse effects are gastrointestinal (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting) rather than allergic reactions typical of sulfa medications 2