What is the cause of a lump after taking Ozempic (semaglutide)?

From the Guidelines

If you notice a lump after using Ozempic (semaglutide), you should contact your healthcare provider promptly for evaluation. According to the study published in Obesity Reviews in 2023 1, semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, has a mechanism of action as a GLP-1 analog and is used for chronic weight management in adults with or without type 2 diabetes. The study highlights common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and injection site reactions, but does not specifically mention lumps as a common side effect. However, injection site reactions are noted, which could potentially include lumps.

Key Considerations

• Lumps at injection sites can be normal and temporary, but it's crucial to have them evaluated by a healthcare provider to rule out any complications such as infection or allergic reactions.
• Proper injection technique, rotating injection sites, and allowing the medication to reach room temperature before injecting can help minimize the risk of lumps.
• The FDA indication for semaglutide includes a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² or BMI ≥ 27 kg/m² with significant complications, but it does not provide specific guidance on the management of lumps after injection.

Recommendations for Patients

• If a lump is noticed after an Ozempic injection, it should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
• Patients should be aware of the potential for injection site reactions and report any concerns to their healthcare provider.
• Regular follow-up with a healthcare provider is essential for monitoring the effectiveness of the medication and addressing any side effects or concerns.

Clinical Guidance

• Healthcare providers should assess lumps or any other concerns reported by patients taking Ozempic promptly.
• Evaluation should consider the possibility of infection, allergic reaction, or other complications, and appropriate treatment should be initiated if necessary.
• Patient education on proper injection technique and the importance of rotating injection sites can help minimize the risk of lumps and other injection site reactions.

From the FDA Drug Label

OZEMPIC may cause serious side effects, including: • Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer.

Lump after Ozempic: If you experience a lump or swelling in your neck while taking Ozempic, it may be a symptom of thyroid cancer.

• You should inform your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.
• It is not known if Ozempic will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people 2.
• Patients with thyroid nodules noted on physical examination or neck imaging should also be further evaluated 2.

From the Research

Lump After Ozempic

There are several studies that have investigated the safety and efficacy of semaglutide, also known as Ozempic, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

• The studies have reported various adverse events associated with semaglutide, including injection-site reactions, gastrointestinal side effects, and ocular adverse events 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• However, none of the studies specifically mention a "lump" as a common adverse event associated with semaglutide.
• One study compared the injection-site experience of semaglutide and dulaglutide, and found that semaglutide was associated with less injection-site pain 3.
• Another study discussed the safety of semaglutide and reported that it is generally well-tolerated, with mostly mild-to-moderate and transient gastrointestinal disturbances, and an increased risk of biliary disease (cholelithiasis) 5.
• A study on the safety of injectable semaglutide for type 2 diabetes reported that semaglutide has a favorable risk/benefit profile, with a low risk of severe adverse events, but noted a modest signal for increased gall bladder adverse events and an increase in diabetic retinopathy events 6.
• A real-world study on the association between various dosage forms of semaglutide and ocular adverse events found that subcutaneous injections have a higher frequency of reports concerning retinal complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, ischemic optic neuropathy, retinal detachment, retinal tear, and retinal hemorrhage 7.