Ozempic side effects: 10 ways this weight loss drug can affect your body

Ozempic might have an effect on your face, bowel actions and hair. Take a look at the Ozempic uncomfortable side effects earlier than taking this anti-diabetes drug for blood sugar administration and weight reduction.
Resulting from its position in managing diabetes, Ozempic, the model title for the remedy semaglutide, is gaining a variety of consideration. Additionally it is identified for being an efficient weight reduction drug. However the advantages are sometimes accompanied by hostile results. A few of them, together with nausea and constipation, are fairly frequent. However the listing is solely rising, with some experiencing hostile results like Ozempic face and hair loss. So, earlier than taking the weekly pictures to handle kind 2 diabetes and shed weight, get to know concerning the Ozempic uncomfortable side effects.
What are the advantages of Ozempic?
Earlier than transferring on to Ozempic uncomfortable side effects, undergo its advantages:
1. Blood sugar management
This remedy improves blood sugar regulation by mimicking the pure hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). “It stimulates the discharge of insulin, which is a hormone that lowers blood glucose, and reduces the discharge of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood glucose,” explains endocrinologist Dr Sandeep Kharb.

2. Weight reduction
It is among the well-liked weight reduction medicine, although it isn’t accepted by the US Meals and Drug Administration for this objective. “It acts on areas of the mind concerned in urge for food regulation, significantly the hypothalamus, which helps scale back starvation and meals cravings,” says the professional.
3. Might assist enhance liver well being
Research are being performed on the advantages of Ozempic. One such examine, revealed in The New England Journal Of Medication in April 2025, confirmed that semaglutide will help to enhance liver well being in individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, which is a sort of liver illness.
What are the Ozempic uncomfortable side effects?
Listed below are among the Ozempic uncomfortable side effects:
1. Nausea
A gastrointestinal problem comparable to nausea is among the frequent hostile results of semaglutide, in response to analysis revealed in Frontiers In Public Well being. “It happens as a result of the drugs slows down gastric emptying, which might make customers really feel overly full. It’s normally distinguished whereas beginning the remedy and tends to subside inside a couple of weeks because the physique adapts,” says Dr Kharb.
2. Vomiting
Vomiting, one of many Ozempic uncomfortable side effects, is commonly linked to the identical mechanism inflicting nausea. “This implies delayed abdomen emptying and modifications within the intestine perform can result in vomiting,” says the professional. The episodes normally reduce with continued use and dose adjustment.
3. Diarrhea
This occurs resulting from modifications in gastrointestinal motility (the motion of meals from the mouth by means of the throat, abdomen, intestines, and out of the physique) brought on by the load loss drug. It tends to be gentle to reasonable in depth and normally resolves inside a couple of weeks.
4. Constipation
If not diarrhea, some individuals might expertise constipation. Slowed bowel actions could also be considered one of Ozempic uncomfortable side effects resulting from delayed digestion. It could possibly final for a number of weeks however typically improves with hydration, fibre consumption, and time.
5. Belly ache
“Many individuals who use Ozempic for weight reduction or diabetes administration expertise abdomen discomfort or cramps,” says the professional. It’s typically associated to gastrointestinal changes. It normally improves as soon as the physique will get used to the remedy.
6. Fatigue
Feeling drained or low in vitality might happen resulting from diminished calorie consumption, particularly throughout the preliminary weight reduction part. “Fatigue, considered one of Ozempic uncomfortable side effects, is often short-lived and should resolve because the physique adjusts,” says the professional.
7. Hair loss
Hair loss could also be skilled by some people utilizing Ozempic, however it isn’t one of many frequent Ozempic uncomfortable side effects. “The drugs typically results in vital and fast weight discount, which can result in telogen effluvium, a short lived kind of hair loss,” says the professional. Additionally, as individuals shed weight, particularly if dietary consumption is restricted, they could not get sufficient important vitamins like iron, zinc, protein, and B nutritional vitamins. A deficiency in these vitamins also can contribute to hair loss.
8. Ozempic face
Ozempic face can also be not one of many frequent Ozempic uncomfortable side effects. It’s a colloquial time period coined to explain the facial modifications some individuals expertise after rapidly shedding weight with the assistance of Ozempic. “Individuals might expertise sagging pores and skin and hole cheeks,” says the professional. There’s one other facet impact linked to it. Ozempic mouth is one other time period utilized by some individuals to seek advice from the pronounced folds on the corners of the mouth, and sagging pores and skin, particularly alongside the lip and chin areas. “These modifications are resulting from quantity loss within the face, particularly fats and muscle, on account of fast weight reduction,” says Dr Kharb.
9. Pancreatitis
Semaglutide might have a hyperlink to the event of acute pancreatitis, in response to analysis revealed in Cureus. “It’s a uncommon, however critical situation involving irritation of the pancreas,” says the professional. Signs of this situation embody extreme belly ache, nausea and vomiting.
10. Kidney issues
Ozempic uncomfortable side effects comparable to vomiting and diarrhea can result in dehydration. “It might negatively impression kidney perform, significantly in individuals with pre-existing kidney circumstances,” says the professional.

The right way to keep away from Ozempic uncomfortable side effects?
Right here’s what you are able to do to keep away from Ozempic uncomfortable side effects:
- Begin with a low dose: Docs normally prescribe a decrease dose initially and improve it steadily in order that the physique will get time to regulate. The Ozempic dose begins with 0.25 mg as soon as every week then at week 5, your physician will improve it to 0.5 mg as soon as every week.
- Keep hydration: Ingesting loads of fluids will help stop dehydration, which in flip helps minimise kidney points and helps wholesome digestion.
- Eat wholesome: Guarantee a nutrient-rich food plan with sufficient protein, fibre and nutritional vitamins, iron, and zinc to forestall gastrointestinal issues and hair loss.
- Monitor signs: To keep away from Ozempic uncomfortable side effects, intently look ahead to any indicators of hostile reactions, and search medical recommendation promptly.
There’s a variety of curiosity round Ozempic, due to its effectiveness in managing diabetes and shedding weight. Nevertheless, you must also study Ozempic uncomfortable side effects together with its advantages in case you want to use the drugs.
Associated FAQs
Are you able to simply cease taking Ozempic for weight reduction?
Sure, you may cease taking Ozempic at any time, particularly whether it is used off-label for weight reduction. Nevertheless, it’s strongly suggested to seek the advice of a healthcare supplier earlier than discontinuation.
Do you acquire weight again after stopping Ozempic?
Weight regain is a typical expertise after stopping Ozempic. That is particularly true if customers don’t keep dietary management and bodily exercise.
How lengthy are you able to keep on Ozempic?
For the therapy of kind 2 diabetes, Ozempic is accepted for long-term use. In terms of weight reduction, the size of use ought to be decided by a healthcare supplier primarily based on the affected person’s well being standing, weight reduction objectives, and tolerance to the remedy.
What are the options to Ozempic?
Wegovy is basically a higher-dose model of semaglutide, particularly accepted for continual weight administration in people with weight problems or chubby with a minimum of one weight-related situation. Mounjaro comprises tirzepatide, a twin GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist accepted for kind 2 diabetes and reveals robust results in selling weight reduction.