Key takeaways

  • Ozempic can cause common side effects such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
  • Serious side effects of Ozempic may include diabetic retinopathy, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, and an increased risk of thyroid cancer.
  • Although most side effects of Ozempic are generally short term, certain side effects may last long term. Examples include gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, and thyroid cancer.

Ozempic (semaglutide) is used to:

This article explains the possible side effects of Ozempic and what to do if you experience them.

The most commonly reported side effects of Ozempic include:

  • Abdominal pain: If pain is severe and persistent, a doctor may suspect acute pancreatitis and recommend stopping Ozempic.
  • Constipation: In some cases, this can lead to more severe intestinal blockages or fecal impaction.
  • Diarrhea: This is more common when you’re increasing your dose.
  • Nausea or vomiting: This is also more common during dose increases and is likely related to slowed stomach emptying.

Less common side effects include:

  • Changes in the way things taste: Foods may taste metallic, bitter, sour, or overly salty.
  • Burping or flatulence (gas): As Ozempic slows gastric emptying, food ferments in the stomach for longer, which can cause gas.
  • Dizziness: This may be a sign of low blood sugar or dehydration.
  • Headache: This was reported after the drug was launched and is a common symptom of low blood pressure.
  • Fatigue (low energy): This may be due to low blood sugar or reduced calorie intake, as Ozempic suppresses your appetite.
  • Indigestion or acid reflux: This may feel like burning in the throat, chest, or upper abdomen.
  • Injection site reactions: The skin around the injection site may become warm to the touch, discolored, or swollen.
  • Minor increase in heart rate: Your heart rate may increase by 2 to 3 beats per minute, which is not harmful.

In most cases, these side effects are temporary and easy to manage. If you have ongoing symptoms or symptoms that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop using Ozempic unless your doctor recommends it.

Experiencing side effects? After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking this drug and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Serious side effects from Ozempic are rare. If you feel unwell or experience side effects that seem serious, contact a doctor right away.

The serious side effects of Ozempic include:

  • Risk of thyroid tumors, including cancer: Ozempic has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid tumors. In animal studies, semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) caused thyroid tumors, but it is unknown if it causes them in humans, including a type of cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Symptoms to watch for include a lump or swelling in the neck, trouble swallowing, hoarseness, or shortness of breath.
  • Inflammation of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis): This can cause severe, persistent pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that may radiate to your back, and may or may not occur with vomiting.
  • Changes in vision: Ozempic can lead to complications of diabetic retinopathy. Tell your healthcare professional if you experience any vision changes during treatment.
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): The risk of severe hypoglycemia increases if you take Ozempic with a drug that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs can include dizziness, blurred vision, sweating, confusion, shakiness, weakness, and a fast heartbeat.
  • Kidney injury: Ozempic can cause severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, leading to fluid loss. This dehydration can cause kidney problems, sometimes requiring hemodialysis.
  • Severe stomach problems: Gastrointestinal reactions to Ozempic can sometimes be severe. It is not suitable for people with severe gastroparesis (slowed stomach emptying).
  • Serious allergic reactions: Severe hypersensitivity reactions such as anaphylaxis and angioedema can occur. Symptoms may include swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash, fainting, or a very rapid heartbeat.
  • Gallbladder problems: Ozempic can cause acute gallbladder disease, including gallstones or gallbladder inflammation. Symptoms include upper abdominal pain, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools.
  • Pulmonary aspiration: Because Ozempic delays gastric emptying, there is a risk of gastric contents entering the lungs during elective surgeries or procedures that require general anesthesia or deep sedation.

In general, the side effects of Ozempic are similar in females and males. But some research suggests that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, such as Ozempic, may cause side effects more often in females than males.

The mild side effects of Ozempic are typically temporary or manageable while you’re using the drug.

However, after stopping Ozempic, it could take your body about 5 weeks after your last dose to fully clear the drug from your system. Side effects are possible during this period.

You could experience some serious side effects, such as worsening diabetic retinopathy, even after Ozempic has been fully cleared from your system.

If you have questions or concerns about how long side effects could last, talk with your doctor.

Yes, Ozempic can cause weight loss in some people. This drug is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss, but, in studies, some people using Ozempic lost weight. In these studies, Ozempic was used alone or in combination with other treatments for type 2 diabetes.




If you get pregnant while using Ozempic, your doctor will likely recommend stopping it.

It’s unknown whether using Ozempic during pregnancy or while breastfeeding is safe. In animal studies, semaglutide use during pregnancy caused fetal death, structural abnormalities, growth alterations, and early pregnancy losses. Doctors typically recommend stopping Ozempic at least 2 months before trying to get pregnant.

No, it’s unlikely. Hair loss wasn’t seen in studies of Ozempic. However, there may be links between hair loss and type 2 diabetes.

Also, many people with diabetes take medications to treat other chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). In rare cases, certain drugs used to treat CVD, such as statins or angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, may cause hair loss.

Ozempic can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Ozempic is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your medical history before starting Ozempic. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Medical Perspective

Can switching GLP-1 medications help with negative side effects?

“It is possible that switching GLP-1 medications can help reduce negative side effects as your body may tolerate one GLP-1 better than another. Consult your doctor on which GLP-1 may be best for you.”

— Philip Ngo, PharmD

Learn about the differences between Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound.

Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Ozempic can cause various side effects. The most common include gastrointestinal issues such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea. Typically, these resolve once your body gets used to the medication, but talk with your doctor if they don’t improve or seem serious.

Serious side effects include an increased risk of thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, and low blood sugar. Your doctor will discuss your risk of experiencing these.

If you feel unwell or develop side effects that seem serious or interrupt daily life, talk with your doctor. They may recommend adjusting your dose, treating the side effect, or trying an alternative medication.

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.