For many users of medications like Wegovy and Ozempic, the benefits appear to outweigh the risks. Semaglutide injections can help control blood sugar levels for many adults with Type 2 diabetes. It may also aid with weight loss and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood vessel disease.
However, some consumers have well-founded concerns about the potential side effects of semaglutide. The medication can carry a serious risk of long-term complications, including thyroid cancer and certain kinds of tumors. Understanding the side effects of semaglutide and how to spot them can help users and medical practitioners understand when and how it can be safely prescribed.
What Medications Contain Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in several injectable and oral medications designed for adults and some children aged 12 and over. Semaglutide medications can help with weight-related medical problems, improve glucose (blood sugar), and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in those who have heart disease.
Semaglutide is currently only available with FDA approval from Novo Nordisk, with no generic equivalents or alternatives on the market. Drugs with semaglutide include:
- Wegovy for Chronic Weight Management: Wegovy is available by prescription for adults and children aged 12 and up. Using this medication in tandem with the appropriate diet and physical regimen can improve weight loss.
- Ozempic for Type 2 Diabetes: Ozempic is approved for adults with Type 2 diabetes, and can help users manage their glucose levels and reduce their risk of experiencing cardiac events. When used with diet and exercise it can also aid in weight loss.
- Rybelsus for Type 2 Diabetes: Rybelsus is the only non-injectable semaglutide medication currently available. It is an oral tablet designed to manage glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes.
How Is Semaglutide Administered?
Semaglutide is usually administered once a week by injection. It can be injected into the upper arm, thigh, or stomach. Health professionals advise against giving injections next to each other and allowing the pen to reach room temperature before usage.
Is Semaglutide Safe?
There are several serious risks of semaglutide, including thyroid tumors, cancer, pancreatitis, kidney and gallbladder problems, low blood sugar, vision changes, mental changes, and allergic reactions. Warning signs of thyroid-related issues include a lump or swelling in your neck, shortness of breath, hoarseness, and trouble swallowing. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, swelling of the face, faintness, rashes, rapid heartbeat, or fever may also be indicative of serious issues related to semaglutide usage.
Who Can Take Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is most often prescribed for people with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It can also be prescribed for some people with insulin resistance, although it is not insulin and cannot be used in place of insulin injections. Semaglutide prescriptions are also available for those with a BMI of 30 or over, or those with a BMI of at least 27 and an additional weight-related health concern like elevated blood pressure.
Who Should Not Take Semaglutide?
Several categories of people should not take semaglutide because of a heightened risk of dangerous side effects. If you or any of your family members have ever been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, especially medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), you should not take semaglutide. If you have an endocrine system condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) you should also avoid semaglutide.
You should consult with a doctor before taking semaglutide, as there may be additional risks that are still being understood. Semaglutide can harm an unborn baby, and those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the near future should not take semaglutide. It is also not known if semaglutide passes into breast milk.
People who have a history of pancreatic, gallbladder, or kidney problems as well as those who have experienced depression or other mental health issues should also speak with their doctor.
How Long Can You Take Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a long-term medication. It may take a month or more to begin working, and depending on your specific treatment plan, you may stay on semaglutide for a year or longer.
Common Side Effects of Semaglutide
Not every person who uses semaglutide will experience side effects, but common ones may include:
- Gastrointestinal Issues: Gastrointestinal discomfort is the most commonly reported side effect of semaglutide. This can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, heartburn, burping, and excess gas.
- Fatigue: Fatigue is another common side effect, most frequently reported among those taking Wegovy and some of those taking Ozempic.
- Facial Changes: Some users of Ozempic have reported changes to their facial skin, including sagging and wrinkling, which is caused by reduced facial fat.
While these effects do not always indicate serious issues, you should inform your doctor, who can offer you advice on treating them.
When Do Side Effects of Semaglutide Start?
Side effects of semaglutide do not always occur immediately after the first injection. They may be felt within the first few weeks of beginning the medication.
Semaglutide Side Effects: How Long Does Semaglutide Last?
Common side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal issues may subside within several weeks. More serious long-term side effects of semaglutide may include thyroid cancer, gallbladder issues, and kidney failure. These might not be discovered until several months after you have begun or stopped taking semaglutide.
How Long Does Ozempic Stay in Your System?
Ozempic remains in your system for approximately 1-2 months after you stop injections. For this reason, women who are planning to become pregnant should stop Ozempic and semaglutide well before conception.
How to Deal with the Side Effects of Semaglutide
Most minor side effects of semaglutide go away within around four weeks after an adjustment to medication levels. Changing your diet can also help reduce some gastrointestinal side effects. Consider avoiding fried foods, spicy foods, milk, caffeine, and alcohol.
Your doctor may also be able to prescribe additional medications like simethicone for bloating relief, or an antacid.
Not every side effect can be safely ignored, however, and some of them may indicate a serious problem or medical energy. See a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- Depression
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Rapid heartbeat
- Changes to your vision
- Drowsiness or slurred speech
- Decreased urination
- Swelling of legs or feet
- Severe stomach pain
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Rash or itching
- Shakiness or sweating
Semaglutide Side Effects: When Do I Need to Contact a Lawyer?
Mounting research on the serious side effects of semaglutide has led to an increase in semaglutide lawsuits. If semaglutide has affected your health, causing you to experience stomach paralysis, intestinal blockages, or other issues, you may want to consult a semaglutide lawyer.
A lawyer can help you explore the possibility of filing a claim to cover your medical bills and other losses. They can explore the specifics of your case and assist you in identifying the responsible party or parties. This may include a negligent doctor who failed to properly examine your medical history, a hospital with faulty software that did not account for dangerous drug interactions or a pharmaceutical manufacturer that did not provide you with warnings about the medication’s risks.
Semaglutide Side Effects: FAQ
Some commonly asked questions about semaglutide include:
Can Semaglutide Cause Cancer?
Thyroid cancer is a possible risk of semaglutide injections. While it has not yet been confirmed in human studies, semaglutide has been proven to cause thyroid tumors and cancers in rodents. Speak to your doctor if you or your family has a history of MTC, MEN 2, or cancer before you take semaglutide.
What Is the Most Common Side Effect of Ozempic?
Gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea, diarrhea, bloating, gas, burping, and abdominal pain, is the most common side effect of Ozempic. Vomiting and constipation are also common, but less so than other gastrointestinal disorders.
Does Ozempic Cause Bone Pain?
At the moment there is no evidence that Ozempic is linked to bone pain, even though some users report muscular aches and painful joints while taking the drug.
Does Semaglutide Cause Headaches?
Users of semaglutide may experience headaches, though they are typically caused by other side effects of the medication, such as low blood sugar or dehydration due to diarrhea.
Why Does Semaglutide Cause Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is one of the most common side effects of semaglutide, though health professionals do not yet understand why. Some research indicates that the medication affects how food passes through your system and how nutrients are absorbed during digestion. Bowel motility is slowed while taking semaglutide, leading some to believe that it can lead to gastrocolic reflex, which causes diarrhea.
What Happens if You Take Too Much Ozempic?
Taking too much Ozempic can amplify its side effects, leading to increased nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and more. Consult your doctor for a personalized treatment plan that manages your dosage to prevent or reduce side effects. Consider speaking with a semaglutide attorney if you believe you have been harmed as a result of your prescription.
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