Questions about Ozempic and interactions
Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about Ozempic and possible interactions.
Can I take ibuprofen with Ozempic? Are there interactions between Ozempic and NSAIDs?
Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) aren’t known to interact with Ozempic. These medications should be safe to take together if your doctor agrees it’s safe for you.
Still, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs have many interactions with other medications and health conditions. Although they don’t interact with Ozempic, they may interact with other health conditions you have or medications you take.
Because of this, you shouldn’t take ibuprofen or another NSAID without first talking with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help determine whether they’re safe for you to take.
Are there interactions between Ozempic and antidepressants?
No, it’s not believed so. There isn’t a known interaction between Ozempic and antidepressant drugs, such as sertraline (Zoloft). Antidepressants are used to treat certain mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. These medications should be safe to take together if your doctor agrees it’s safe for you.
But Ozempic may affect how your body absorbs oral medications, including antidepressants. It’s not known whether this has any effect on how well antidepressants work.
But it’s possible that Ozempic could cause an oral antidepressant to not work as well. This interaction can happen even if you’ve taken the antidepressant for a long time and it’s worked well for you.
Because of this, your doctor may closely monitor you if you take an antidepressant and Ozempic. This helps your doctor determine whether the antidepressant is still effective for your condition.
Your doctor or pharmacist can answer questions you may have about whether Ozempic can affect how well your antidepressant works.
Can I take Ozempic with antibiotics?
There isn’t a known interaction between Ozempic and antibiotic drugs, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro). These medications should be safe to take together if your doctor agrees it’s safe for you. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections.
That said, it’s possible for Ozempic to affect how your body absorbs any medication you swallow. This includes oral antibiotics.
For this reason, your doctor may closely monitor you if you’re taking an antibiotic while using Ozempic. This is to make sure the antibiotic is working as intended.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about taking an antibiotic while using Ozempic.
Can I take Tylenol with Ozempic?
There isn’t a known interaction between Ozempic and Tylenol (acetaminophen). These medications should be safe to take together if your doctor agrees it’s safe for you. Tylenol is used to treat mild to moderate pain due to certain conditions.
But Ozempic may affect how your body absorbs any oral medications you take. It’s not known whether this has any effect on how well Tylenol works. But it’s possible that Tylenol may not work as well if you’re also taking Ozempic.
Also, there are other medications and health conditions that can interact with Tylenol. This can affect whether or not Tylenol is safe for you to take.
To learn more about taking Tylenol with Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can answer any questions you have about whether Tylenol is safe for you.
Can I take Imodium with Ozempic?
There isn’t a known interaction between Ozempic and Imodium (loperamide). These medications should be safe to take together if your doctor agrees it’s safe for you. Imodium is used to treat sudden diarrhea.
But Ozempic can affect the absorption of any medication you swallow, including Imodium. This means it’s possible for Ozempic to affect how well Imodium works.
Diarrhea is a common side effect of taking Ozempic, especially when you first start taking it. If you experience diarrhea while taking Ozempic, let your doctor know.
They can help determine whether Imodium may help relieve your symptoms or whether another treatment for diarrhea may be better instead.
Is there an interaction between Ozempic and Adderall?
There isn’t a known interaction between Ozempic and Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine). These medications should be safe to take together if your doctor agrees it’s safe for you. Adderall is commonly used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
But Ozempic may affect how your body absorbs any oral medications you take, including Adderall. So it’s possible that Ozempic could cause Adderall to not work as usual.
If you’re taking Ozempic and Adderall, your doctor may closely monitor you for any signs that Adderall isn’t working as expected. They can also discuss treatment options if this interaction is affecting you.
When to avoid Ozempic
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with Ozempic. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe Ozempic in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for Ozempic:
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC): Taking Ozempic may worsen MTC (a type of thyroid cancer).*
- Personal history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2): If you have MEN2, taking Ozempic may increase your risk of thyroid cancer further. MEN2 is a kind of genetic endocrine condition that can lead to thyroid cancer.*
- Past allergic reaction to Ozempic: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Ozempic or its ingredients, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction. This may include Wegovy and Rybelsus, which contain semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic. An active ingredient is what makes medication work.
Before you start taking Ozempic, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take Ozempic.
* Ozempic has a boxed warning for thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Boxed warning for Ozempic” section below.
Alcohol and Ozempic
Ozempic isn’t known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while using Ozempic.
Other interactions and Ozempic
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether Ozempic has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with Ozempic.
Ozempic and supplements
Before taking Ozempic, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Ozempic interactions with herbs
Ozempic may interact with herbs that can lower blood sugar, such as garlic.
Taking Ozempic and any of these supplements may lead to low blood sugar as a side effect.
This interaction does not apply to garlic used in foods or cooking. It only applies to garlic supplements.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while using Ozempic.
Ozempic interactions with vitamins and minerals
Ozempic may interact with chromium. This mineral is often used for sports nutrition and managing blood sugar.
Taking Ozempic and chromium may lead to low blood sugar as a side effect.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while using Ozempic.
Ozempic and food
Green tea and Ozempic may interact. This applies to both green tea supplements and green tea beverages.
Consuming green tea, especially in large quantities, and taking Ozempic may lead to low blood sugar as a side effect.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while using Ozempic.
Ozempic and vaccines
Ozempic isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while using Ozempic.
Ozempic and lab tests
Ozempic isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while using Ozempic.
Ozempic and cannabis or CBD
Ozempic isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with Ozempic.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and Ozempic
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with Ozempic. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before using Ozempic, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether Ozempic is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with Ozempic:
* Ozempic has a boxed warning for thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Boxed warning for Ozempic” section below.
Preventing Ozempic interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with Ozempic. Before using this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
Taking Ozempic exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about Ozempic and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Does Ozempic have the same interactions as Rybelsus?
- How do interactions of Ozempic compare with metformin?
- Do I need to take my medications at different times throughout the day to avoid interactions?
- Should I tell you if I start taking another medication or supplement during my Ozempic treatment?
Boxed warning for Ozempic
Ozempic has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
In animal studies, Ozempic and drugs similar to it raised the risk of certain thyroid cancers in animals. It’s not known if this risk applies to people taking Ozempic. Animal studies don’t always predict what effects a drug will have on humans.
Because of this risk, doctors won’t prescribe Ozempic if you or a close family member ever had a type of thyroid cancer called MTC. Doctors also won’t prescribe Ozempic or drugs like it if you have an endocrine condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.
During treatment, your doctor will monitor you closely for symptoms of thyroid cancer. Let your doctor know if you notice symptoms, such as hoarse voice or difficulty swallowing.
To learn more, talk with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
