Ozempic is a brand-name medication that comes as an injection that’s given under the skin. It isn’t available in a generic version.
This article describes possible side effects of Ozempic. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Ozempic.
You can explore this overview article to learn more about Ozempic, including the drug’s uses, dosage, ways to save on cost, and more.
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer
Ozempic has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Side effects of Ozempic in detail” section below.
More common side effects of Ozempic
Ozempic may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of Ozempic include:
- diarrhea
- constipation, mild nausea, or vomiting*
- belly pain*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Ozempic in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of Ozempic
Ozempic may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of Ozempic that occurred in studies include:
* For details about this side effect, see “Is fatigue a side effect of Ozempic?” in the “Common questions about side effects of Ozempic” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Ozempic in detail” section below.
Ozempic may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of Ozempic
Ozempic may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Ozempic, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911, or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Ozempic.
Serious side effects of Ozempic that occurred in studies include:
* Ozempic has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects of Ozempic in detail” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Ozempic in detail” section below.
Ozempic and weight loss
Ozempic is not approved for weight management. However, doctors may prescribe the drug for off-label use. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
Some people with diabetes may lose weight when using Ozempic to help manage their blood sugar or lower their risk of serious heart problems. One way Ozempic works is by increasing the time it takes for your stomach to empty its contents. As a result, you may feel full for longer than usual after eating. For some people, this may lead to eating less frequently and losing weight.
Another medication called Wegovy is approved for long-term weight management in certain adults when combined with diet and exercise. Wegovy contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as Ozempic. So the drug will likely have similar side effects as Ozempic.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about using Ozempic or other drugs for weight loss.
Common questions about side effects of Ozempic
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Ozempic. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can Ozempic cause headaches?
Ozempic isn’t likely to cause headaches. In studies of Ozempic, headache wasn’t a reported side effect.
However, headaches can result from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which is a side effect of Ozempic. Certain other drugs for diabetes, such as insulin, can increase your risk of hypoglycemia if they’re taken along with Ozempic.
Talk with your doctor if you experience headaches while using Ozempic. And before you start your treatment, be sure to discuss any other medications you take.
Is fatigue a side effect of Ozempic?
Yes, fatigue (low energy) is a side effect of Ozempic. However, this was a rare side effect in studies of Ozempic.
With fatigue, you may have very low energy with an overwhelming feeling of tiredness. You may also need more motivation and help with thinking clearly.
Fatigue can also be a symptom of kidney problems, which is a serious side effect of Ozempic. For more information about symptoms of kidney problems, talk with your doctor. You can also view this article.
If you experience fatigue while using Ozempic, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause of your fatigue and offer suggestions to help relieve this side effect.
Does Ozempic cause long-term side effects?
Ozempic may cause long-term side effects in rare cases. Usually, Ozempic’s side effects are mild and short term.
However, serious side effects* such as thyroid cancer† and diabetic retinopathy (eye damage related to diabetes) can occur. And these side effects can affect your health long term. Your doctor can discuss your risk of developing these conditions during Ozempic treatment. If you develop these conditions while using the drug, your doctor can help you manage them.
If you have questions about long-term side effects of Ozempic, talk with your doctor.
* For more information about the serious side effects of Ozempic, see the “Serious side effects of Ozempic” section above.
† Ozempic has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects of Ozempic in detail” section below.
Coupon for Ozempic
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for Ozempic when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.
Side effects of Ozempic in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Ozempic.
Risk of thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer
Ozempic has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They alert doctors and patients about dangerous drug effects.
In studies, animals given Ozempic had a higher risk of developing thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer. It’s unknown whether this side effect can occur in humans. However, people taking certain medications in the same group of drugs as Ozempic have reported thyroid tumors and thyroid cancers. This was after the drugs became available for use.
Symptoms of thyroid tumors include:
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of a thyroid tumor while using Ozempic, tell your doctor right away.
Before starting Ozempic treatment, talk with your doctor about your risk of developing thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer. If you or your family have a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer) or neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), your doctor won’t likely prescribe Ozempic. (MEN 2 is a rare endocrine condition that can cause thyroid and parathyroid tumors.)
Constipation, nausea, or vomiting
Constipation may occur while using Ozempic. This was a common side effect in studies of the drug.
Symptoms of constipation can include:
- cramping, pain, or bloating in your belly
- lumpy or hard stools
- stools that are hard to pass
Nausea was the most commonly reported side effect in studies of Ozempic. It was usually mild and short term.
Another common side effect of Ozempic was vomiting. But it occurred less often than nausea.
Constipation, nausea, and vomiting occurred more often in people taking higher doses* of Ozempic. And nausea or vomiting occurred more often shortly after the dose of Ozempic was increased.
Ways to manage
Talk with your doctor if you experience constipation, nausea, or vomiting while using Ozempic. To relieve constipation, they may advise eating more foods containing fiber and drinking plenty of water. Avoiding processed foods or skipping meals may also help ease constipation.
To help relieve nausea and vomiting, your doctor may recommend avoiding greasy or sugary foods. They may recommend you to eat a bland diet or drink liquids such as water, peppermint tea, or ginger-containing beverages. These types of drinks may help ease nausea and help prevent dehydration.
* To learn about the dosages of Ozempic, see this article.
Belly pain
Belly pain was a commonly reported side effect in studies of Ozempic. This type of pain can feel like aches or cramps. It can be dull, sharp, or occur occasionally.
Ozempic can cause other digestive side effects, such as gas, burping, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. These side effects may affect your belly pain.
Belly pain can also be a symptom of pancreatitis (inflammation of your pancreas). This is a rare but serious side effect of Ozempic.* With pancreatitis, you may have severe belly pain that spreads to your back. You may also have vomiting.
Ways to manage
Talk with your doctor if you have mild belly pain symptoms. To relieve your discomfort, they may recommend that you:
- drink plenty of clear liquids or water
- take a warm bath
- use a heating pad on your belly area
If you develop symptoms of severe belly pain, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll determine whether you should stop using Ozempic.
* For more information about the serious side effects of Ozempic, see the “Serious side effects of Ozempic” section above.
Allergic reaction
For some people, Ozempic can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies. Allergic reaction was reported after Ozempic became available for use. It’s not known how often allergic reactions occurred.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Ozempic, your doctor may recommend you take a different medication.
Warnings for Ozempic
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before using Ozempic.
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer
Ozempic has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Side effects of Ozempic in detail” section above.
Other warnings
It may not be safe for you to use Ozempic if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Ozempic is a safe treatment option for you.
Before using Ozempic, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include those listed below.
Pancreatitis. If you’ve had pancreatitis, your doctor may recommend a different treatment. This is because Ozempic can increase your risk of this condition. Talk with your doctor if you have problems with your pancreas.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Ozempic or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe this medication. Ask them about other treatment options that may be better for you.
Kidney problems. Kidney problems, such as kidney failure, have been reported since Ozempic became available. But kidney problems weren’t seen in studies. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems. They may monitor you more closely while you’re using Ozempic.
Taking certain other drugs. Taking certain other diabetes medications along with Ozempic can increase your risk of hypoglycemia. Talk with your doctor about any other diabetes drugs you take. To help reduce your risk of hypoglycemia while using Ozempic, your doctor may adjust the dosages of the other medications you take.
Diabetic retinopathy. Ozempic may worsen diabetic retinopathy. If you have diabetic retinopathy, talk with your doctor to determine whether Ozempic is right for you. If they prescribe the drug, they may monitor you more closely during your treatment.
Ozempic and pregnancy
It’s unknown if it’s safe to use Ozempic during pregnancy. The drugmaker recommends stopping Ozempic 2 months before you plan to become pregnant. If you plan to become pregnant, first talk with your doctor before you stop using Ozempic.
Ozempic and breastfeeding
It’s not known if it’s safe to use Ozempic while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to feed your child while using Ozempic.
Ozempic and alcohol
The safety of drinking alcohol while using Ozempic is not known. Both Ozempic and alcohol lower blood sugar, which can increase your risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). So using both together can further increase your risk.
Also, consuming alcohol long term can cause pancreatitis (inflammation of your pancreas). Pancreatitis is a serious side effect of Ozempic. Consuming alcohol while using Ozempic can increase your risk of pancreatitis.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume while using Ozempic.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of Ozempic. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do the side effects of Ozempic and metformin compare?
- Will using Ozempic along with other medications increase my risk of low blood pressure and low blood sugar?
- Are side effects from an Ozempic dosage of 2 milligrams (mg) per injection different than 1-mg side effects?
- Does Ozempic cause any other eye side effects besides diabetic retinopathy?
- Will fatigue and tiredness go away the longer I use Ozempic?
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.
