As with other drugs, Ozempic (semaglutide) can cause side effects, such as nausea and dizziness. If you are not able to tolerate side effects of Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Ozempic belongs to a drug class called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 agonists). The drug is not available in a generic version.

Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects of Ozempic.

Ozempic can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Ozempic in clinical trials:

To learn more about some of these side effects, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Boxed warning: Thyroid cancer

Ozempic has a boxed warning for thyroid cancer. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

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Mild side effects can occur while receiving Ozempic. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Ozempic’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Ozempic include:

  • gas and burping
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain
  • constipation
  • fatigue
  • changes in your sense of taste

To learn more about some of these side effects, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while using Ozempic and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Ozempic may cause serious side effects, but they aren’t common. The list that follows may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Ozempic’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while receiving Ozempic, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

* This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Ozempic. However, it was reported postmarketing (after the drug became available to the public). This side effect was also reported postmarketing for some medications in the same drug class as Ozempic.
† Ozempic has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Ozempic can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies, but there have been reports since Ozempic was approved for use.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

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 whether 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 taking a different medication instead.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Ozempic may cause.

Weight loss and Ozempic face

Ozempic can make you feel less hungry. This means some people could lose weight during treatment with this drug.

Sometimes, the rapid weight loss caused by Ozempic can lead to effects commonly known as “Ozempic face.” These effects include:

  • increased signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles
  • loose or sagging skin around the jaw, neck, and chin
  • sunken eyes or cheeks

There were no reports of Ozempic face in clinical trials of the drug. However, there have been anecdotal reports of this side effect since the drug was approved for use.

Ozempic face may be influenced by multiple factors, including how much weight you lose and how quickly you lose it. This effect may be more apparent if you have a higher amount of buccal fat before you start using Ozempic.

Some side effects of Ozempic can also lead to dehydration. Dehydrated skin can cause many of the same effects as Ozempic face, including wrinkled skin and a sunken appearance.

It’s important to note that Ozempic is not FDA approved for weight loss. However, doctors may prescribe this medication off-label for weight management. (Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)

What you can do

If you have concerns about Ozempic face or weight loss, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to help you maintain a healthy weight during treatment with this drug.

Your doctor can also recommend ways to hydrate your skin and increase its elasticity. Drinking more water than usual may help, especially if you’re experiencing diarrhea or vomiting.

Gas and burping

People receiving Ozempic in clinical trials reported gas and burping. However, these side effects weren’t common.

Gas occurred more often in people receiving a 1-milligram (mg) dose of Ozempic than in people receiving a 0.5-mg dose. Burping was more common in people receiving a 0.5-mg dose of Ozempic than in people receiving a 1-mg dose.

Gas and burping are caused by tiny amounts of air that gather in your digestive system. Usually, air builds up as you digest food. Your body eventually has to release the air, and passing gas or burping are ways to eliminate it. Ozempic may cause these side effects because the drug slows down the rate at which your stomach digests food.

What you can do

If you experience gas or burping, it’ll most likely be mild. The side effect may go away with time as you continue receiving Ozempic.

However, if you have gas or burping that bothers you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend an over-the-counter medication, such as Gas-X (simethicone), to treat these side effects. They may also recommend tips such as eating slowly or avoiding foods that cause gas.

If you experience gas or burping that won’t go away or affects your daily life, your doctor may recommend a drug other than Ozempic for your condition.

Dizziness

Dizziness can occur during Ozempic treatment. This side effect was very rare in people receiving the drug in clinical trials.

Dizziness can also be a symptom of hypoglycemia. If Ozempic is used with certain other diabetes drugs, such as insulin, it can cause low blood sugar as a side effect.

What you can do

If you experience dizziness while receiving Ozempic, check your blood sugar to see whether it’s low. Your doctor can provide you with instructions on how to raise your blood sugar. You can also see this hypoglycemia and type 2 diabetes article for information on how to treat low blood sugar.

If you have dizziness that is unrelated to low blood sugar while receiving Ozempic, talk with your doctor. They may suggest trying a different medication to treat your condition.

Digestive side effects: Nausea, diarrhea, and constipation

It’s possible to experience digestive side effects when receiving Ozempic. Nausea, diarrhea, and constipation were some of the most commonly reported side effects in Ozempic’s clinical trials. For most people, these effects were mild and temporary.

Nausea and diarrhea with Ozempic were most frequently reported at the start of treatment or after a dosage increase. For most people, these side effects go away within a few days or weeks.

Constipation may occur at any point during treatment because Ozempic works by slowing your digestion. However, constipation caused by Ozempic is eventually expected to lessen or go away.

What you can do

If you have digestive side effects from Ozempic that persist or affect your everyday life, talk with your doctor. They may suggest:

  • trying a home remedy for diarrhea or constipation
  • avoiding certain foods that may worsen digestive problems
  • trying a different medication to manage your blood sugar instead of Ozempic

Thyroid cancer

Ozempic has a boxed warning for thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Animal studies showed that Ozempic increases the risk of thyroid tumors in animals. (A tumor is a mass of cancerous tissue.) However, animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans. It is unknown whether Ozempic causes thyroid tumors in humans.

What you can do

You should not receive Ozempic if you or an immediate family member has or has had:

During Ozempic treatment, talk with your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of a thyroid tumor. These can include a lump or mass in your neck, a hoarse voice, difficulty breathing, and difficulty swallowing.

Most people who develop side effects from receiving Ozempic have only mild, short-term symptoms. Side effects of Ozempic should go away on their own after a few days or weeks.

Rarely, Ozempic can cause some side effects that may not go away. However, these are usually manageable. They include:

  • thyroid cancer
  • diabetic retinopathy

Before you start treatment with Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about potential side effects of the drug and how long they may last.

Ozempic may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Is hair loss a side effect of Ozempic?

No. There were no reports of hair loss as a side effect by people receiving Ozempic in clinical trials.

However, hair loss and hair thinning may occur in people who have diabetes and consistently high blood sugar levels.

If you have questions about hair loss, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Ozempic cause a headache?

Headache on its own wasn’t reported as a side effect by people receiving Ozempic in clinical trials.

However, headache can be a symptom of hypoglycemia. Ozempic can cause hypoglycemia in people who use the drug with certain other diabetes medications, including insulin.

If you experience headache while receiving Ozempic, check your blood sugar to see whether it’s low. Your doctor can provide you with instructions on how to raise your blood sugar. You can also see this hypoglycemia and type 2 diabetes article for information on how to treat low blood sugar.

If you have additional questions about headache and Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Here are precautions to keep in mind before you start treatment with Ozempic.

Boxed warning: Thyroid cancer

Ozempic has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. This is a serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Other precautions

Before using Ozempic, discuss your health history with your doctor. Ozempic may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • pancreas problems, including pancreatitis
  • diabetic retinopathy
  • a history of gastroparesis (slow digestion, which may be a complication of diabetes)
  • previous kidney damage related to dehydration
  • gallbladder problems, such as gallstones or inflammation
  • a planned medical procedure that requires general anesthesia or sedation
  • pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • previous allergic reaction to Ozempic or any of its ingredients

If you experience side effects with Ozempic, they’ll usually be mild. Most mild side effects will go away in a few days or weeks and won’t require medical attention.

However, you should talk with your doctor if you experience serious side effects. They could require medical attention.

Keep in mind that you should also talk with your doctor if you become pregnant during Ozempic treatment.

For more information on Ozempic’s mild and serious side effects and pregnancy during treatment, see the related sections earlier in the article.

If you’d like to learn more about Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can answer any questions you have about the drug’s side effects.

Other resources

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information on Ozempic: See this Ozempic overview article for more details on other aspects of Ozempic.
  • Cost: Read this article to learn more about Ozempic and cost.
  • Drug comparison: To learn how Ozempic compares with other drugs, read the comparison articles on these medications: Mounjaro, Rybelsus, Trulicity, and Victoza.
  • Dosage details: See this Ozempic dosage article for more information on typical dosing and administration for this medication.
  • Interactions: Learn more in this Ozempic interactions article.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.