General Information
Manufacturer: Merck
Medical Name: Ozempic (Semaglutide)
Purpose: Ozempic is used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes.
Possible Side Effects
| Side Effect | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| Nausea | 16-20% |
| Diarrhea | 8% |
| Vomiting | 5-9% |
| Abdominal (stomach) pain | 6-7% |
| Fatigue/Tiredness | 6% |
| Constipation | 3-5% |
| Headache | <3% |
| Indigestion/Heartburn | 2% |
| Injection site reactions | <1% |
Serious but Less Common Side Effects
| Side-Effect | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) | Risk is higher (~10-30%) if used with insulin or sulfonylureas, but low (~1.6-3.8%) if used as a standalone treatment. |
| Gallbladder disease (e.g., gallstones) | Occurs in about 0.4% to 1.5% of patients. |
| Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) | Rare, risk is generally less than 1% per year of use. |
| Diabetic retinopathy complications | Occurred in 3% of Ozempic users vs 1.8% of placebo users in one 2-year trial, especially in those with pre-existing history. |
| Acute kidney injury | Rare postmarketing reports, often linked to severe dehydration from vomiting/diarrhea. |
| Thyroid C-cell tumors | Observed in animal studies; human risk is unclear, but a boxed warning is included. Avoid if you have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer. |
| Severe allergic reactions | Rare, includes anaphylaxis and angioedema (swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat). |
| Bowel obstruction (ileus) | Rare postmarketing reports. |
Preconditions and Warnings
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). It is also contraindicated for patients with type 1 diabetes, those who are pregnant or nursing, and those with a known allergic reaction to semaglutide or its ingredients. Individuals with severe gastrointestinal conditions, such as a history of acute pancreatitis, or those with a history of acute kidney injury may also need to avoid Ozempic.
- Thyroid cancer: A history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or the endocrine syndrome Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) is a contraindication.
- Type 1 diabetes: Ozempic is not for individuals with type 1 diabetes; insulin is needed for their condition.
- Allergic reaction: An allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of Ozempic's other ingredients means the drug should not be used.
- Kidney issues: Patients with a history of acute kidney injury, especially if it was related to gastrointestinal issues like severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, should be cautious and discuss with their doctor.
- Pregnancy: Ozempic is not recommended during pregnancy, as there is limited safety data and animal studies have shown potential risks to a fetus.
- Nursing: The safety of Ozempic while nursing is not well-studied, and the manufacturer of one of its oral forms, Rybelsus, advises against it.
- Alcohol: While there is no direct interaction, combining alcohol with Ozempic can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and dizziness.
- Other medications: You may need to use caution and close monitoring with other diabetes medications like insulin or insulin-releasing drugs, as well as certain supplements that impact blood glucose. It is crucial to inform your doctor about all medications and supplements you are taking, as Ozempic can also affect the absorption of other oral medications.