This page has been reviewed by
Dr. Nicolette Lammers.
Possible side effects of Ozempic
Serious side effects
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Complications of diabetic eye disease (retinopathy): talk to your doctor if you develop eye problems such as vision changes while using this medicine.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- Inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis), which can cause persistent, severe pain in the abdomen and back. Seek medical attention immediately if you notice these symptoms.
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic reactions, angioedema). Seek medical help immediately and inform your doctor right away if you develop symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat with difficulty swallowing, and a rapid heartbeat.
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
- Intestinal obstruction. A severe form of constipation with additional symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, etc.
Other side effects
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- Nausea: this usually decreases over time
- Diarrhea: this usually decreases over time
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when using this medicine together with a medicine that contains a sulfonylurea or insulin.
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Vomiting
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when using this medicine together with oral diabetes medicines other than a sulfonylurea or insulin.
- Indigestion
- Inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis): signs include stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Heartburn, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Stomach pain
- Bloated abdomen
- Constipation
- Belching
- Gallstones
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite
- Gas (flatulence)
- Increases in pancreatic enzymes (such as lipase and amylase)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- Changes in taste
- Rapid pulse
- Injection-site reactions such as bruising, pain, skin irritation, itching, and rash
- Allergic reactions such as rash, itching, or hives
- Delayed gastric emptying.
Reporting side effects
If you notice any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), Pharmacovigilance Division, Kurt-Georg-Kiesinger-Allee 3, D-53175 Bonn, website: www.bfarm.de. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. Date and source of this side effects section: Patient information leaflet (information for patients), Ozempic solution for injection in a pre-filled pen (semaglutide). Version: September 2024. Last revised: 09/2024.Here you will find common questions about Ozempic side effects, use, and warning signs. The answers are based on the patient information leaflet. If symptoms are severe, persist, or worsen, seek medical advice.
Which side effects are very common with Ozempic?
Very common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when Ozempic is used together with a medicine that contains a sulfonylurea or insulin.
Which side effects are common with Ozempic?
Common side effects include vomiting, indigestion, inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), heartburn (GERD), stomach pain, constipation, belching, gallstones, dizziness, tiredness, weight loss, decreased appetite, gas (flatulence), increases in pancreatic enzymes, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when used together with oral diabetes medicines other than a sulfonylurea or insulin.
Which side effects are uncommon with Ozempic?
Uncommon side effects include changes in taste, rapid pulse, injection-site reactions, allergic reactions such as rash, itching, or hives, and delayed gastric emptying.
Are there side effects with unknown frequency?
Yes. Intestinal obstruction is listed as a side effect with frequency not known.
Which symptoms may indicate acute pancreatitis?
Warning signs include persistent, severe pain in the abdomen and back. If you notice these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Which symptoms may indicate a severe allergic reaction?
Examples include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat with difficulty swallowing, and a rapid heartbeat. In this case, you must seek medical help immediately and inform your doctor right away.
When should I contact my doctor about eye problems?
For complications of diabetic eye disease (retinopathy), it is recommended to talk to your doctor if you develop eye problems such as vision changes during treatment.
Which warning signs of low blood sugar are listed in the package leaflet?
The warning signs may occur suddenly. They include cold sweat, cool pale skin, headache, rapid heartbeat, nausea or intense hunger, vision changes, tiredness or weakness, nervousness, anxiety or confusion, difficulty concentrating, and shaking (tremor).
When is the risk of low blood sugar higher?
Low blood sugar is more likely to occur if you also take a sulfonylurea or use insulin. Your doctor may reduce the dose of these medicines before starting treatment with Ozempic.
What is important if nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea occur?
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea can lead to dehydration (fluid loss). It is important to drink plenty of fluids to help prevent dehydration. This is especially important if you have kidney problems. Talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns.
Can I drive or operate machines?
Ozempic is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use machines. If Ozempic is used in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur and may impair concentration. Do not drive or operate machines if you notice signs of low blood sugar.
What should I do if I miss an injection?
If it has been no more than 5 days since the missed dose, use Ozempic as soon as you remember and then inject the next dose as usual on your scheduled day of the week. If it has been more than 5 days since the missed dose, skip the missed dose and inject the next dose as usual on your scheduled day of the week. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
How can I report side effects?
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. Side effects can also be reported directly to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), Pharmacovigilance Division. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Sources
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Ozempic: EPAR overview page. Page.
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Ozempic (INN: semaglutide): EPAR product information (SmPC and package leaflet, DE, PDF). Document.
- PatientenInfo-Service. Ozempic 0.5 mg solution for injection in a pre-filled pen: patient information leaflet (information for patients). Page.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Ozempic (semaglutide) injection: prescribing information (label, PDF). Document.