Does Ozempic Cause Heart Problems?

While Ozempic (semaglutide) doesn’t cause heart problems per se, research has found a link between the use of Ozempic and some heart issues that could give patients a cause for concern. This new research had made some people interested in semaglutide medications cautious about taking GLP-1 drugs given the potential health risks. Yet Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and similar medications continue to be popular for managing type 2 diabetes and reducing excess weight in patients who are obese.

Below we’ll explore some of the heart health concerns that some Ozempic patients have experienced and explain why these issues happen. We’ll also delve into other medical issues linked to Ozempic use, including some severe complications that affect the gastrointestinal tract.

If you’ve taken a semaglutide or another GLP-1 drug and developed serious medical problems as a result, the Ozempic lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can help you take legal action. Contact our law firm to find out if you should pursue a legal claim for your Ozempic-related health problems.

 

What types of heart issues have Ozempic patients reported?

When discussing heart problems and Ozempic, there are two common kinds of issues that come up. These are as follows:

• Increased Heart Rate and Palpitations – Some patients taking Ozempic experience an increased heart rate while taking the semaglutide. This can cause arrhythmias and heart palpitations, which may be alarming if they happen often.
• Shrinking of Heart Muscles – Studies in mice have found that the use of Ozempic can cause the shrinking of heart muscles and heart mass. This change in heart mass occurred independent of the test subject’s weight loss.

Can heart palpitations seriously affect my health as an Ozempic patient?

Not necessarily, but they can be a cause of concern, especially if you experience frequent arrhythmias or numerous changes in your normal heart rate throughout the day.

Heart palpitations are often linked to dehydration and low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), both of which can occur while taking Ozempic as directed. It’s important that Ozempic patients stay properly hydrated throughout the day. Diabetes patients should similarly monitor their blood sugar levels carefully.

If you experience any concerning changes in your heart rate or frequent heart arrhythmias, be sure to contact your doctor and discuss your symptoms.

Will shrinking heart muscles from Ozempic severely impact my health?

As of now, that is unknown. Research on the long-term effects of Ozempic use and changes in heart mass/size is ongoing. That said, it’s important to discuss your concerns with your doctor and whether or not the potential benefits of taking GLP-1 drugs outweigh the potential negative side effects from prolonged use of the medication.

If you are currently on Ozempic and have noticed any issues with your heart rate or normal heart function, be sure to speak with your doctor as soon as you experience any concerning side effects. Exercising some caution about new medications on the market could help you avoid serious medical health issues.

Why does Ozempic cause heart irregularities in some patients?

Changes in weight and your body’s hormones can have numerous effects on your heart function, cardiovascular system, and other parts of your body. That’s why diligent monitoring of any changes in your heart rate, body weight, and other aspects of health is so crucial while taking any kind of new medication.

It is worth noting that through diabetes management and weight loss, Ozempic can potentially reduce the risk of heart problems, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues later in life. For some patients, the long-term health benefits associated with achieving a healthier body mass and regulating blood sugar are worth the potential issues associated with heart arrhythmia, loss of heart muscles, and a reduction in heart size. 

We’ll continue to monitor new studies and research as more Americans take these popular weight loss and diabetes drugs. Again, we encourage you to speak with your doctor if you experience any heart issues that are a cause of concern.

Can other kinds of GLP-1 drugs also cause heart irregularities or cardiovascular health issues?

Yes, potentially. Many of the GLP-1 drugs that have become so popular function just like Ozempic and carry many of the same potential side effects. Be mindful of any heart issues that arise while taking these other diabetes and weight loss drugs:

• Rybelsus (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Wegovy (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
• Zepbound (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
• Saxenda (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Victoza (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Trulicity (dulaglutide from Eli Lilly and Company)

What are other Ozempic side effects I should be aware of?

In addition to heart palpitations and temporary changes in heart rate, these are other common side effects of Ozempic that patients have reported:

• Reduced appetite
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Upset stomach

Thankfully the above Ozempic side effects tend to be mild and temporary. Many GLP-1 patients notice that these side effects improve as they get used to taking their medication as directed.

If you are on Ozempic and notice no reduction in your side effects or a worsening of your side effects, be sure to discuss your experiences with your doctor.

Can Ozempic cause other serious health problems?

Potentially, yes. Some Ozempic patients have reported the following serious health problems linked to their use of the popular diabetes drug:

• Severe and prolonged vomiting
• Changes in vision (often related to diabetic retinopathy)
• Gallstones and gallbladder disease
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Increased risk of thyroid cancer
• Stomach paralysis (gastroparesis)
• Intestinal blockage or bowel obstruction (ileus)

How common are these other Ozempic complications?

The rare complications we’ve listed above are thankfully rare. Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company include warnings on their labels for their popular GLP-1 medications about some of the conditions we’ve highlighted.

If you are an Ozempic patient who has experienced severe gastrointestinal health problems because of the drug, the lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can help. We encourage you to contact our law firm as soon as possible if you have developed any of these four gastrointestinal complications from taking Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs:

• Severe and prolonged vomiting
• Stomach paralysis
• Intestinal blockage
• Bowel obstruction

Below is a brief overview of the four GI issues we’ve highlighted, including lists of symptoms/warning signs and the risk these conditions pose to your long-term health and wellness.

What are the dangers of excessive and prolonged vomiting for Ozempic patients?

It’s important to define what “excessive and prolonged” means. In these situations, this means that a person vomits several times a day for a period of two weeks or longer.

Vomiting this much on a daily basis can cause a number of problems to your throat and mouth. For one, the acidity from frequent vomiting can cause irritation and injuries to the esophagus. The acidity can also affect the pH of the mouth and the condition of your teeth, gradually eroding tooth enamel over time. Without treatment, this can cause tooth sensitivity, toothaches, root canal infection, and tooth loss.

On top of these issues, the inability to keep food and water down can contribute to malnutrition as well as dehydration.

Is excessive and prolonged vomiting linked to other serious Ozempic complications?

Yes. In fact, frequent vomiting could be the first warning sign of other GI tract problems linked to Ozempic use.

Don’t take your discomfort for granted. Be sure to speak with your doctor if you continue to suffer from bouts of vomiting after two weeks of taking Ozempic or another GLP-1 drug.

What are the dangers of stomach paralysis for Ozempic patients?

Also known as gastroparesis, stomach paralysis is when the nerves and muscles of the stomach cease to function properly as part of the digestive process. This causes food to remain in the stomach rather than proceeding into the small intestine and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract.

If stomach paralysis goes undiagnosed and untreated, it could cause malnutrition, dehydration, the formation of a bezoar (a solid mass in the stomach), and a host of other health problems.

What are the common signs and symptoms of stomach paralysis?

The most common warning signs of stomach paralysis include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Indigestion
• Stomach pain, particularly around the upper abdomen
• Abdominal bloating
• Total lack of appetite
• Heartburn
• Constipation

What are the dangers of intestinal blockage for Ozempic patients?

An intestinal blockage is an obstruction in the small intestine or part of the large intestine that prevents food from getting fully digested and waste from passing through a person’s body.

Intestinal blockage may be the result of ileus, which is when the intestinal muscles fail to contract and assist with the movement of food for digestion. Intestinal obstructions could also be the result of a bezoar passing from the stomach into the intestine and disrupting the digestion process.

If not treated, an intestinal blockage could cause death of the surrounding intestinal tissue and infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).

What are the common signs and symptoms of intestinal blockage?

The most common warning signs of intestinal obstruction include:

• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Bulging in the abdomen
• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation
• Inability to pass gas

What are the dangers of bowel obstruction for Ozempic patients?

Much like an intestinal blockage, a bowel obstruction is an interruption in digestion that affects the large intestine and colon. This could be due to ileus or a bezoar that’s preventing regular bowel movements.

Like blockage of the small intestine, bowel obstructions could lead to tissue death, peritonitis, or sepsis without proper treatment.

What are the common signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction?

The most common warning signs of bowel obstruction include:

• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation
• Inability to pass gas

What should I do if I develop gastrointestinal issues from taking Ozempic?

As we’ve noted above, be sure to see your doctor as soon as any serious health problems arise while you are taking Ozempic. Early detection and treatment of a health issue can prevent long-term damage to your gastrointestinal tract and overall health.

When you are healed or otherwise able to do so, you should then contact our Ozempic lawsuit lawyers at your earliest convenience. We can review what happened to you and determine if you are eligible to take legal action.

I take a different GLP-1 drug that is similar to Ozempic. Could I also experience severe gastrointestinal problems?

Yes. Drugs like Zepbound and Mounjaro work much like Ozempic and could cause serious GI problems even if you follow your doctor’s orders. Be mindful of any symptoms or serious side effects as they arise, and be ready to call your doctor at the first signs of a complication.

Can I sue Novo Nordisk if I develop serious medical complications from using Ozempic?

Potentially, yes. Ozempic patients may be able to take legal action against the drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk for serious health problems related to the use of GLP-1 drugs.

The lawyers of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can provide detailed answers to your questions about litigation related to GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. Our attorneys can help you take legal action against any pharmaceutical companies responsible for weight loss or diabetes drugs that cause severe and potentially life-threatening health complications.

We should note that qualifying legal clients do need to meet certain criteria, which we will screen for and discuss when you contact our law offices.

How much in damages could I receive from Novo Nordisk if I file an Ozempic lawsuit?

It depends. Compensation in GLP-1 drug cases will vary from person to person based on what they experienced while taking their prescription diabetes or weight loss medication.

While we cannot possibly offer an estimate of damages without discussing your case, compensation in a legal action will generally cover the cost of any previous and ongoing medical treatment as well as the long-term effects of the drug-related health problems on a person’s quality of life.

Since the amount of compensation in an Ozempic lawsuit is considered on an individual client basis, it’s best to discuss what happened to you with the GLP-1 attorneys at Bursor & Fisher, P.A.

How can I learn more about taking legal action for Ozempic-related medical health problems?

To learn more about potential compensation through a legal action, contact Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for a free case review.

Our law firm is a nationwide leader in complex, high-stakes litigation. Our attorneys have secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts over the years, which includes actions against pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers like Novo Nordisk.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. has represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans. Our lawyers are ready to speak to you.