What Are the Side Effects of Ozempic?

Ozempic and similar drugs have exploded in popularity in recent years. It’s estimated that 12% of people in the United States have tried Ozempic, semaglutide, or other kinds of GLP-1 medications. News reports and social media anecdotes have touted the many benefits of Ozempic, but there have also been questions about the side effects of the medication and long-term effects on health. As it turns out, Ozempic can also cause serious health complications.

Below, we’ll cover the basics of how Ozempic works and the different side effects associated with the diabetes medication. We’ll then focus on four serious gastrointestinal issues that some Ozempic patients have developed, and the potential for taking legal action if a GLP-1 adversely affects your health.

If you take Ozempic or another GLP-1 drug and have experienced severe health complications, you need to speak with the lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. Our law firm can let you know if you are eligible to take legal action and what steps you need to take next.

 

How Ozempic Works

Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1). GLP-1 is a hormone that occurs naturally in the human body and helps regulate blood sugar levels and feelings of satiety. GLP-1 injections like Ozempic mimic this hormone. By doing so, Ozempic helps improve blood sugar levels, slow the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine, and reduce cravings and feelings of hunger.

To put this in much simpler terms, Ozempic helps patients achieve lower blood sugar levels and feel fuller for longer periods of time. Since patients are not as hungry, they consume fewer calories throughout the day, which promotes weight loss and many other health benefits.

What Are the Most Common Side Effects of Ozempic?

These are the most common side effects that Ozempic patients experience, particularly in their first few weeks of taking injections:

• Reduced appetite
• Fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Blurry vision
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Upset stomach

Remember that these side effects are all normal among Ozempic patients. In addition, these side effects are only temporary for most people taking semaglutide.

Why Does Ozempic Make Some Patients Tired?

Studies have found that roughly 11% of Ozempic patients experience fatigue and drowsiness while on the drug. There are three common reasons why Ozempic patients experience fatigue:

• Eating Less Food – When a person takes Ozempic, they feel full for longer periods of time. That means Ozempic patients typically eat less than they did before taking the drug. Consuming fewer calories means less fuel than usual while going about the day.
• Dehydration – Ozempic patients often experience some degree of dehydration, particularly early on in treatment. Dehydration can contribute to feeling exhausted at certain points of the day or just a general sense of fatigue.
• Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) – Ozempic helps lower a patient’s blood sugar levels as part of managing type 2 diabetes. Hypoglycemia has been known to cause or contribute to fatigue when a patient’s blood sugar drops too low.

Why Does Ozempic Cause Headaches in Some Patients?

Headaches in Ozempic patients are usually linked to dehydration as well as low blood sugar. Other factors could be at play as well, depending on a person’s general health and wellness.

It’s also important to point out that changes in hormones could lead to greater sensitivity to headache triggers as patients first start taking semaglutide injections.

Why Does Ozempic Cause Nausea and Vomiting?

When people take Ozempic, their stomach empties at a much slower rate than it usually would. This is part of what helps people feel fuller for longer periods of time. Yet this change in digestion time and the digestion process could lead to initial feelings of nausea and the potential for vomiting. Some people may vomit a few times a day when they first start their semaglutide injections.

In addition, a person who is first taking Ozempic may try to eat the same amount of food as they normally would. Given the changes in digestion time, there’s a risk of overeating that could contribute to feelings of nausea as well as vomiting.

How Long Will These Common Ozempic Side Effects Last?

For most Ozempic patients, these normal side effects associated with semaglutide injections tend to last just a few weeks. As the body gets more accustomed to GLP-1 use, the side effects should become more manageable and far less severe.

Patients are encouraged to take time adjusting to Ozempic and journal about their side effects. Journaling may help identify certain foods, activities, or situations that make the GLP-1 side effects worse. While getting used to Ozempic, make sure you drink lots of water, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and eat well-balanced and nutritious meals.

What to Do If Your Ozempic Side Effects Get Worse

If you notice any worsening of your Ozempic side effects or the side effects persist for several weeks or more, be sure to speak with your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able to provide you with further instructions based on your health and the symptoms you’ve exhibited.

Speaking with your doctor about your side effects can also help with the early detection of a potential health problem caused by Ozempic use.

Serious Medical Issues Linked to Ozempic Use

While rare, Ozempic has been linked to a number of serious medical complications that are potentially life-threatening. These include the following:

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

Ozempic Gastrointestinal Complication Claims

A number of Ozempic patients have contacted our law firm to inquire about legal remedies after a serious medical issue from the use of semaglutide. The lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can help represent you if you developed any of these four GI tract complications while taking Ozempic:

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

Let’s go over each of these four GI problems in more detail so you know what warning signs to look for.

Severe Vomiting from Ozempic: What Patients Should Know

Some nausea and vomiting when you first start taking Ozempic is normal. By severe vomiting, we mean that you vomit several times a day for a period of two weeks or longer. This amount of nausea and vomiting impacts your quality of life and also has a number of negative effects on general wellness.

Risks to Health and Wellness

Vomiting several times a day for multiple consecutive weeks on end can cause irritation of and injury to the esophagus. In addition, you may also suffer from malnutrition, dehydration, and general feelings of exhaustion if you are unable to keep any food or water down.

In addition, the increased acidity in a person’s mouth can cause acidic erosion of the tooth enamel. Without proper care, this heightened acidity can lead to tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, root canal infections, and the loss of a tooth or multiple teeth.

We should note that severe and prolonged vomiting may be a symptom of another GI tract issue. If you are on Ozempic and vomit several times a day, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Gastroparesis from Ozempic: What Patients Should Know

Also known as gastroparesis, stomach paralysis is when the nerves and muscles of a person’s stomach do not push food into the small intestine to continue the normal digestive process. Numerous Ozempic patients have developed this condition even if they were closely following their doctor’s orders.

Symptoms and Warning Signs of Gastroparesis

The main symptoms and warning signs of stomach paralysis include:

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

If you notice any of the warning signs listed above, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Risks to Health and Wellness

If stomach paralysis goes undiagnosed and untreated, the condition could lead to malnutrition, dehydration, the formation of a bezoar (a solid mass in the stomach), and many other more serious health complications.

Intestinal Blockage from Ozempic: What Patients Should Know

An intestinal blockage is an obstruction in the small intestine or large intestine. The blockage prevents food from passing through the gastrointestinal tract for normal digestion and excretion.

Intestinal blockage could be caused by ileus, which means that the muscles of the intestines do not contract and push food through for digestion. An intestinal blockage could also be caused by a bezoar that passed from the stomach into the small intestine and continued down the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms and Warning Signs of Intestinal Blockage

The main symptoms and warning signs of intestinal blockage include:

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

If you notice any of the warning signs listed above, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Risks to Health and Wellness

If an intestinal blockage goes undiagnosed and untreated, it could cause death of the surrounding intestinal tissue and infection of the patient’s abdominal cavity (peritonitis). Both of these conditions are potentially fatal without immediate attention from a medical professional.

Bowel Obstruction from Ozempic: What Patients Should Know

A bowel obstruction is an intestinal blockage located in the large intestine and the colon. Much like blockage of the small intestine, bowel obstruction is often caused by ileus or the disruptive movement of a bezoar through a person’s GI tract.

Symptoms and Warning Signs of Bowel Obstruction

The main symptoms and warning signs of bowel obstruction include:

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

If you notice any of the warning signs listed above, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Risks to Health and Wellness

If a bowel obstruction goes undiagnosed and untreated, the condition could cause tissue death, peritonitis, or sepsis. All of these conditions are potentially fatal without proper medical attention as soon as symptoms arise.

Ozempic Alternatives and Similar Drugs Can Cause Serious Health Complications

Remember: Ozempic is the brand name of semaglutide. There are many other diabetes and weight loss drugs on the market that work just the same or similarly.

These medications can also cause gastrointestinal complications that have long-lasting effects on your health:

• 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)

Legal Options for Ozempic Patients Who Experienced a Health Complication

If you suffered a serious injury while taking Ozempic as directed, you are not alone. You may be eligible to take legal action against Novo Nordisk for serious medical problems that were caused by Ozempic or their other GLP-1 medications.

The attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can provide answers to your questions about litigation related to Ozempic as well as other medications such as Zepbond and Wegovy.

How Bursor & Fisher, P.A. Can Help Ozempic Patients

To be represented by our law firm, qualifying legal clients must meet specific criteria regarding their injuries.

The lawyers of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. will carefully screen for certain conditions and review your case when you contact us for a free evaluation.

Damages in an Ozempic Health Problem Case

Damages in an Ozempic lawsuit can cover the cost of hospitalization and emergency medical care, ongoing health expenses related to Ozempic use, and any long-term effects of the medication on a person’s quality of life.

Keep in mind that the amount of damages awarded in an Ozempic injury case is determined on an individual client basis. To find out how much your legal claim could be worth, it’s best to discuss what happened with the Ozempic lawsuit lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A.

How Ozempic Patients Can Learn More About Their Legal Options

For more information about seeking compensation from the makers of Ozempic, contact Bursor & Fisher, P.A. Your case evaluation is free.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. has represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans. Our law firm is a nationwide leader in complex, high-stakes litigation.

Our lawyers have secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts over the years, which includes actions against pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers like Novo Nordisk. We’re ready to speak to you.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is not a medical provider. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.