What Is the Biggest Side Effect of Ozempic?

Ozempic (semaglutide) has many side effects, though nausea is the most commonly experienced side effect. In clinical trials, roughly 1 in 5 Ozempic patients reported some degree of nausea. Other common Ozempic side effects also affect the gastrointestinal system. These include vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. Despite the frequency of these GI side effects in patients, Ozempic remains a popular option to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Let’s discuss nausea and other frequent secondary effects of Ozempic. We’ll also explore some potential health complications related to Ozempic. As it turns out, persistent nausea and vomiting may be the first warning sign of a major gastrointestinal complication. Ozempic patients who come down with these kinds of GI issues may be eligible to file a legal claim.

If you experienced serious gastrointestinal health problems after taking Ozempic, speak with the lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. Our law firm can evaluate your situation and let you know if you qualify for an Ozempic lawsuit. Request a free consultation with our Ozempic attorneys today.

 

How Do Ozempic Injections Work?

To understand the usual side effects of Ozempic, it’s important to discuss how the medication works.

Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1, or sometimes GLP-1 RA). GLP-1 is a hormone that naturally occurs in the body. This hormone helps lower blood sugar and regulate feelings of satiety.

GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic mimic this hormone and its effects on the brain and gastrointestinal system, slowing down the digestive process and suppressing appetite. Since patients feel full for longer periods during the day, they consume fewer calories, which aids in weight loss.

Other Medications That Are Like Ozempic

Ozempic has become a catch-all term for various diabetes and obesity medications that are extremely popular today. However, Ozempic is the brand name of just one type of medication. These other drugs include:

• 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)

The drugs listed above all have gastrointestinal side effects that are similar to Ozempic.

Why Does Ozempic Cause Nausea?

GLP-1 causes slower digestion and gastric emptying. That means food remains in the stomach longer before traveling through the rest of the digestive tract. The presence of food in the stomach means reduced hunger, but it can also cause bloating and nausea. In addition, Ozempic may stimulate parts of your brain that lead to sensations of nausea.

How Long Does Ozempic-Related Nausea Last?

Generally speaking, Ozempic patients typically experience pronounced nauseousness in the first two to six weeks of taking the drug. As the body adjusts to regular GLP-1 injections, these queasy sensations become less of an issue. When patients miss a dose of Ozempic or discontinue use of the GLP-1, queasiness and nausea may return or last longer.

If your nausea on Ozempic persists after six weeks or gets worse, be sure to speak with your doctor.

Why Does Ozempic Cause Other Gastrointestinal Side Effects?

We mentioned that Ozempic can cause other common side effects that impact the gastrointestinal system. Let’s briefly explore why Ozempic causes vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain.

• Vomiting – Because food remains in the stomach due to delayed gastric emptying, Ozempic patients are likely to vomit on occasion due to nausea and an upset stomach, especially early on in semaglutide treatment.
• Diarrhea – The exact reasons why Ozempic can cause diarrhea are unknown. Some medical professionals believe it has to do with changes in the rate of nutrient absorption while food is traveling through the intestines. The body may suddenly move food through the intestines more rapidly to make room for other food that needs to be digested, causing diarrhea.
• Constipation – Ozempic patients tend to eat less food than usual and may experience issues with dehydration due to nausea and vomiting. Less food and fluid consumption combined with slower digestion can result in dry, hard stools that are difficult to pass.
• Abdominal Pain and Discomfort – Slower gastric emptying can cause varying degrees of stomach pain and cramping. This may be due to bloating, gas, or the uncomfortable feeling of prolonged fullness. Abdominal pain could also be a sign of a much more serious health issue while on Ozempic, which we will discuss in a moment.

How Long Do These Common GI Side Effects Last?

As with nausea, these other Ozempic side effects tend to last for about two to six weeks. As Ozempic patients get accustomed to regular GLP-1 injections, these side effects should be less pronounced.

Be sure to speak with your doctor if any of the GI side effects associated with Ozempic continue after six weeks or get worse.

Can Ozempic Cause Severe Side Effects and Health Risks?

Yes. Some Ozempic patients have experienced major side effects and medical complications even though they took their GLP-1 injections as directed.

These severe side effects include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney disease, thyroid issues, and serious gastrointestinal health problems.

What Are the Biggest Health Complications of Ozempic?

Gastrointestinal complications are among the biggest complications associated with Ozempic patients. Specifically, we’re referring to a risk of developing these severe GI issues:

• Frequent and prolonged vomiting
• Stomach paralysis (gastropaersis)
• Intestinal blockage
• Bowel obstruction

These Ozempic-related gastrointestinal complications are potentially life-threatening and may require surgery and other emergency treatments. Some Ozempic patients who’ve experienced gastrointestinal issues now require the use of an ileostomy bag or a colostomy bag.

Do Ozempic Patients Have Legal Options After Suffering a Medical Emergency?

Potentially, yes.

If you were diagnosed with a gastrointestinal health complication caused by Ozempic or another GLP-1 drug, the attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can help you file a lawsuit to seek compensation.

Keep in mind that certain criteria must be met to qualify for a lawsuit against the makers of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, and other diabetes and weight loss medications.

As part of your free case evaluation, our lawyers will carefully screen for certain conditions to ensure you are eligible to file a legal claim.

Frequent and Prolonged Vomiting from Ozempic Use

Vomiting is among the biggest side effects of Ozempic, but frequent and prolonged vomiting is a rarer and much more serious health issue. By “frequent and prolonged,” we mean that an Ozempic patient vomits several times a day for a period of two weeks or longer.

Frequent vomiting can have all kinds of effects on a person’s throat and oral health. The increased acidity from frequent vomiting can lead to irritation of and injuries to the esophagus. Higher acidity also impacts the pH of the mouth, slowly eroding the tooth enamel. Continuing to vomit frequently can contribute to tooth sensitivity, toothaches, root canal infection, and tooth loss.

As we examine the other health complications associated with Ozempic, keep in mind that frequent vomiting is a common warning sign of these other gastrointestinal problems.

Stomach Paralysis (Gastroparesis) from Ozempic Use

Also known as gastroparesis, stomach paralysis is when the muscles and nerves of the stomach fail to move food into the small intestine. Without gastric emptying, any ingested food and liquid remain stuck in the stomach.

Without medical treatment, gastroparesis can cause dehydration, malnutrition, the formation of a bezoar (a hardened mass within the stomach), and other serious health problems.

Signs and Symptoms of Stomach Paralysis

The most common signs and symptoms of stomach paralysis include:

• Severe nausea
• Frequent vomiting
• Indigestion
• Stomach pain, particularly around the upper abdomen
• Bloating
• Complete lack of appetite
• Heartburn
• Constipation

Intestinal Blockage from Ozempic Use

An intestinal obstruction is when part of the small or large intestine is unable to move food or liquid through the digestive tract.

There are two potential causes of an intestinal blockage due to Ozempic use:

• Ileus – Ileus is when the intestines fail to contract normally. This is also referred to as a functional bowel obstruction since there is no physical blockage present in the intestine.
• Bezoar – If a bezoar forms in the stomach and passes into the intestines, the mass could lead to a major blockage that prevents food and liquid from moving through the digestive tract.

Without medical treatment, an intestinal obstruction could cause death of the surrounding intestinal tissue and infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).

Signs and Symptoms of Intestinal Blockage

The most common signs and symptoms of an intestinal blockage include:

• Severe nausea
• Frequent vomiting
• Abdominal cramping
• Stomach pain
• Bulging in the abdomen
• Bloating
• Dehydration
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Complete lack of appetite
• Constipation
• Difficulty passing gas

Bowel Obstruction from Ozempic Use

Bowel obstruction is like an intestinal blockage, but the disruption is located in the large intestine and colon. A blocked bowel can be caused by ileus or a bezoar.

As with obstruction of the small intestine, a blocked bowel can cause tissue death, peritonitis, or sepsis without immediate medical treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of Bowel Obstruction

The most common signs and symptoms of a bowel obstruction include:

• Severe nausea
• Frequent vomiting
• Abdominal cramping
• Stomach pain
• Bulging in the abdomen
• Bloating
• Dehydration
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Complete lack of appetite
• Constipation
• Difficulty passing gas

What Should I Do If I Experience a Major Gastrointestinal Problem from Taking Ozempic?

If you experience any of the GI complications detailed above, seek immediate medical attention. Even if you are unsure that you have a gastrointestinal emergency, it’s best to seek help from health professionals out of an abundance of caution.

When you have recovered and are well enough to do so, we encourage you to contact the Ozempic injury attorneys at our law firm. Our lawyers can let you know if you qualify for litigation.

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

The attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. have secured numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts over the years, including actions against pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company. We’re ready to be your advocate.

A nationwide leader in complex high-stakes litigation, our law firm has represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans.

How Much Can I Win If I Sue for Ozempic-Related Health Problems?

This depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of your GI problems, the medical treatments performed, and the lasting effects of the Ozempic-related health problems on your livelihood and quality of life. We cannot provide any estimate on how much your Ozempic lawsuit may be worth until we’ve had an opportunity to evaluate the details of your case.

With that in mind, damages sought in an Ozempic injury case can help cover the cost of hospitalization, any emergency medical care, ongoing health expenses, the loss of income, and changes in your future earning potential.

To learn how much your Ozempic case could be worth, it’s best to contact our GLP-1 injury attorneys for a free consultation.

How Much Will It Cost to Hire an Ozempic Injury Attorney?

It costs clients nothing to hire an Ozempic lawyer with Bursor & Fisher, P.A.

In addition to free case evaluations, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay our lawyers anything unless and until we secure compensation for you.

Put simply: if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

How Injured Ozempic Patients Can Learn More About Filing a Lawsuit

If you experienced a serious medical emergency while taking Ozempic as directed, you are not alone. You may be eligible to take legal action against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company, and our weight loss drug lawyers can help.

For more information about seeking damages from the makers of Ozempic and similar GLP-1 medications, contact the attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for a free case review.

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.