Serious Ozempic Side Effects, Confirmed: Here’s What to Know
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Most people know that GLP-1 receptor agonist medications like Ozempic and Wegovy can cause relatively minor side effects like nausea and diarrhea. But new research confirms that more serious complications—like pancreatitis and kidney damage—are real.
It's important to point out that most people who use GLP-1 receptor agonist medications do not experience these side effects. But, of course, you should be aware of all potential risks before using a medication. Here’s what the study suggests, plus what a weight loss physician wants you to know.
Meet the expert: Mir Ali, MD, is the medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.
What did the study find?
The study, which was published in Nature Medicine on January 20, analyzed data from more than 2 million people with diabetes who took GLP-1 receptor agonist medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.
The researchers found that these medications helped lower the risk of developing 42 different health conditions or outcomes, including dementia, cardiac arrest, and certain kinds of cancer. But they also discovered that people who took these medications had a higher risk of developing 19 different negative health outcomes.
Those included nausea and vomiting, kidney stones, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep issues, stomach cramps, pancreatitis, and gastroparesis (i.e. stomach paralysis).
These findings are “consistent with other studies previously done,” says Mir Ali, MD, the medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.
How likely are pancreatitis and kidney damage while taking Ozempic?
The risk of developing both of these conditions while taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication is low. But research has generally shown that the risk of developing pancreatitis while taking this medication is less than one percent.
Reports of kidney damage have largely been limited to case reports, suggesting they’re extremely rare.
What are the other side effects of Ozempic?
Of course, it’s possible to have side effects on Ozempic without becoming seriously ill. According to the Ozempic website, more common side effects include:
Nausea
Diarrhea
Constipation
Stomach pain
Vomiting
How can I avoid side effects on Ozempic?
Everyone reacts to these medications differently, Ali says. However, he says you can often lower your risk of side effects by staying well hydrated, eating smaller meals, and limiting processed foods, high-fat foods, and refined carbohydrates.
Another thing to keep in mind: Side effects, if you do experience them, tend to ease in a few weeks when your body gets used to the medication, per Ali.
“I do believe the benefits outweigh the risks; although gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhea or constipation are common, they are manageable, for the most part,” Ali says. “More serious side effects like pancreatitis and kidney complications are very rare.”
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