Ozempic and Wegovy for Weight Loss: The Negative Effects

Ozempic and Wegovy have become increasingly popular medications for weight loss, but there are some potential negative side effects to consider before starting on these drugs.  Ozempic is an injectable medication that works by decreasing appetite and increasing the feeling of fullness after eating. It also helps the body use insulin more efficiently, which can help control blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is a once-weekly, non-insulin injection that helps with weight loss by affecting hormones that control hunger and satiety.

 

While both Ozempic and Wegovy have been shown to be effective in helping people lose weight, they do come with some potential risks. People taking Ozempic have reported nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness, pain in the abdomen or stomach area and lipodystrophy – an abnormal accumulation of fat under the skin at injection sites. The most common side effect associated with Wegovy is nausea, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. In some cases patients have experienced hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) while taking both medications.

 

In addition to possible side effects of the drug itself, long term use of either medication may pose risks down the road as well. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggested a link between using anti-diabetic medications for weight loss and increased risk for heart failure or stroke in certain patients with type 2 diabetes. A recent study published in The British Medical Journal found a correlation between using anti-obesity drugs such as Ozempic or Wegovy and an increased risk for pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). While these studies suggest a possible link between use of these drugs and certain health risks, further research is needed to better understand any potential long-term consequences from taking them.