Side effects of Ozempic seem to be similar in males and females. Some evidence suggests that females may be more likely to have side effects from GLP-1 agonists, but this hasn’t been specifically shown with Ozempic.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription injection that’s FDA-approved for:
- improving blood sugar management in adults with type 2 diabetes
- reducing the risk of major cardiovascular complications in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Ozempic may also be prescribed off-label for weight loss. (With off-label use, a drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)
Several studies examining Ozempic’s side effects mostly involved female participants. Some of the most common side effects reported in these studies included nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Read on to learn more about Ozempic side effects in females.
Note: In this article, we use the term ”male/female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
Limited evidence suggests that certain side effects of Ozempic are more common in females than males. Several studies that examined the rates of side effects with Ozempic have mostly included female participants.
Ozempic belongs to a drug class called glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) receptor agonists. In a 2020
Females in this study reported:
- headaches nearly
eight times more often than males - dizziness more than three times as often
- vomiting more than four times as often
Side effects of Ozempic
In a 2022 study involving 175 people using semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic), the following side effects were commonly reported. About
| Side effect | Percentage |
|---|---|
| nausea and vomiting | 36.6% |
| diarrhea | 8.6% |
| fatigue | 6.3% |
| constipation | 5.7% |
| abdominal pain | 5.1% |
In another 2022 study, the effectiveness of semaglutide for weight loss was compared with that of a placebo. Nearly
The table below includes examples of side effects that were more common among people using semaglutide than those using a placebo in the study.
| Side effect | Percentage of people using semaglutide | Percentage of people using a placebo |
|---|---|---|
| nausea | 53.3% | 21.7% |
| diarrhea | 34.9% | 23.7% |
| constipation | 30.9% | 11.2% |
| vomiting | 30.3% | 4.6% |
| cold | 15.8% | 15.1% |
| upper abdominal pain | 14.5% | 6.6% |
| indigestion | 13.2% | 4.6% |
| gas | 13.2% | 6.6% |
| stomach flu | 13.2% | 2.6% |
Ozempic side effects in people who can become pregnant
There aren’t enough studies to know whether Ozempic is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Animal studies suggest that there may be some risk to the animal fetus if Ozempic is used during pregnancy.
Because of this, if you’re planning a pregnancy, doctors would likely recommend you stop using Ozempic 2 months before becoming pregnant.
Are females more likely to get ‘Ozempic face’?
“Ozempic face” is an informal term that refers to the facial appearance of some people using Ozempic who lose weight rapidly. This rapid weight loss can cause:
- sagging
- wrinkles
- a hallowed out and gaunt appearance
It’s not clear if females are more likely to develop “Ozempic face,” but there’s some
Learn more about how Ozempic affects your face.
Acute pancreatitis is the sudden swelling of your pancreas. It’s a rare but serious side effect of Ozempic that has been reported in studies. It’s not clear whether pancreatitis occurs more often in females.
Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include:
- severe abdominal pain
- nausea or vomiting
- fast heart rate
- fever
- low blood pressure
- jaundice
- abdominal tenderness or swelling
Most side effects from Ozempic go away within days to weeks of stopping treatment or having your dose reduced. It’s not clear whether long-term side effects from Ozempic are more common in females than in males.
Semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) has been linked to some long-term side effects. These include:
- increased risk of thyroid cancer
- diabetic retinopathy
- kidney problems
- gallbladder problems
- suicidal thoughts and behaviors
There are concerns that Ozempic might make oral birth control pills less effective. Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists may slow down stomach emptying and affect how consistently birth control pills are absorbed. Animal studies suggest that semaglutide may affect the reproductive cycle, which could affect how well birth control pills work. But at this time, there is no specific evidence that shows Ozempic affects birth control.
Ozempic is a prescription injection that’s FDA-approved for use in adults with type 2 diabetes. It’s also prescribed off-label for weight loss. The drug belongs to a drug class called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
More extensive research will help determine whether Ozempic is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you’re planning a pregnancy, your doctor may likely recommend you stop using Ozempic.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.