Tag: Semaglutide side effects

According to clinical trials, nausea is one of the most commonly reported side effects, affecting up to 50% of individuals taking semaglutide at higher doses. Understanding how to keep from getting sick on semaglutide is crucial for managing these adverse effects and staying on track with your treatment plan. This guide outlines proven strategies to help your body adjust.

While there is no substantial evidence suggesting that semaglutide directly exacerbates autoimmune responses, individual health factors can vary widely. This brings up an important discussion: can I take semaglutide if I have an autoimmune disease, and what factors should be considered? Consult with your healthcare provider to assess your specific situation.

According to a 2021 study on a higher semaglutide dose, participants lost an average of 3.8% of their body weight in the first 4 weeks of treatment. For many, the initial 4 weeks on semaglutide focus on a noticeable reduction in appetite and the management of common gastrointestinal side effects.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes, and a high percentage of them will be prescribed either metformin or Ozempic. When managing Type 2 diabetes, the question of which medication, **metformin or Ozempic**, is safer is a key concern for many patients. While both effectively control blood sugar, they have distinct mechanisms, side effect profiles, and safety considerations that must be carefully evaluated.

Gastrointestinal issues like nausea are the most common side effects of semaglutide, with some studies showing up to 44% of users on a 2.4 mg dose experience it [1.2.5]. This guide explains how to avoid getting sick on semaglutide through proven strategies.

While the overall risk remains low, the European Medicines Agency reported in 2025 that non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition that can cause blindness, is a "very rare" side effect of semaglutide medicines, including Ozempic. This has prompted crucial questions about how Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists may impact vision, especially for those with underlying health issues.

Recent studies have highlighted a potential link between the use of semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) and an increased risk of several serious health conditions [1.5.1]. So, what diseases can semaglutide cause? Potential risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and thyroid tumors [1.3.2].

According to clinical trial data for Wegovy, a form of semaglutide, 3% of participants reported hair loss, compared to 1% in the placebo group. While semaglutide itself may not be the direct cause, many experts and studies suggest that the rapid weight loss it can induce is the primary factor behind temporary hair shedding.

According to Health.com, “Ozempic feet” are characterized by sagging skin and reduced fat padding on the feet, resulting from rapid weight loss. While the term mentions a specific medication, this phenomenon is not a direct side effect of the drug itself but rather a consequence of losing a significant amount of weight quickly.

Recent studies suggest a potential link between semaglutide and Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION), but reports on the timing of onset vary significantly. Experts caution that while an association is possible, proving direct causality remains a challenge. The answer to **how long after starting semaglutide does NAION start** is not straightforward.