Doctors have issued a fresh warning concerning Ozempic as new brutal side effects come to the surface.
Around 12 percent of adults in the US have turned to glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) drugs, according to a 2024 medical survey, which is meant to treat people with Type 2 diabetes.
And although Ozempic and Mounjaro have been cleared by the FDA to help with the condition, it has not been approved as a weight loss option, though similar GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and liraglutide (Saxenda) have been approved by the FDA to help treat obesity.
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Despite this, countless people have been using it to drop a few pounds - and evidence suggests demand is only increasing.
The jab works by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone released in the body when we fill full after eating - essentially suppressing the appetite.
Yet Ozempic, seemingly considered a Hollywood fave among the rich and famous, has some unsavoury side effects - from 'Ozempic face' to 'Ozempic butt' and even 'Ozempic feet', where loose, sagging or aging skin appears as result of the rapid weight loss.
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Research even suggests it can change users' sense of smell, and other common side effects include diarrhoea, nausea, 'sulphur burps', dental problems and changes to hair, nails and even the tongue.
Now, health experts are warning there's a whole host of other lesser known side effects of the 'Ozempic aftermath'.
Sunburn
An advanced aesthetics specialist, Dr Emma Cunningham, told The Sun that clinics have been overrun with patients seeking help with their 'GLP-1 Face'.
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However, beyond that she has warned it can actually result in skin sensitivity and even sunburn for some users.
She claims that natural insulation is lost when the body drops fat, in turn hiking the risk of dehydration or heat exhaustion when the temperatures rise, and therefore the risk of skin injury like sunburn.
Meanwhile, the skin barrier can become thinner when the body's immune system and metabolism changes.
“The combination of these factors can cause individuals taking the drug to be prone to sunburns or rashes, even when using sun protection,” Dr Cunningham said. “Wearing a high SPF and staying in the shade during the hottest days is recommended. This is important for people who have just undergone weight loss.”
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Mood and energy levels
Healthcare professionals warn some patients are also suffering from a change in their mood and cognitive function after taking Ozempic.
Dr Cunningham explained: “Users have said before that there have been signs of difficulty concentrating and obtaining focus while taking the drug.
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“This could be caused by the massive changes in energy levels and metabolism caused by rapid weight loss.
“Without adequate nutrients, the brain is unable to maintain focus and clarity, causing mental fog to become a serious issue.”
Nails and hair
Dr Cunningham said Ozempic patients are naturally more prone to 'skin elasticity and sagging' from fat loss all over the body leaving the skin 'looking loose and deflated'.
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While many look to cosmetic corrections to their skin issues, like body contouring treatments, the doc says she's also spotted a hike in patients who report issues with the nails and hair while taking the drug.
This isn't just unique to Ozempic or weight-loss jabs, as weight loss in general can thin the hair and cause nails to become brittle.
Fortunately, this is often 'temporary', Dr Cunningham added, but certainly 'distressing for people trying to keep a healthy appearance'.
To mitigate against the risk, she advised: “Try to ensure you have a balanced diet and add some supplements into your day to get rid of these side effects.”
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Bad breath and 'metallic' taste
Dr Sepideh Jalali, a dentist at The Tooth Club, also told the news outlet that dentists have been flooded with users complaining of so-called 'GLP-1 teeth' and dental problems, including increased sensitivity, dry mouth, gum recession, cavities, mouth sores and even bad breath, most of which is believed to have come from dehydration posed by the sudden weight loss.
The dentist explained: “Many are unaware that a hidden side effect of changing dietary habits and the body's reaction to meditation can cause dry mouth, which can lead to plaque buildup and a high risk of tooth decay.
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“GLP-1 causes changes in the way food is processed by the stomach, causing nausea, which can also affect the oral environment.”
'Ozempic tongue'
Dr Jalali also said the drug can sometimes cause 'Ozempic tongue', where users report a change in appearance, swelling, a burning sensation and a metallic taste.
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She said this is because the jab affects the gut microbiome and reduces saliva production in the mouth which is 'essential for your mouth to wash away food particles, neutralises harmful acids, helps fight bacteria, and keeps oral tissue hydrated'.
To avoid the risk, Dr Jalali advised Ozempic users to keep up good oral hygiene and dental care, and to speak to a dentist for long-term care plan.
A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk - the manufacturer of Ozempic - told UNILAD: "Wegovy®▼ (semaglutide injection) and Ozempic® (semaglutide injection) are prescription only medicines and require a healthcare professional to prescribe under strict supervision. Treatment decisions should be made together with a healthcare provider who can evaluate the appropriateness of using a GLP-1 based on assessment of a patient’s individual medical profile.
"Patient safety is of the utmost importance to Novo Nordisk. We continuously collect safety data on our marketed GLP-1 RA medicines and work closely with the authorities to ensure patient safety. As part of this work we continue to monitor reports of adverse drug reactions through routine pharmacovigilance. Regarding safety, the most common adverse events among people treated with Ozempic® (semaglutide injection) for its indicated use, are gastrointestinal events including nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting. Most events were transient, and mild or moderate in severity and resolved without permanent treatment discontinuation.
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"We recommend that any patients experiencing side effects while taking GLP receptor agonists including Wegovy® or Ozempic® report them to their healthcare provider and via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/."
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