Yes, Ozempic® can make you tired. Why the medication has this effect in some people is not fully understood. It could be because Ozempic decreases appetite which leads a person to eat less and therefore get less energy from food.
Ozempic may cause some people to feel tired. However, this side effect is rare and usually goes away over time. More common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These typically subside as your body adjusts to Ozempic.
Fatigue may be a side effect of Ozempic. It's reported in more than 0.4% of people taking the drug, so it's not common. It's not clear why Ozempic may cause fatigue, but a reduced calorie intake may be to blame. Lower your sleep debt and get in sync with your circadian rhythm to boost your energy levels.
The most common side effect with Ozempic is nausea and occurs in about 15% to 20% of people. Others include vomiting (5% to 9%), diarrhea (8%), stomach-area pain (6% to 7%), and constipation (3% to 7%).
Dizziness can occur while taking Ozempic. This side effect was very rare in people taking the drug in clinical trials.
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) can cause side effects that some people are unable to tolerate. Following dosing guidelines can help manage these side effects. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most common semaglutide side effects. But they usually subside after a few weeks of using the medication.
The most common side effects of Ozempic, according to the drug's website, are nausea, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea and vomiting. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, told CBS News that the drugs "are a well-established class of medicines, which have demonstrated long-term safety in clinical trials.
Ozempic can cause nausea and vomiting if taken after eating foods high in fat or sugar. It is recommended that you take Ozempic before meals, rather than after, to minimise any potential side effects from eating high-fat or high-sugar foods.
Ozempic and its sister medication, Wegovy — approved for weight loss for people who are obese or overweight with weight-related medical conditions — are considered long-term or lifelong treatments.
Ozempic is also used off-label for weight loss. In particular, it can help reduce the amount of belly fat. This is because Ozempic works by making you feel fuller for longer, which can help you resist overeating by controlling cravings and hunger.
You should inject Ozempic once a week — on the same day of the week, every week. It doesn't make a big difference whether you take it in the morning or at night. It's possible to change the day of the week you inject Ozempic. The general rule is to avoid injecting it with less than 2 days in between shots.
It's used to lower blood glucose (sugar) levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. The starting dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg injected once weekly for 4 weeks. Then, your dose is moved up to 0.5 mg once weekly.
On average, a user can lose about 3 to 5% of their body weight after using Ozempic for a month regularly. This equates to about 4 to 6 pounds on average. Using a higher potency of the drug may result in more weight loss, but it isn't recommended that you start taking it right away.
What is the best time to take Ozempic®? Administer Ozempic® once weekly on the same day each week, at any time of the day, with or without meals.
You may need a higher dosage of Ozempic
The same holds true for Ozempic's weight loss results. People taking higher doses of Ozempic tend to lose more weight. In the landmark study we cited above, people lost 7% of their body weight, on average, within a year and a half of taking 1mg of semaglutide.
In combination with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, Ozempic may also be prescribed off-label for weight management in people with obesity and overweight. Gastrointestinal side effects from Ozempic are common, but manageable. They include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation.
Still, Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications will be most effective for weight loss and blood sugar control when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Generally, eating healthy foods and avoiding foods high in sugar, calories, and unhealthy fats while taking Ozempic helps.
A 2022 study found that most individuals gain weight back a year after stopping the medication.
Even in non-diabetics, Ozempic can increase the risk of low blood sugar due its effects on insulin secretion and glucagon inhibition. Symptoms like confusion, rapid heartbeat, sweating and hunger may occur in severe cases.
Can I enjoy a drink while on Ozempic medication? The short answer is yes: You can drink alcohol while taking Ozempic.
In summary, Ozempic can make you feel tired, but it's a rare side effect. In the long-term, you may notice the opposite: energy increases and you're less tired, as you lose weight and improve cardiovascular health while taking Ozempic combined with physical activity and diet changes.
There is no specific time frame when someone should stop taking Ozempic as it is a medication that is intended for chronic (long-term) use.