Semaglutide (Ozempic ®, Wegovy ®) has gained attention recently for not only treating type 2 diabetes, but mainly for its weight loss potential. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide works by regulating appetite and reducing food intake, leading to significant weight loss in clinical trials. This drug has shown promising results in helping individuals with obesity manage their weight and improve their overall health. However, can it possibly be…dangerous?
What are the side effects of Semaglutide?
The side effects of semaglutide and other GLP-1 agonists are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
The warnings and precautions that associated with semaglutide and other medications in its class are:
- Risk of thyroid C-cell tumor
- Pancreatitis
- Diabetic retinopathy complications
- Acute Kidney Injury
However, one effect that is becoming more noticeable is facial drooping or also called, “Ozempic face”.
What is “Ozempic face’
“Ozempic face” is caused by the rapid decrease in weight and despite the name, it can occur from any medication in the class of GLP-1 agonists not just from the brand name itself. Because the weight is coming off at a faster than normal pace, patients often get an appearance of a drooling face caused by sagging of the skin.
How can you treat “Ozempic face”?
There is no treatment for this condition, however, there are ways to treat or lessen this side effect of the medication class as a whole.
- Incorporating a healthy diet. Although semaglutide and other medications in this class do have strong gastrointestinal side effects, it is still important to obtain a healthy diet. This may include focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats, while limiting intake of processed and high-sugar foods. This is even more crucial to implement because the portion sizes will be smaller for you since you will probably not want to eat as much due to the loss of appetite effects of the medication. If able to, be sure to work with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to create a personalized nutrition plan that takes into account individual needs, goals, and medication use.
- Having an end goal weight. Knowing and discussing with your healthcare provider a realistic end weight goal while on these medications will help you to stay motivated and focused on achieving your desired weight loss results. This will also give you a chance to evaluate when you should come off the medication since this type of treatment is not recommended for long-term use for weight loss.
- Resistance training. This is also a critical component because although cardio is important for weight loss and heart health, resistance training will help to prevent skin sagging by building and maintaining muscle mass, which can help fill out loose skin. Grabbing some dumbbells or resistance bands and trying some muscle building exercises will not only help with skin sagging issues but will also help with fat loss and insulin resistance. However, it is important to note that the exact impact of resistance training on skin sagging may vary depending on individual factors such as age, weight loss history, and genetics.
Obesity is a serious condition that is affecting both children and adults in the United States. Obesity related conditions include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancers. Although semaglutide and other GLP-1 agonists medications can help treat patients with obesity, it should not be used as the only option or long-term treatment as healthy habits should be implemented as the weight loss occurs. Building healthy habits while on these medications should be top priority in order to establish sustainable results for the future.
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