Like any medication, Semaglutide has some possible side effects, and these side effects range in likelihood and severity. Some side effects of Semaglutide may require medical attention, and some don’t. Some of the more common side effects that don’t necessitate a consultation with your doctor can arise as a result of the patient’s body adjusting to the medication and can often be managed relatively easily.
These side effects include sour stomach or acid reflux, excessive gas or belching, swelling or tenderness of the stomach, upset stomach or nausea, constipation or diarrhea, heartburn, or a feeling of pressure in the stomach. While many of these side effects can be managed with relatively simple, over-the-counter treatments, you should see your doctor if these less serious symptoms persist or become unmanageable or exceedingly bothersome.
More serious side effects of Semaglutide are generally rare and require medical attention, though some of these side effects are more common than others. Some side effects have an unknown incidence, reported infrequently but still concerning. If any of the following side effects arise shortly after you begin taking Semaglutide, see your doctor as soon as you can to prevent larger health issues from arising. Some patients experience mental effects like anxiety, confusion, irritability, a feeling of sadness or emptiness, a sense of discouragement, a loss of interest or pleasure, or trouble concentrating. Some of these seemingly mental or emotional side effects are tied together with physical side effects, like cold sweats or dizziness, which can manifest as a part of an overall sense of anxiety.
Some of the less common side effects of Semaglutide are more immediately physical in nature and could include blurred vision, chills, increased heart rate or chest tightness, difficulty swallowing, darkened urine, headaches, itching or hives, increased hunger or loss of appetite, trouble breathing or sleeping, nightmares, a feeling of overall weakness, shakiness, slurred speech, and seizures.
In some patients, less common side effects might include large areas of puffiness or swelling, similar to hives, on the eyelids or face, lips, hands, throat, tongue, and lips; other patients report similar swollen areas on the hands, feet, legs, or genitals. In some patients, the skin may redden or develop a rash or the skin and eyes may yellow, and some patients report pain in the abdomen that may radiate to the back, unusual fatigue, and nausea or vomiting.
While some of the possible side effects of Semaglutide require medical attention, some might go away as the patient’s body adjusts to the medication. Your doctor can also help you prevent or reduce the more common side effects before they arise, explaining the possibilities as you plan treatment.
Even if a side effect isn’t considered serious, make sure to see your doctor if any side effects of Semaglutide interfere with your regular day-to-day activities or affect your quality of life, and make sure to seek medical attention if more serious side effects arise. Different side effects are more or less common whether you take Semaglutide orally or as an injectable medication, and your doctor will make sure you know what to look out for when you’re planning your treatment and making key decisions in your own health and happiness.