Ozempic’s Unexpected Impacts on the Body

Ozempic and other glucagon-like peptide inhibitors (GLP-1s) have taken the world by storm. These drugs have proven to be a remarkably effective diabetes treatment. They have even become a common weight loss tool.

GLP-1s, including Saxenda and Wegovy, are prescribed directly for weight loss, and millions of people have taken advantage of this benefit. Roughly 12% of adults say that they have used a GLP-1 drug at some point.

Researchers are still learning about these medications. Ongoing studies continue to uncover new potential health impacts, both positive and negative. Here are some of the common and often-surprising ways Ozempic and similar medications can impact specific parts of the body:

A 2025 study conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia found that women who use GLP-1 medications are at an increased risk of hair loss.

While the exact cause of this potential link is not clear, the type of rapid weight loss that often accompanies the use of Ozempic can trigger hair loss. When you eat less, you may miss out on certain valuable nutrients that can affect hair growth.

That 2025 study isn’t the first time Ozempic has been linked to hair loss. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) had previously noted a trend of reports of alopecia among Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound and Wegovy users.

Hair loss is not currently listed as an official side effect on the labels of Ozempic or other GLP-1s.

The effects of Ozempic on your relationship with food may go beyond how your stomach digests it. People who take Ozempic have reported experiencing less “food noise,” where thoughts remain focused on food.

It may be easier to manage weight if you are not experiencing constant or even intrusive thoughts about food.

Drugs like Ozempic could also positively impact the way that your brain ages. A 2025 study evaluating patients with diabetes found that those using GLP-1 drugs may be at a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

Ozempic and other GLP-1s may increase your risk of a serious eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

NAION occurs when there is a reduction in blood flow to the optic nerve. It can lead to rapid and painless vision loss that is usually permanent.

A recent study presented to the American Academy of Ophthalmology determined that people using Ozempic for diabetes treatment could be 68.6 times more likely to develop NAION than patients using other treatment methods.

“The potential link between GLP-1 receptor agonists and NAION is something we’re taking seriously in the obesity medicine community,” Dr. Fernando Ovalle, an obesity medicine specialist, told Drugwatch. “While the overall risk appears to be small, I now screen more carefully for patients with risk factors such as pre-existing optic nerve problems, glaucoma, or significant diabetic retinopathy.”

Recent research also connects liraglutide, the active ingredient in Saxenda and Victoza, to similar concerns. Lawsuits are being filed by people who say they lost their vision after using these drugs.

In addition to vision loss concerns, the term “Ozempic eyes” also may refer to some of the aesthetic changes you might see when you use a GLP-1 drug and rapidly lose weight. The areas around the eyes could look a little different or potentially sunken as you lose fat.

“Ozempic Face” refers to the aesthetic effects GLP-1 usage may have on your face.

Losing fat from the face can make features like wrinkles more noticeable. The skin may also take on a sagging appearance, which can make parts of the face appear sunken.

Ozempic face is not an actual side effect or medical condition, but it’s a commonly reported aesthetic change among people taking GLP-1s.

“What people call ‘Ozempic face’ is really due to quick fat loss, not the medication damaging the skin,” Dr. Rashika Bansal, a board-certified endocrinologist and assistant professor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, told Drugwatch.

There are no simple or direct ways to avoid Ozempic face since it is a potential symptom of rapid weight loss. Focusing on the health of your skin while losing weight could be one way to make an impact.

“The solution isn’t stopping the treatment, but pairing it with gradual weight loss, hydration, protein intake, and sometimes dermatologic support,” Dr. Bansal said.

Vomiting can be an unfortunate yet common side effect of Ozempic. While unpleasant, this can also have a notable impact on your oral health, leading to “Ozempic teeth.”

When you vomit, your mouth is exposed to stomach acids. Over time, especially with regular or repetitive vomiting, stomach acids can weaken your teeth, making problems like erosion or decay more likely.

The look of your teeth could also change due to potential Ozempic side effects like dry mouth, which can worsen your chance of developing cavities and oral infections.

“Severe dry mouth isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s like leaving your teeth and gums unprotected,” Dr. Joseph Field, a San Francisco-based cosmetic dentist, told Drugwatch. “Plaque and bacteria build up faster, cavities and enamel erosion become a real threat, and gums can turn red, inflamed, and prone to infection. You might notice cracks, sensitivity, or even bad breath, because your natural saliva shield is missing.”

Data suggests that Ozempic could negatively impact your heart. Researchers at the University of Alberta conducted a study with lab mice showing that the use of Ozempic may shrink the size of the heart muscle.

These results were confirmed using cultured human heart cells.

During the time frame of the study, mice did not exhibit any overt short-term negative health impacts from the shrunken muscle. However, the study’s authors noted that long-term impacts could exist and that more research is likely needed.

On the flip side, use of GLP-1s could potentially decrease the risk of serious cardiac events like heart attack. A 2023 study found that patients with cardiovascular disease who were taking semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, had fewer cardiovascular-related deaths and fewer heart attacks.

Ozempic hasn’t been shown to have major impacts on your lungs in day-to-day use, but it may be dangerous if you need to undergo surgery. In 2024, the FDA updated Ozempic’s label to warn of a risk of pulmonary aspiration in patients who undergo procedures or surgeries requiring deep sedation or anesthesia.

Pulmonary aspiration, which researchers have referred to as “one of the most feared complications of sedation,” occurs when a patient inhales some of their stomach contents during an operation. It can lead to death, which is why patients are typically asked to fast before surgery.

Since GLP-1s slow the process of emptying food from the stomach, the normal fasting period before a surgery may not be enough to prevent the risk of pulmonary aspiration.

The FDA has noted that there is currently insufficient information to offer recommendations on how to lower this risk.

No part of your body may be more directly impacted and affected by the use of Ozempic than the stomach.

One of Ozempic’s functions is that it slows gastric emptying. This causes food to stay in your stomach longer and slows digestion, aiding in weight loss since you may not feel as hungry.

But sometimes these drugs may slow the process down too much. Research has shown that GLP-1s may increase your risk of gastroparesis, also known as stomach paralysis. This condition can lead to pain, nausea, bloating and vomiting of undigested food.

Similar to vision concerns, people who say they were impacted by gastroparesis are filing lawsuits against the makers of Ozempic, Mounjaro and other GLP-1 drugs.

Use of Ozempic has also been connected to ileus, where your intestines have difficulty pushing food through your digestive tract.

Other Ozempic stomach symptoms include pain, nausea and vomiting. These conditions may be at their worst early on.

“I’ve noticed that these symptoms occur when clients are first starting the medication or when increasing the dosage,” Mary J. Charlot, a family nurse practitioner, told Drugwatch. “I work together with clients to combat these symptoms by encouraging them to keep a food diary to determine what foods are more agreeable with their digestion while taking Ozempic/Wegovy.”

Research has shown that medications like Ozempic could be a viable treatment option if you have metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

MASH, which is also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver and damages organs. An international study found that GLP-1 use could improve the condition by stopping its progression and even reversing it.

The research revealed that 64% of patients had a reduction in liver inflammation, while 37% saw reduced or improved scarring. Liver scarring is very serious, with the potential to disrupt the organ’s functionality and potentially lead to liver failure.

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that patients who used GLP-1s for weight loss may be at higher risk of developing gallbladder diseases.

The risk may be greater for those using the drugs at higher doses or for longer stretches of time.

Common gallbladder diseases include gallstones and biliary disease. These conditions can be life-threatening.

“Rapid weight loss from any cause increases the risk of gallstone formation, and we do see higher rates of cholelithiasis and cholecystitis in patients on GLP-1 medications,” Dr. Ovalle said. “This is something we counsel patients about upfront.”

In addition to semaglutide’s use for treating diabetes and weight loss, it may also benefit the kidneys.

Earlier this year, the FDA approved Ozempic as the only GLP-1 drug that reduces the risk of worsening kidney disease. The drug was also found to reduce the risk of kidney failure.

This can be a particularly critical benefit since kidney disease is common among Type 2 diabetes patients who may be prescribed Ozempic.

“Ozempic butt” isn’t an actual side effect or medical condition. It simply refers to the cosmetic changes that may happen when you lose fat while taking a GLP-1 drug.

Physical changes associated with Ozempic include sagging skin and less padding in your buttocks, making it look deflated.

Ozempic butt remains an anecdotal phenomenon that some users have reported.

Rapid weight loss may cause the disappearance of fat in the feet, leaving skin that appears saggy while making veins and tendons more visible.

This also may be more than just an aesthetic concern. Loss of fat in your feet may make walking feel different and could lead to pain since there is less fat padding your steps.

Similar to Ozempic face and butt, Ozempic feet are largely anecdotal. It isn’t an official side effect of GLP-1s, and it’s not tied to a known health condition.

While there are many health issues or side effects linked to Ozempic, many are rare.

Understanding the difference between common side effects and rare health complications can help you make a more informed choice on whether you are comfortable taking a GLP-1 drug to help with weight loss or for diabetes treatment

Since Ozempic was first approved to treat diabetes in 2017, research has grown around the drug’s potential impacts on the body. Here is a timeline of when certain side effects and studies relating to the drug’s health impacts first emerged.