Ozempic is a medication in the class of glucagon-like peptide-1s receptor agonists (GLP-1s). It’s used as an adjunct therapy to support weight loss and metabolic health.
Because of its blood sugar-balancing effects, Ozempic can interact with some medications. That’s why it’s important to share your current medication list with your doctor and pharmacist.
1. Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a group of drugs that are used to treat anxiety and sleep problems. They work by causing you to feel relaxed and calm. However, they can cause serious side effects if you take too much or use them wrongly. Taking them along with other drugs, such as alcohol, is dangerous and may cause overdose.
They are also addictive, and can cause a complication called benzodiazepine use disorder. This is a condition that affects people who have been using benzodiazepines for a long time.
These medicines are usually taken by mouth (in a capsule, tablet, or liquid form). They come in many different strengths and lengths of action.
Some are short-acting and last for a few hours, while others are longer-acting and last days or even weeks. The strength and duration of action depend on the type of benzodiazepine and what you’re taking it for.
You should not take this medication if you have kidney failure, heart disease, or liver or thyroid problems. You should also avoid this drug if you have a history of thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Ozempic is an oral medicine that works by helping your body move sugar out of the blood and into other body tissues where it can be used for energy. It also helps reduce appetite and increase fullness, which can help you eat less food. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions for a reduced diet while you’re taking it.
You should also not take ozempic with other oral medications, because it may make them less effective. It’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to Ozempic. This could result in low blood sugar, headaches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It can also lead to more severe side effects, such as high blood pressure or a stroke.
2. Medications for high blood pressure
Ozempic is a medication that can help lower blood sugar and reduce your risk of getting serious health problems, such as heart disease. It’s a once-weekly medicine that contains semaglutide, a type of long-acting GLP-1 drug.
Ozempic also helps improve your body’s ability to use insulin. This makes it easier for your body to get energy from the food you eat, which can help control your blood sugar levels.
But it’s important to note that it’s not always possible to control your blood sugar without using other medications, such as diet and exercise. And taking certain drugs with ozempic can cause serious side effects.
Your doctor will tell you which medicines you should take with ozempic, and which you should avoid. For example, if you are taking certain medications for high blood pressure or seizures, it’s best to take them at least one hour before taking Ozempic.
It’s also best to not take any medication that treats autoimmune conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, when you’re taking Ozempic. These drugs can cause your body to stop making enough of the thyroid hormone called levothyroxine, which can increase your risk of getting thyroid cancer.
Taking Ozempic with other medications can also cause your blood sugar to be too low, which can be dangerous or even life-threatening. This is why your doctor may suggest monitoring your blood sugar more often while you’re taking ozempic.
You should also tell your doctor if you have kidney or pancreas problems, including conditions that could worsen if you take Ozempic. This can help your doctor decide whether the drug is right for you and if it will cause any side effects.
3. Medications for seizures
Taking certain medications with ozempic may make them less effective or cause side effects. These drugs include certain benzodiazepines, some antidepressants, and a few antipsychotics. It’s also important to tell your doctor about any supplements, herbs, or vitamins you take.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It’s also sometimes prescribed to help people with obesity lose weight in combination with diet and exercise.
It can interact with certain medications, including phenytoin (Dilantin). It also can cause some oral medicines to work less well or not at all. Talk to your doctor about this and other potential drug interactions.
A number of medications can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If you use Ozempic with these drugs, it’s important to watch for signs and symptoms of low blood sugar. The main ones are shakiness, sweating, and fast heart beat. If these symptoms happen, stop using Ozempic and call your doctor right away.
If you have a kidney problem, Ozempic may worsen it. Your doctor can monitor your kidney health closely while you’re taking the medication. They’ll usually recommend stopping treatment with Ozempic if your kidney health worsens.
The drug can cause serious allergic reactions. These allergic reactions are rare but can be serious. Get emergency medical help if you have any of the following symptoms: swelling around your face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; severe rash or itching; or very fast heartbeat.
You should also avoid alcohol while you’re taking ozempic. Drinking too much alcohol can make it harder for your body to manage your blood sugar.
Besides being a risk factor for seizures, drinking can also affect how well other medications work. It’s best to avoid alcohol altogether, but if you need to consume it, limit the amount and talk with your doctor about how much is safe for you.
4. Medications for depression
When it comes to treatment for depression, there are many different drugs that can be used. Some of these are called antidepressants, and they can help reduce your symptoms. However, you may need to try more than one medication before you find the right one for you.
Choosing an antidepressant involves understanding how each medication works. You’ll also want to consider your health and other factors.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine, have been shown to be effective for most people. But older antidepressants, such as tricyclics and tetracyclics, often work better for some people.
Older antidepressants can cause a variety of side effects, including sleep problems and muscle pain. This is why newer medications are more likely to be tolerated.
If you are currently taking an oral medication, such as a diabetes medicine, it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider before switching to Ozempic. He or she may recommend changing the way you take your doses or switching to a drug that’s less likely to interact with Ozempic.
Another important thing to know is that Ozempic may not be safe to use if you have or are planning to become pregnant. It’s not known if it will harm a fetus, but animal studies have suggested that it can.
There are several other types of diabetes medications that are effective for treating diabetes and obesity. These include Wegovy and Victoza. Medications like these can help control blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. They can also reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other complications of type 2 diabetes.
5. Medications for anxiety
Ozempic is a prescription medication that helps control your blood sugar levels. It also helps you lose weight. It works by slowing the passage of food from your stomach to your intestines. This reduces your appetite and increases fullness, making it easier to stick with a reduced diet.
Your doctor will prescribe a lower dose to start and gradually increase it over several weeks. Taking Ozempic too quickly can make it harder for your body to adjust. Your doctor will also tell you how to manage side effects, such as bloating or nausea.
If you have an allergy to any of the ingredients in Ozempic, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor can prescribe a different drug that will work better for you.
This medication can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in people who are taking it with insulin or sulfonylurea-type diabetes medications. To avoid this effect, monitor your blood sugar and work with your doctor to reduce your insulin or sulfonylurea dosage if needed.
You should not use this medication if you have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer. In studies, medicines like Ozempic caused thyroid tumors in animals. The risk of developing thyroid cancer in people may be higher if you have a condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
You should not take Ozempic if you have ever had pancreatitis or other inflammation of the pancreas. Symptoms of pancreatitis include pain in your upper abdomen, yellowing of your skin or eyes, and fever. You should call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of pancreatitis while taking this medication.