If you take too much Ozempic, it can cause severe side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can be fatal if you are also taking insulin.
Ozempic is in a class of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs lower blood sugar by making food move out of your stomach more slowly and helping your pancreas release insulin more quickly after a meal.
Severe allergic reactions
Taking more than the recommended dose of Ozempic can cause severe allergic reactions. These can include swelling of the face, lips or throat; trouble breathing; or a fast heartbeat. If you have these symptoms, call your doctor right away.
These side effects are more common in children than adults. Talk with your doctor if you have these symptoms or other side effects of Ozempic.
Some people who take Ozempic may have kidney problems. These are rare, but they can occur if you have diabetes or another medical problem. It isn’t clear why these problems happen.
You should stop using Ozempic and call your doctor if you have a pain in the stomach area (abdomen) that won’t go away, with or without vomiting. This is called pancreatitis.
You should also tell your doctor if you have a thyroid condition, including multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 or medullary thyroid cancer. This medicine can increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
Sudden changes in vision
In a few cases, people who have taken too much ozempic experience sudden changes in their vision. This is due to the effects of the drug on blood sugar levels, which can cause damage to the small blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye).
The best way to prevent this type of change from occurring is to make sure you follow the instructions your doctor gives you to take Ozempic. This includes making sure to use the medication exactly as directed, and reading all instructions and medication guides carefully.
There are also a few other side effects to watch for when taking ozempic. One is an inflammation of the pancreas called acute pancreatitis. This is a very common side effect and usually goes away on its own after a few days.
Severe pain in the stomach area (abdomen) that won’t go away
Abdominal pain is any discomfort or pressure in your stomach area, between your ribs and your pelvis. It can be from any of the organs in your digestive system – your stomach, intestines, pancreas and liver – or from the skin and muscles around them.
When you get abdominal pain, your healthcare provider will ask you a lot of questions to find out what’s causing it. You might be asked how severe it is, whether it feels burning, achy or sharp, whether it’s localized or generalized (in one spot or all over), and if it’s constant or in waves.
Often, your doctor can figure out what’s causing your pain by running tests on your blood or urine and checking your stool (stool testing). If your pain is related to gastrointestinal diseases, like peptic ulcers or heartburn from gastroesophageal reflux disease, it might be treated with medications. Other conditions that cause abdominal pain include bile duct cancer, gallstones and kidney stones.
Severe headache
An overdose of ozempic may cause severe headaches. This is a rare but serious side effect and may be life-threatening. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Ozempic has a boxed warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about this side effect. It also has a warning about kidney problems and diabetic retinopathy.
It’s important to store this medication properly at room temperature (68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit) and dispose of it correctly with the needle covered in a garbage can away from children.
This medication can be fatal to children if they accidentally swallow it. It should be used by adults only.
If you’re pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking Ozempic. This drug can pass into your breast milk, which could harm a developing fetus.
The most common side effects of Ozempic are mild. They usually go away in a few days or weeks. But you should still talk with your doctor if you experience severe side effects.