Does Ozempic Have Different Side Effects On Women And Men?

Ozempic (semaglutide) has become a widely used prescription medication for managing blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes and reducing cardiovascular risks. Its off-label use for weight loss has further increased its popularity. However, discussions around its potential side effects—particularly whether they affect females more than males—have raised important questions.

While clinical studies suggest that side effects are generally similar across sexes, some evidence points to a higher prevalence of certain reactions in women as compared to men.

Ozempic belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Commonly reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and abdominal pain. A 2022 study involving semaglutide found that 36.6% of participants experienced nausea and vomiting, while 8.6% reported diarrhea. Notably, a majority (75%) of participants in this study were female, highlighting the importance of examining gender-related differences in drug reactions.

In another study evaluating Ozempic’s effectiveness for weight loss, side effects like constipation, indigestion, and gas were reported more frequently in participants using the drug than in those receiving a placebo. Again, females represented about 80% of the participants, raising questions about whether the higher prevalence of side effects could be tied to gender-specific factors.

Research on other GLP-1 receptor agonists has suggested that females may report side effects more frequently than males. For instance, a South Korean study in 2020 found that females using GLP-1 drugs experienced gastrointestinal issues, headaches, and dizziness at significantly higher rates than males. This could be partially attributed to females' generally higher likelihood of gastrointestinal conditions, which may make them more susceptible to related side effects.

Another possible explanation lies in hormonal differences. Some evidence suggests that weight loss induced by GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic may be more pronounced in females, potentially contributing to side effects such as "Ozempic face," a term describing sagging or gauntness from rapid weight loss.

There is limited data on Ozempic’s safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Animal studies indicate potential risks to the fetus, prompting doctors to recommend discontinuing the drug at least two months before conception. More research is needed to understand its effects on pregnant or breastfeeding individuals fully.

Long-Term Side Effects

Long-term use of Ozempic has been associated with rare but serious side effects, including pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, and a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer. It remains unclear whether these risks are more common in females.

Ozempic is a type of Semglutide which in turn, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This drug is a synthetic version of GLP-1—a natural hormone produced in the intestines that regulates blood sugar, appetite, and digestion. Now, every time you eat, your body produces various hormones, including GLP-1. These are called post-nutrition hormones, and help you absorb the energy you just consumed. GLP-1 travels to your pancreas, prompting it to produce insulin. It also travels to the hypothalamus in your brain, which gives you the feeling of being full or satiated. Ozempic imitates this hormone, thereby, silencing the food chatter in the brain. Interestingly, for some people this food chatter is really quiet ( people with low appetite) and for others, it is an outburst, (people who generally binge eat.) So with Ozempic, silencing this self-talk in the brain, people tend to lose their appetite and eventually weight.