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What to expect when starting Ozempic®

By

Editorial Team

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March 3, 2025

A woman at home taking her blood pressure, emphasizing the importance of monitoring other health conditions, like high blood pressure, before starting Ozempic® to ensure safe and effective treatment.

Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP

Summary:

  • Before prescribing Ozempic® to you, your healthcare provider will assess your medical history, including whether you have any conditions, like diabetes, heart disease, or kidney problems.
  • Ask about common side effects, proper dosage, and how to administer the injection to ensure a smooth start.
  • Your provider will also help you establish a plan for follow-up appointments and lab tests to track progress and adjust your treatment if necessary.
  • For best results while using Ozempic®, discuss realistic weight loss goals with your provider before starting. You may also want to discuss how to support your medication with dietary changes and physical activity.
  • Learning how to manage your blood sugar levels with Ozempic® can help you enjoy a smoother experience with this medication. Tracking A1C can help you understand how much sugar is in your bloodstream.

Starting Ozempic® can come with a lot of changes, including weight loss—so it requires careful planning and supervision from your medical provider. Ozempic® is a branded form of semaglutide that is used primarily in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but it may also be prescribed off-label for weight loss under medical supervision.

Below, Lemonaid Health helps you understand what to expect when taking Ozempic® for the first time. We’ll walk you through what to expect during your initial consultation, explain what typically happens as your system adjusts to the medication, and help you understand what to expect if you continue taking it long-term.

What to discuss at your initial consultation

If you are thinking about taking Ozempic®, your initial consultation with your healthcare provider is an important step in the journey ahead. Your healthcare provider will take an in-depth look at your medical history to ensure that starting Ozempic® is a safe and effective option.

During your consultation, make sure to disclose any of the following conditions to your healthcare provider if you have them:

  • Problems with your pancreas or kidneys
  • A history of diabetic retinopathy
  • Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant
  • Whether you are breastfeeding or are planning to start breastfeeding

You should also tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements as OZEMPIC® can affect the way some medicines work and vice versa.

Remember, Ozempic® is only prescribed off-label for weight-loss under medical supervision—so it is important to check in with your healthcare provider regularly if this medication is prescribed to you. Always follow your healthcare provider’s directions if they prescribe Ozempic® to you.

What happens in the first few weeks on Ozempic®?

During the first few weeks on Ozempic®, you will be on a low dose starting at 0.25 mg to help your body adjust to the changes. When starting on the lower dose, patients have reported side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and constipation. These side effects are manageable and generally clear up with time, but if they worsen, you should consult your healthcare provider.

Your blood sugar might change

Healthcare providers often use A1C lab tests to assess how well Ozempic® is working. However, this test measures the effectiveness of treatment for managing Type 2 diabetes, not weight loss.

As Ozempic® is designed to help control blood sugar levels, it is important to have your A1C levels checked during treatment. Checking your A1C helps your healthcare provider see if your blood sugar levels are trending in the right direction.

You might experience side effects

Ozempic® can have a range of different side effects, which can be concerning if you’re taking this medication for the first time. We’ve provided some information on how to manage the most likely ones below so that you and your healthcare provider can be prepared.

Tips for dealing with side effects when starting Ozempic®

Here are some strategies you can use to manage the side effects that you are most likely to experience when starting Ozempic®. Most of these side effects are gastrointestinal, but we’ve also covered a few others.

Gastrointestinal side effects

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation are the most frequently reported side effects of Ozempic®. You may want to try these general tips to help manage gastrointestinal side effects while taking this medication:

  • Eat slowly and only if you are particularly hungry
  • Eat smaller portions
  • Stop eating at first sign of fullness
  • Increase meal frequency
  • Avoid drinking with a straw
  • Don’t lie down after meals
  • Try not to be too active after meals
  • Don’t eat too close to bedtime

You can also find specific tips for dealing with each different gastrointestinal side effect below.

Nausea

If 30 minutes have passed since your dose and you are still feeling nauseated, eat foods such as crackers, apples, mint, ginger root, or ginger-based drinks to help combat the symptoms of nausea. Avoid strong smells, as this can make the feeling of nausea worse.

Vomiting or diarrhea 

In terms of vomiting, be particularly careful with hydration, and eat smaller meals more frequently. 

For diarrhea, eat foods like chicken broth, rice, carrots, and very ripe fruit without the skin, and take steps to avoid the following:

  • Isotonic drinks (ie. sports drinks)
  • Dairy products
  • Coffee
  • Alcohol and soft drinks
  • Products with sweeteners ending in “ol” (sorbitol, mannitol etc.), including gum and candy
  • Foods with high fiber content

Constipation

If you’re noticing constipation, increase your physical activity and drink generous amounts of water. Maintain an adequate amount of fiber in your meals, alongside a healthy and balanced diet.

Injection site reactions

Ozempic® is a medication that you inject underneath the skin once a week. To help prevent mild reactions in the surrounding area, be sure to rotate the site of the injection each week. 

There may be some pain or a rash at the injection site. Contact your healthcare provider if you have a reaction or pain that won’t go away.

When to contact your healthcare provider about side effects

As noted above, taking Ozempic® can also come with a risk of serious side effects. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any the following:

  • Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis)
  • Changes in vision
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Dehydration leading to kidney problems
  • Severe stomach problems that won’t go away
  • Severe vomiting
  • Serious allergic reactions, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Gallbladder issues

These side effects require immediate attention. Stop taking Ozempic® if you experience them, and don’t wait to contact your healthcare provider.

Learn More: The ultimate guide to Ozempic®: uses, benefits, side effects & more

Lifestyle & dietary changes to consider

Ozempic® works by slowing the rate of digestion, so it takes longer for food to leave the stomach. Your meal-plan should include a reduced-calorie diet, as well as following any advice given to you by your healthcare provider. A balanced diet and a healthy dose of exercise are often recommended alongside Ozempic®.

Be sure to discuss any new physical activity options with your healthcare provider as well, especially if you have diabetes. Exercise can have an impact on your blood sugar levels, so you may need to have your blood or urine levels checked more regularly.

The effectiveness of Ozempic® over time 

Although Ozempic® is specifically intended for Type 2 diabetes treatment, semaglutide has been shown to be effective for weight loss as well—and these effects can be long-term.

In one study, researchers found that taking semaglutide resulted in an average weight loss of 10% with a reduction of more than 2.7 inches in waistline measurements over a period of four years.

In another study involving patients with overweight or obesity, total body weight loss averaged 5.9% at 3 months and 10.9% at 6 months.

We’ve written elsewhere about how medication like Ozempic® can support your health goals. Learn what you need to know about prescription weight loss medication here.

Know what to expect when starting Ozempic® with support from Lemonaid Health

Starting Ozempic® is a decision you should make with a healthcare provider, and understanding what to expect in your first few weeks can help you prepare. Knowing the likely side effects and how to mitigate them can help set you up for success and allow you to enjoy better long-term treatment outcomes.

Lemonaid Health is here to support you. Schedule an online consultation with one of our US-based healthcare providers to get answers to your questions about Ozempic® and explore how it may fit into your health journey.

Ozempic® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.

  1. Magda Sara Wojtara, Mazumder, A., Syeda, Y., & Nikodem Mozgała. (2023). Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Chronic Weight Management. Advances in Medicine, 2023, 1–7. Accessed February 13 2025 at https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/9946924
  2. HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. (n.d.). Accessed February 13 2025 at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/209637s020s021lbl.pdf
  3. Dosing Schedule | Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection 0.5 mg or 1 mg. (n.d.). Www.ozempic.com. Accessed February 13 2025 at https://www.ozempic.com/how-to-take/ozempic-dosing.html
  4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018). The A1C Test & Diabetes | NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Accessed February 13 2025 at https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/a1c-test
  5. Gorgojo-Martínez, J. J., Mezquita-Raya, P., Carretero-Gómez, J., Castro, A., Cebrián-Cuenca, A., de Torres-Sánchez, A., García-de-Lucas, M. D., Núñez, J., Obaya, J. C., Soler, M. J., Górriz, J. L., & Rubio-Herrera, M. Á. (2023). Clinical Recommendations to Manage Gastrointestinal Adverse Events in Patients Treated with Glp-1 Receptor Agonists: A Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(1), 145. Accessed February 13 2025 at https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12010145
  6. About the Ozempic® Pen | Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection 0.5 mg or 1 mg. (n.d.). Www.ozempic.com. Accessed February 13 2025 at https://www.ozempic.com/how-to-take/ozempic-pen.html
  7. Hearn, E. B., & Sherman, J. J. (2020). Injection-Site Nodules Associated With Once-Weekly Subcutaneous Administration of Semaglutide. Diabetes Spectrum, 34(1), 73–75. Accessed February 13 2025 at https://doi.org/10.2337/ds20-0033
  8. Ozempic® Side Effects | Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection 0.5 mg or 1 mg. (2023, August). Www.ozempic.com. Accessed February 13 2025 at https://www.ozempic.com/how-to-take/side-effects.html
  9. Chao, A. M., Tronieri, J. S., Amaro, A., & Wadden, T. A. (2022). Clinical Insight on Semaglutide for Chronic Weight Management in Adults: Patient Selection and Special Considerations. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, Volume 16, 4449–4461. Accessed February 13 2025 at https://doi.org/10.2147/dddt.s365416
  10. American Diabetes Association. (2024). Why Does Exercise Sometimes Raise Blood Glucose | ADA. Diabetes.org. Accessed February 13 2025 at https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/fitness/why-does-exercise-sometimes-raise-blood-sugar
  11. Ryan, D. H., Lingvay, I., Deanfield, J., Kahn, S. E., Barros, E., Burguera, B., Colhoun, H. M., Cercato, C., Dicker, D., Horn, D. B., Hovingh, G. K., Jeppesen, O. K., Kokkinos, A., Lincoff, A. M., Meyhöfer, S. M., Oral, T. K., Plutzky, J., van Beek, A. P., Wilding, J. P. H., & Kushner, R. F. (2024). Long-term weight loss effects of semaglutide in obesity without diabetes in the SELECT trial. Nature Medicine, 30, 1–9. Accessed February 13 2025 at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-02996-7
  12. Ghusn, W., De la Rosa, A., Sacoto, D., Cifuentes, L., Campos, A., Feris, F., Hurtado, M. D., & Acosta, A. (2022). Weight Loss Outcomes Associated With Semaglutide Treatment for Patients With Overweight or Obesity. JAMA Network Open, 5(9), e2231982. Accessed February 13 2025 at https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31982

By

Editorial Team

|

March 3, 2025

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.

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