The injectable drug has taken the world by storm in terms of weight loss- but it’s not without its side effects.
‘Ozempic feet’ is the latest side effect of the drug(Image: Bea Vera via Getty Images)
Ozempic has boomed in popularity in recent years, as A-list celebs and public figures have shared their experience of weight loss while injecting the revolutionary drug.
But strange side effects of the injectable drug have emerged as Ozempic has surged in popularity. You may have heard of ‘Ozempic face’ this year, which is a name given to celebs who appear to have lost a large amount of weight very quickly, leaving their faces sullen and thin.
But a new side effect of the drug has reared its ugly head recently, reported The Standard. ‘Ozempic feet’, similar to ‘Ozempic face’, is caused by a sudden loss of body fat.
Dr Ross Perry, GP and medical director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, said: “Much like the face, the feet can experience sagging, wrinkling and a loss of the usual taut, smooth appearance due to a significant reduction in body fat.
“In more extreme cases, particularly in individuals who were previously overweight, this can even result in excess skin or folds developing around the feet.”
Ozempic is not marketed as a weight loss drug. It’s a prescription medication containing the active ingredient semaglutide, which is used primarily to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is currently available in the UK on the NHS but only for this condition.
Ozempic may have surged in popularity, but it doesn’t come without its strange side effects(Image: Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
The medication belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. While not marketed for weight loss, it has gained popularity and attention for its potential role in weight loss, which can be a side effect of the drug’s appetite-controlling abilities.
Headlines of celebrities and public figures who have publicly claimed to have used the drug for this include Amy Schumer, Oprah Winfrey and even Elon Musk.
The doctor went on to explain that ‘Ozempic feet’ can even cause a change in shoe size, because of the sudden loss of padding on the soles of the feet, or a change in bone structure once this padding is gone.
This phenomenon can cause discomfort and impact posture, and lead to a painful, burning sensation when walking or standing, explained the expert.
Ozempic can also effect the tendons and veins in the feet, making them more visible and causing users of the drug to appear older.
While it is not known exactly how common ‘Ozempic feet’ is with those who take the jab, professionals believe it may be underdiagnosed, as people are less likely to see or scrutinise the appearance of someone’s feet as much as the appearance of the face or neck, as is seen with ‘Ozempic face’.
It is also less likely for individuals to make the connection between changes in their feet and the fact that they are taking Ozempic, doctors said.
Ozempic’s official website does not list either of these as official side effects of the medication. It states that the most common symptoms are nausea, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain, vomiting and constipation.
Medical professionals advise that if you are taking Wegovy or Ozempic and notice any pain or numbness in the feet, or any rashes or sores, you should seek medical help.
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