The Buzz on ‘Ozempic Face’: What You Need to Know

July 8, 2024 Divya Stuti

Ozempic is a prescription medicine used to treat Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. This drug has gone viral as a weight loss medication. Ozempic Face is the term for the common side effects of Ozempic. It can cause aging and sagging of facial skin.

Ozempic is very quick and effective and helps people lose weight. This means that facial changes are quite noticeable after taking this medicine. However, this medicine also has some other side effects that are important to know. Knowing what to do to prevent the side effects and when to see a doctor are also essential.

What is Ozempic?

Novo Nordisk manufactures Ozempic. It is a medicine that’s used for treating Type 2 Diabetes in adults. Ozempic’s generic name is Semaglutide. It’s part of a class of medications called incretin mimetics. This helps ensure that the pancreas releases enough insulin when the blood glucose level is high.

This medicine doesn’t have FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval for managing weight. However, doctors prescribe this medication off-label for chronic weight management to individuals who are obese or overweight.

This medicine is available as an injectable pen. Doctors recommend injecting it under the skin of the abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. It’s important to note that this medication should be used once per week and on the same day. Ozempic makes an individual feel fuller and pauses gastric emptying. It helps them to consume fewer calories than normal.

However, many people take this medicine without consulting their doctor. This medicine is taken to achieve the desired body weight that causes Ozempic face. Dr Paul Jarrod Frank is a cosmetic and celebrity dermatologist. He has given this term after treating many people with similar symptoms.

What Does Ozempic Do To Your Face?

Ozempic is safe to use with a doctor’s prescription. It can cause quick weight loss that mainly affects the face. Facial fats play an important role in protecting the elasticity and beauty of the face.

Weight loss can cause shrinking and dermatological changes. This usually happens because the fat that protects and stretches is no longer in place. After rapid weight loss episodes, the skin of the face can no longer maintain itself. There are decreased levels of collagen and elastin that affect the face.

Symptoms of Ozempic Face

There are many Ozempic face side effects and symptoms, including the following:

Increased wrinkles and lines around the eyes, forehead, and mouth.
Depressed eyes or dark circles under the eye.
Hollowed or fleshless temples or cheekbones.
Saggy chin and skin around the jawline.

What are the Common Side Effects of Ozempic?

Ozempic is safe when taken as prescribed by your healthcare provider. However, if not taken properly, it also has some side effects, from mild to severe. The common side effects are as follows:

Stomach ache
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Injection-site reaction, including swelling, itching, pain, and more.
Constipation
Flatulence (formation of gas in the digestive system)
Fatigue

In rare cases, individuals can also experience some serious side effects, including:

Kidney problems
Serious allergic reactions
Vision changes
Higher risk of thyroid cancer.
Gall bladder disease
Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

What Happens After Stopping Ozempic?

If an individual decides to stop taking Ozempic, it will take about five weeks from the last dose for the medicine to clear from their body. According to a 2022 study, there were major changes. The changes included body weight and metabolic risks among 1962 participants after one year of semaglutide treatment. They also found that stopping this medication can cause an individual to regain the lost weight again.

After stopping Ozempic, a person may also notice the following changes in his/her body:

Zero side effects.
Increased cravings.
Blood sugar increases.

How to Prevent Ozempic Face?

If someone takes it as a prescription medication, the facial side effects can’t be prevented. However, if they’re a cause for concern, your doctor might recommend any of the following:

Protein intake with a high-protein diet.
Reducing the medication dosage.
Drinking 1-2 litres of water a day.
Changing to another medication.
Lifestyle changes for a healthy weight.
Using dermatological fillers.

When to Consult a Doctor?

It’s important to consult your doctor if you’re experiencing any severe side effects. Explain your symptoms clearly to your doctor. This medication comes with a boxed caution for thyroid cancer risks. Several studies have also revealed that it has caused thyroid cancer in animal trials. However, scientists are unclear if it increases the risk in humans or not.

Still, if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately:

Pain or a lump in the neck.
Difficulty in breathing.
Shortness of breath.
Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
Hoarse Voice (rough and low voice that worsens over time).

In a Nutshell

Ozempic is a medication used to treat people with type-2 diabetes. The FDA has not approved this drug, but doctors may prescribe it as an off-label medicine for weight management. It can cause weight loss very quickly, affecting the face that some call Ozempic Face.

According to health experts, this medication should only be taken if a doctor has prescribed it. There are some common and serious side effects after taking this medicine. However, if you consult with your doctor, then the side effects can also be prevented.

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