Can You Take Ozempic If You’re Sick With COVID?

Getting sick with COVID-19 is never easy, even if you only have mild symptoms. If you’re one of the millions of adults taking Ozempic, you may wonder if you can continue taking it while you’re sick with COVID. And you’re right to be concerned.

The COVID virus can affect many parts of your body. This can affect how you respond to your usual medications, including Ozempic. It’s also important to check that your regular medications won’t interact with COVID treatments, like Paxlovid or Lagevrio. 

Here’s everything you need to know about taking Ozempic while you’re sick with COVID.

Can you take Ozempic if you have COVID-19?

It’s safe to take your usual Ozempic dose if you have a mild or moderate COVID illness.

When you’re sick with COVID, your body creates inflammation as part of its defense response. The inflammatory response can affect how your body performs its usual functions. For example, your liver might have a harder time processing medications because of high inflammation levels. 

But Ozempic is only partially metabolized by your liver. So, it’s unlikely that inflammation from a COVID infection will affect how your body processes it. Ozempic shouldn’t build up in your system when you’re sick with COVID. 

If you’re prescribed medication for COVID, talk to your healthcare team. Ozempic can interact with some medications. Your team can make sure it’s safe for you to take Ozempic and COVID medications at the same time.

When should you not use Ozempic?

You may need to stop taking Ozempic if you have a severe COVID illness. A severe COVID illness can impact your heart, lungs, and other parts of your body.

Many people with severe COVID illness need treatment in the hospital and may need breathing support. It may not be safe to continue using Ozempic if you need breathing support. The hospital care team will decide whether it’s safe to continue taking Ozempic while you’re in the hospital. And they’ll use other medications to make sure your diabetes remains under good control while you’re being treated for COVID.

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• There’s no such thing as an “Ozempic diet.” But avoiding certain foods can lessen Ozempic side effects and help the medication work better.

What symptoms should you watch out for if you have COVID-19 and take Ozempic?

Ozempic can cause several side effects, mainly related to your gut. People commonly report side effects like nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and constipation while taking Ozempic.

A COVID infection can also cause many of these gut symptoms. So, it’s possible that these Ozempic side effects may get worse while you’re sick with COVID. 

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir) is a treatment for COVID illness. Paxlovid can also cause side effects that include diarrhea. If you already have diarrhea from Ozempic, it may worsen with Paxlovid.

Call your care team right away if you develop worsening symptoms or have trouble eating and keeping down fluids.

Difficulty eating and drinking can lead to dehydration or hypoglycemia, which can be dangerous for your health. Your care team may offer additional treatments to prevent these conditions. They may also adjust your medications to lower your risk of developing dehydration or hypoglycemia.

But don’t stop taking Ozempic or change your dose without first talking with your healthcare team.

Can you take Ozempic if you’re taking medication for COVID? 

You may be able to continue taking Ozempic if you’re taking medication for your COVID infection. But you’ll want to discuss this with your care team first.

For example, Paxlovid can affect your blood glucose levels. So, your care team may ask you to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely if you’re taking Paxlovid.

Other over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for COVID may also impact how well Ozempic works. These medications may also worsen any Ozempic-related side effects. Your care team can help you determine which medications are safe to use while you’re sick with COVID. They can also adjust your diabetes medications, including Ozempic. 

Can you take Ozempic if you’re getting a COVID vaccine?

It’s safe to continue taking Ozempic if you’re getting a COVID vaccine. Ozempic won’t affect how well the COVID vaccine works. And the vaccine shouldn’t worsen any side effects related to Ozempic. 

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Written by:

Meredith Grace Merkley, DO, FAAP

Meredith Grace Merkley, DO, FAAP, is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with over a decade of work in community health. She serves as the medical director of a school-based health clinic at a federally funded health center.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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