Can You Take Ozempic If You Have High Blood Pressure?

Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable medication that’s FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes. It works by helping the body release more insulin, which keeps blood sugar levels in a healthy range. 

Many people who live with diabetes also have other medical conditions, like high blood pressure and heart disease. You may be wondering if Ozempic is safe to take if you have other medical conditions or take other medications. Here’s what you should know about taking Ozempic if you have high blood pressure. 

Is it safe to take Ozempic if you have high blood pressure?

Yes, it’s safe to take Ozempic (semaglutide) if you have high blood pressure (hypertension). 

In fact, research suggests that semaglutide can help lower blood pressure.One review of studies found that people who took Ozempic noticed a 5 mmHg decrease in their systolic blood pressure (top number) on average. Other studies also found that semaglutide lowered people’s blood pressure and improved other factors that affect heart health. 

There’s also evidence that semaglutide can improve your overall heart health. In a clinical trial, people with diabetes who took semaglutide were less likely to experience strokes and heart attacks than those treated with a placebo (no medication). This led to the FDA approving Ozempic for lowering the risk of serious cardiovascular events in people with diabetes and known heart disease. 

So if you have diabetes and heart disease, Ozempic can help treat both conditions. And it may lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. 

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Researchers are still learning more about semaglutide. For example, semaglutide helps heart health by lowering:

• Blood sugar levels

• Body weight

• Inflammation

• Blood clotting (clumping)

• Cholesterol levels

What’s clear is that semaglutide affects many processes in the body that play a role in heart health. 

When shouldn’t you take Ozempic if you have high blood pressure?

Most people with high blood pressure and diabetes can safely take Ozempic. But Ozempic can cause side effects. These side effects may make it unsafe for you to continue taking Ozempic.

Hypoglycemia

Ozempic can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This is rare but can happen if you’re taking other diabetes medications that also lower your blood sugar levels, like insulin. You may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely when you start taking Ozempic. Call your healthcare team right away if you notice lower blood sugar levels than usual. Your team may ask you to make changes in your medication to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range. 

Dehydration

Ozempic can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These side effects can lead to dehydration, which can impact your health. Call your healthcare team right away if you are: 

• Unable to keep food or fluids down

• Urinating less often

• Feel dizzy or lightheaded

Your team may ask you to change your Ozempic dosage or start treatment for dehydration. 

Anesthesia

The American Academy of Anesthesiology recommends stopping Ozempic 1 week before surgery. This is because Ozempic slows digestion, which can increase the risk of aspiration (choking) surgery. Surgery also causes stress on the body, which can lead to changes in blood sugars and blood pressures. 

Let your healthcare team know if you’re having surgery or a medical procedure that requires anesthesia. They may ask you to switch to other medications that are safer to use before anesthesia.

Can you take Ozempic if you’re taking medication for high blood pressure?

Yes, you can take Ozempic if you’re taking medication to treat high blood pressure. But you may need to switch your medication or change your dosage. 

Dosage changes

Ozempic can cause weight loss and affect your heart health in many ways. Over time, your blood pressure may improve while you’re taking Ozempic. You might not need to take as much medication to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. Keep a close eye on your blood pressure while you’re taking Ozempic. Call your healthcare team if you notice lower than usual blood pressure readings. This can be a sign that you need to lower your blood pressure medication. 

Medication changes

Some blood pressure medications, like beta blockers and clonidine, can affect how your blood responds to low blood sugar levels. 

Other blood pressure medications like diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone) can increase blood sugar levels. 

Your healthcare team may ask you to keep a closer eye on your blood sugar levels if you’re taking one of these medications and Ozempic. They may also ask you to switch to a different class of blood pressure medication that doesn’t affect blood sugar. 

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Written by:

Amy Walsh, MD, MDP

I have worked as an emergency physician for 15 years, including care at both rural hospitals and trauma centers. I am the former Global Emergency Medicine fellowship director at Health Partners.

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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