Can You Take Ozempic If You Have Epilepsy?

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a weekly injectable medication that’s FDA-approved to treat Type 2 diabetes. Wegovy, which also contains semaglutide, is approved to treat additional medical conditions. These medications can help you stay healthy. But starting a new medication can be tricky if you’re already taking other long-term medications. 

This is especially a concern for people living with epilepsy, who need to make sure their anti-seizure medication levels stay within a safe range. The good news is that most people who take seizure medications can also safely take Ozempic. Here’s what to know if you’re living with epilepsy and are considering taking Ozempic. 

Is it safe to take Ozempic if you have epilepsy?

Most people with epilepsy can safely take Ozempic. 

Ozempic is a new medication, and we’re still learning about it. The makers of Ozempic don’t list epilepsy, seizure disorders, or a history of seizures as contraindications to taking the medication. A contraindication is anything — like a medical condition — that makes it unsafe for someone to take a certain medication. 

There’s also no evidence that Ozempic interacts with any seizure medications. A medication interaction is a situation where one medication stops the other from working properly. 

But this could change over time as more people take semaglutide and new information becomes available. 

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Does Ozempic increase the risk of having a seizure?

There’s no evidence that Ozempic increases your risk of having a seizure. In fact, research suggests people who take Ozempic may have a lower risk of developing seizures and epilepsy later in life. 

But side effects from Ozempic may increase the risk of having a seizure if you have epilepsy. Below are two examples.

1. Ozempic’s digestion side effects can affect your medication levels

Ozempic slows how quickly your stomach empties after you eat. It can also cause side effects like vomiting and constipation. These things can affect how well your body absorbs seizure medication. 

Your body’s ability to absorb seizure medications is critical to staying seizure-free. If your body doesn’t absorb enough medication, you may have a seizure, even if you’re taking your seizure medication as directed. As a result, you may need to increase your dose to stay seizure-free.

On the other hand, you can develop serious side effects if your body absorbs too much seizure medication. This can happen if you experience weight loss while taking Ozempic. Weight changes can impact how much medication you need to keep epilepsy under control. If you lose weight, you may need to lower your medication doses. 

2. Ozempic can cause things that can trigger a seizure

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can also lead to dehydration. You can experience any or all of these symptoms while taking Ozempic. Dehydration is a concern because it increases your risk of having a seizure. 

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Ozempic can trigger hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This is rare but may occur if you’re taking insulin or sulfonylureas along with Ozempic. Hypoglycemia can trigger seizures.

When shouldn’t you take Ozempic if you have epilepsy?

There are a few situations where you might not want to take Ozempic if you have epilepsy.

You haven’t found the right anti-seizure medication plan

Some people with epilepsy have ongoing seizures and haven’t found the right medications to stop them. You might not want to start taking Ozempic until you find the right seizure treatment plan. Ozempic may affect your digestion and medication absorption, which can make it more difficult to find the right balance of seizure medications. 

You’re having a lot of nausea or vomiting while taking Ozempic

Nausea and vomiting may prevent you from taking your seizure medications or keeping them down. Call your healthcare team right away if you aren’t able to take your seizure medications. You may need to stop taking Ozempic and start other medications to treat diabetes instead. You may also need treatment to relieve your nausea and vomiting so that you can safely take your seizure medications. 

You’re having surgery

Some experts recommend stopping Ozempic 1 week before any planned surgery. Ozempic slows digestion, which can increase your risk of aspiration during anesthesia. Aspiration occurs when solids and liquids in your stomach move up into your esophagus and then enter your airway. Aspiration can lead to severe respiratory problems. Your healthcare team can help you safely stop Ozempic and switch to other medications ahead of your surgery. 

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

You can take Ozempic and seizure medications at the same time. But it’s important to work closely with your healthcare team to make sure you’re absorbing your medications appropriately. 

You may need to have your seizure medication levels checked more often when you first start taking Ozempic. Close monitoring will help make sure your levels stay in a safe range. 

Why trust our experts?

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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