How Ozempic Affects Your Skin: From Bubbles Under Your Skin to Rashes

Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists have changed the treatment of many conditions, especially Type 2 diabetes. Not only do these medications help lower blood sugar levels, they can have additional benefits, like weight management and improving cardiovascular health. But all medications have potential side effects, and Ozempic is no different. 

Most of Ozempic’s side effects are related to your gut. Ozempic can cause nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Less commonly, Ozempic can cause skin reactions and temporary changes like bubbles underneath the injection site. 

Here’s what we know about Ozempic’s side effects on your skin. 

Can Ozempic give you a rash?

Yes, Ozempic can give you a rash and cause other skin changes. But serious skin reactions from Ozempic are rare. Most skin changes caused by Ozempic are temporary and go away on their own. Here are the most common Ozempic-related skin side effects to know about. 

Injection site reactions

Injection site reactions are the most common skin-related side effect of Ozempic. These reactions include redness, bruising, or discomfort at the injection site. Multiple studies have found that injection site reactions happen in less than 1% of people taking Ozempic. These skin changes are temporary and not harmful.

Hives 

Blotchy, itchy, raised spots that come and go are telltale signs of hives. Hives can be caused by an allergic reaction to things like bug bites, certain foods, and medications. Let your healthcare team know right away if you develop hives after taking Ozempic. In most cases, hives are uncomfortable but not dangerous. Sometimes hives can be a sign of a serious allergic reaction. If you also experience symptoms like swelling in your mouth or throat or difficulty breathing when you have hives, seek immediate medical care.

Promotion disclosure

credit_cardSponsored copay cardSubject to eligibility

Ozempic

Avg retail price

$1152.48(Save 97.83%)

Copay card

$25.00

See all discounts

How it works

Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

Delayed rash

Some medications can cause delayed skin reactions. In these cases, the rash may not appear for weeks or months after starting the medicine. This can make it tricky to diagnose the problem. There have been a few case reports of delayed rashes in people taking Ozempic, but it’s pretty rare. Talk with your healthcare team about any new rashes you develop while taking Ozempic. It’s often more likely the rash has another cause, but your healthcare team can also help rule out Ozempic as the cause. 

Skin bumps

Some people develop bumps under their skin when they use injectable medications like Ozempic. This condition, called lipohypertrophy, develops over time. And you’re more likely to develop it if you inject Ozempic in the same spot every time. Rotating injection sites can help you avoid these skin bumps. 

Interestingly, lipohypertrophy seems to happen less often with Ozempic compared to other diabetes medications. For example, there have been multiple reports of injection site reactions with a different GLP-1 agonist called exenatide. As a result, extended release exenatide packaging includes a warning about injection site nodules. Similarly, insulin is a well-known trigger for lipohypertrophy.

Can Ozempic injection cause a bubble under your skin?

Yes, there have also been reports of people developing bumps under their skin where they inject Ozempic. But these bumps don’t seem to be permanent or harmful. 

Bubbles may develop under your skin if the needle isn’t inserted fully when giving yourself the Ozempic injection. This causes the medication to pool under your skin and create a bubble. For proper injection, the medication should be delivered into the subcutaneous tissue, the layer just beneath your skin. 

Insert the needle completely to avoid bubbles under your skin. If you’re unsure about your technique, ask your healthcare team to watch you as you give yourself an injection. They can make sure you’re using the correct technique and the proper size needle.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Switching from Ozempic? Here’s what happens after you stop taking Ozempic. 

• What you eat while taking Ozempic matters. Here are the foods you should avoid while taking Ozempic.

• Trouble filling your prescription? Here are six Ozempic alternatives to try instead.

How can you lower the chance of developing a skin reaction while taking Ozempic?

Most people taking Ozempic won’t experience any skin side effects. But you can reduce your risk of local injection site skin reactions by:

• Using the right injection technique: Gather your supplies, pick a spot, and clean the skin before giving yourself an injection. If you aren’t sure how to inject Ozempic properly, ask your healthcare team for help. 

• Rotating the injection site: Avoid injecting in the same place every week. Ozempic can be injected under your skin in your upper arm, thigh, and stomach. 

• Injecting into healthy skin: Avoid injecting in a spot where your skin is already irritated or damaged. 

• Applying a cold compress: You can reduce the risk of swelling and redness by using a cold compress for 10 minutes after your injection. 

When should you seek care for skin changes while taking Ozempic?

Temporary skin irritation after an Ozempic reaction isn’t usually a cause for concern. A small area of redness, tenderness, or bruising that resolves on its own is normal. But you should talk to your healthcare team as soon as possible if you develop any of the following: 

• A more widespread rash

• Pain at your injection site

• Large bruising 

• Skin changes that don’t go away within a few days 

Get emergency care right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction like hives, face or tongue swelling, or difficulty breathing. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

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.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts