Can Ozempic Cause Joint and Muscle Pain?

Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable medication that belongs to a family of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. That means Ozempic mimics natural GLP-1’s effects on the body. These effects include suppressing the appetite centers in the brain and acting on the gut to slow down the movement of food. 

These medicines also help you make more insulin. Because insulin controls your blood sugar, medications like Ozempic are helpful in treating diabetes.

Ozempic is FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes and is used off-label to treat obesity. While it’s a powerful treatment, Ozempic does cause side effects. The most common Ozempic side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain. 

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But there are increasing reports of other side effects, like headaches and hair loss. And another growing trend: Ozempic-related joint and muscle pain. 

It can be hard to determine if these body aches are directly related to Ozempic. Here’s what the research shows about Ozempic and joint and muscle pain — and what you should do if you’re experiencing these symptoms.

Is joint pain a side effect of Ozempic?

Probably not. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Where to inject Ozempic (semaglutide): Follow these tips on where and how to inject Ozempic.

• Semaglutide side effects: The most common side effects of semaglutide are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is when they’re most likely to occur.

• Medications that cause joint and muscle pain: There are a handful of medications that can cause muscle and joint pain. Here are the most likely culprits.

In clinical trials, people taking Ozempic reported a range of gut-related side effects. But there weren’t any reports of joint pain. There was a report of arthritis triggered by another type of GLP-1 agonist called liraglutide (Victoza). However, there haven’t been any reports of Ozempic-related arthritis.

In fact, there’s evidence that taking Ozempic might actually improve joint pain. In lab studies, GLP-1 agonists showed anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers think this could be helpful to people with osteoarthritis. A well-studied side effect of Ozempic is weight loss. And research shows that weight loss can improve joint pain from arthritis.

What can cause joint pain when you take Ozempic?

The fact remains that some people report joint pain after taking Ozempic. So, if it’s not the medication, why are they experiencing joint pain? Here are a few possible sources.

Autoimmune disorders

Some people are more likely to develop other autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, which affect the joints. These conditions aren’t related to taking Ozempic. But someone could have their first arthritis flare-up while taking Ozempic. The timing is a coincidence. And people may attribute it to the medication and not realize that it’s a new medical condition popping up. 

See a healthcare professional right away if you’re experiencing new joint pain, swelling, or redness. These can be signs of a new arthritis condition.

Medications

Joint pain and inflammation are known side effects of many other medications, including: 

• DDP-4 inhibitors: These are older diabetes medications, and they even include an FDA warning about joint pain.

• Statins: These are medications used to treat high cholesterol.

• Bisphosphonates: These are medications used to treat osteoporosis.

• Premarin: This is an estrogen medication that treats symptoms of menopause.

• Carvedilol: This is a medication used to treat high blood pressure.

This side effect of joint pain can set in over time. So, even if you’ve been taking the medications for a while, they might still be the reason you’re experiencing joint pain. 

Can Ozempic cause muscle pain?

Probably not.

In clinical trials, people didn’t report muscle pain as a side effect. But like joint pain, there might be other explanations for this pain, like medications or new medical conditions. Other possible answers are listed below.

Injection-site pain 

Ozempic is a weekly injectable medication. You may experience bruising or swelling where you inject the medication, especially if you inject it in the same spot every time. The needle goes under your skin, but it doesn’t reach all the way into the muscle. Even so, swelling in the tissues above the muscle can lead to muscle soreness.

Ozempic injections shouldn’t be very painful. To prevent Ozempic injection site pain, don’t inject yourself in the same spot twice in a row. You can rotate among your stomach, thigh, and upper arm.

Dehydration

Ozempic suppresses (lowers) your appetite. And when you don’t feel like eating, you’ll be less likely to drink. If you’re not drinking enough fluids throughout the day, you can become dehydrated over time. Dehydration can cause painful muscle cramps and soreness.

If you’re taking Ozempic, set yourself a daily fluid goal so you can make sure you’re getting enough to drink throughout the day.

Muscle strain

Ozempic works best if it’s used along with other treatments, including diet changes and exercise. If you’ve recently started a new exercise routine, your sore muscles may be related to exercise. 

How can you manage joint or muscle pain while on Ozempic?

If you develop joint or muscle pain while taking Ozempic, talk with your healthcare team. It’s best not to wait and see if the symptoms go away on their own. You may need a physical exam and other tests to look for other causes of muscle and joint pain.

Remember, don’t stop taking Ozempic or any of your other medications until you speak to your healthcare team. 

The best treatment for your pain depends on what’s causing the symptoms. If you’re experiencing a new autoimmune condition, you may need medication to treat that condition. You might also need a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to help manage your pain.

If another medication is causing the pain, a healthcare professional may suggest changing medications or lowering your dose. Often, however, you can help mild joint or muscle pain go away with simple treatments like: 

• Rest

• Ice

• Elevation of the part of your body that hurts 

If injection-site pain is to blame, alternating sites and using an ice pack can help make your pain better. 

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Written by:

Brian Clista, MD

Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

Edited by:

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN, is a California-based registered nurse and staff medical editor at GoodRx, where he focuses on clinical updates and Latino health.

Reviewed by:

Farzon A. Nahvi, MD

Dr. Nahvi is an emergency medicine physician and author of “Code Gray: Death, Life, and Uncertainty in the ER.” He works clinically at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, and is a clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Prior to this, he worked as an ER physician and clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Mount Sinai Health System, NYU Langone Health, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, and the Manhattan VA. He is a graduate of Cornell University and NYU School of Medicine.

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