Ozempic and Gastroparesis: What’s the Connection?

Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable medication that’s FDA approved to treat several conditions. It works by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin, slowing down digestion and suppressing appetite. 

Ozempic is a powerful medication, but it’s been linked to several complications including gastroparesis. Gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis, is a medical condition in which the stomach slows down or stops contracting to digest food. It causes symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. These symptoms are very similar to common Ozempic side effects. 

So how can you tell if you’ve developed gastroparesis or are just experiencing regular Ozempic side effects? And what’s the real risk of developing gastroparesis while taking Ozempic? Here’s what you should know about the connection between Ozempic and gastroparesis.

Does Ozempic cause gastroparesis (stomach paralysis)?

There are reports of people developing gastroparesis while taking Ozempic. These reports establish a connection between Ozempic and gastroparesis. But these reports aren’t enough to say that Ozempic directly causes gastroparesis. Here’s why a connection isn’t enough to prove that Ozempic causes gastroparesis.

People may have developed gastroparesis because of high blood sugar, not Ozempic 

People living with diabetes are at higher risk for developing gastroparesis because they frequently experience high blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can cause gastroparesis. 

Many people who developed gastroparesis while on Ozempic were taking the medication to treat diabetes. These people were already at higher risk for developing gastroparesis. These people may have developed gastroparesis anyway, even if they hadn’t been taking Ozempic. 

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Ozempic was initially approved by the FDA to treat diabetes. But now it’s approved to treat more medical conditions. Some of these conditions aren’t associated with gastroparesis. So future studies will be able to examine whether people who take Ozempic but don’t have diabetes also develop gastroparesis. Removing high blood sugar as a variable can help establish a more firm connection between Ozempic and gastroparesis.

People’s symptoms may not have been due to gastroparesis

Gastroparesis causes symptoms like:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Bloating 

• Heartburn

• Feeling full soon after eating a meal

• Feeling full long after eating a meal

But Ozempic causes many of these symptoms too because it slows down how quickly the stomach empties. It can be hard to know whether people are experiencing gastroparesis or expected Ozempic side effects based on just symptoms. 

That’s why medical tests are often needed to confirm a diagnosis of gastroparesis. These tests measure how well their stomach moves. They can tell whether the stomach is truly paralyzed, which can confirm gastroparesis. Not all people who developed gastroparesis while taking Ozempic had these tests. This makes it difficult to know if they had gastroparesis or just more pronounced Ozempic side effects.

But here’s one reassuring statistic: In a clinical study, 83% of people taking Ozempic for 2 years developed gastrointestinal symptoms. But none of them developed gastroparesis.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Ozempic-induced heartburn: Ozempic can cause other gut issues, including heartburn and acid reflux. Here’s what to do if you’re experiencing heartburn after starting Ozempic.

• Manage Ozempic-induced nausea. It’s one of the most common side effects of Ozempic. Check out our expert tips for relieving  nausea while taking this medication.

• What to expect when you take Ozempic: Hear from people who have taken Ozempic and find out how they managed side effects, from nausea to cravings.

Who is more likely to develop stomach paralysis while taking Ozempic?

Ozempic is a relatively new medication. More research is needed to know whether Ozempic truly causes gastroparesis. But in the meantime, people who are at higher risk for developing gastroparesis may want to avoid taking Ozempic. 

Gastroparesis can happen to anyone, but some people are more likely to develop it. You may be at higher risk for developing gastroparesis if you have one of these medical conditions: 

• Diabetes

• Lupus 

• Celiac disease 

• Hypothyroidism 

You’re also more likely to develop gastroparesis if you’ve had surgery on your:

• Esphagus

• Stomach

• Small intestine (duodenum)

• Pancreas

Medications that increase the risk of developing gastroparesis include:

• Opioids

• Calcium channel blockers

• Tricyclic antidepressants

• Progesterone

• Clonidine

• Lithium

• Certain types of chemotherapy

Talk with your healthcare team if you have one of these medical conditions or are taking medications that increase the risk of developing gastroparesis. Your team can help you decide if Ozempic is the best option for you. 

Should you take Ozempic if you’ve had gastroparesis in the past?

The makers of Ozempic don’t list gastroparesis as a contraindication for taking Ozempic. A contraindication is a situation when a medication shouldn’t be used because it can cause harm. 

Contraindications are updated over time as more information becomes available about a medication. Since Ozempic is a relatively new medication, gastroparesis may be added as a contraindication in the future. 

But you probably shouldn’t take Ozempic if you currently have gastroparesis. You may also want to avoid Ozempic if you had gastroparesis in the past, even if you’re completely recovered. 

What should you do if you’re having symptoms of gastroparesis?

Get medical care as soon as possible if you’re experiencing symptoms of gastroparesis like:

• Nausea

• Stomach distention

• Abdominal pain

• Belching

• Difficulty eating due to fullness

You should also get medical care if you’re experiencing worsening Ozempic side effects.

Your healthcare team can perform a physical exam and order tests to see if you’re experiencing gastroparesis or worsening side effects from taking Ozempic. You shouldn’t stop taking Ozempic without talking with your healthcare team first. 

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Written by:

Inga Johannesson, DO

Dr. Johannesson is a licensed, board-certified internal medicine physician with more than 20 years of clinical experience. She started her medical career combining hospital and critical care medicine with outpatient-based clinical practice and nursing home care.

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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