Key takeaways:
Wegovy is an effective weight-loss treatment for many people. Before deciding if it’s right for you, it’s important to be aware of some of the possible side effects of this medication.
Long-term side effects of Wegovy can include gallbladder and pancreas problems, stomach paralysis, and vision problems. But many of these conditions are rare and improve by stopping the medication.
Early studies suggested rare but serious health risks with Wegovy, like thyroid cancer and suicidal thoughts. But follow-up research hasn’t shown these risks.
Medications like Wegovy have helped a lot of people reach their weight-loss goals. But, like all medications, there are potential risks.
Many people are familiar with some of the immediate side effects — like nausea or low blood sugar. But since the medication has only been approved since 2021, health experts and people who use it are still learning about some of the longer-term complications of taking Wegovy and similar medications. Here, we take a closer look at 10 long-term risks of Wegovy.
1. Gallbladder problems
Wegovy can lead to problems with the gallbladder and bile duct system. The gallbladder is an organ near the liver. It stores bile, a yellowish liquid that helps digest fats. When you eat, the gallbladder releases bile through a duct system that connects to the intestine. This helps you break down and absorb fat from your diet.
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Wegovy can increase the risk of gallstones and inflammation of the gallbladder. This could be related to the weight loss from taking Wegovy. That’s because when people lose a lot of weight (or lose weight quickly), they’re at higher risk of experiencing gallbladder issues. But it’s possible that the medication itself may also increase the risk.
Gallbladder issues like inflammation and gallstones can cause blockages in the bile duct system. The symptoms of gallbladder problems include:
Abdominal pain
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
In the short term, these issues can be treated. But more severe cases may require surgery to remove gallstones and/or the gallbladder itself. And any surgery can increase your risk for longer-term health complications. So it’s important to be aware of this risk.
But these side effects are rare. Less than 2% of adults taking Wegovy developed gallstone problems.
2. Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, is another rare but serious side effect of Wegovy seen in clinical trials.
The pancreas is another digestive organ near the gallbladder. It releases enzymes and hormones that help regulate metabolism and digestion. If the pancreas becomes inflamed, it can cause intense abdominal pain and frequent vomiting.
Like the gallbladder problems mentioned above, these pancreas issues can be treated. But they can also lead to long-term complications in more severe cases.
It should be noted that a recent review casts doubt on the link between Wegovy and pancreatitis. But other reviews still confirm a small risk.
How does Wegovy stack up against Zepbound? They have similar active ingredients, but there are differences. Here’s what to know about Wegovy versus Zepbound for weight loss.
There are several options for GLP-1s: Our experts break down GLP-1 options so you can make an informed decision about which is best for you.
Are Ozempic and Wegovy knockoffs safe? Many people turn to compounding pharmacies when they can’t otherwise get semaglutide. It’s important to know how they work and the risks involved.
It’s not clear if having a history of pancreatitis in the past increases the risk of being diagnosed with pancreatitis while taking Wegovy. And pancreatitis can’t always be prevented. But limiting alcohol or avoiding it altogether will lower your risk of the condition.
3. Stomach paralysis
One of the ways that Wegovy helps with weight loss is by slowing down stomach emptying. This makes people feel full with smaller amounts of food. But some people taking Wegovy and similar medications have developed stomach paralysis (also known as gastroparesis).
With gastroparesis, food and liquids in the stomach don’t empty into the intestines as they should. The stomach contents may remain in the stomach for a prolonged period of time. This can lead to:
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Bloating
Uncomfortable feelings of fullness
Gastroparesis wasn’t noted in the initial clinical trials of Wegovy. But as more people are taking Wegovy, a few people have experienced this condition. And some studies have found a potential link. In some cases, gastroparesis went away when the medication was stopped, but not always.
Certain situations and health conditions can increase a person’s risk for gastroparesis. So be careful taking Wegovy if any of the following apply to you:
You have diabetes.
You’re taking medications that slow down your digestive system, like opioids.
You’ve had stomach surgery in the past.
You have certain nervous system conditions, like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.
4. Blocked intestines
Wegovy may lead to another serious digestive complication. Some people reported blocked intestines, also called a bowel obstruction, while taking Wegovy. This is when food gets stuck in the intestine and creates a blockage, preventing intestinal contents from moving in the right direction.
Bowel obstruction can cause intense abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Similar to the side effects above, this complication is rare. But it’s a serious condition that requires emergency care and even surgery.
5. Kidney problems
Some people have experienced sudden (acute) kidney injury while taking Wegovy. Here’s why.
Wegovy’s common side effects of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can all lead to dehydration. And more severe cases of dehydration can affect the kidneys. With severe dehydration, the kidneys don’t receive enough blood flow. This causes kidneys to not function as well as the body needs them to. But this kind of kidney injury is usually reversible. That means it gets better once someone is rehydrated.
Your medical care team may recommend monitoring your kidney function while you take Wegovy if you:
Have underlying kidney problems
Experience severe gastrointestinal side effects that could make you dehydrated
6. Hair loss
Hair loss has been reported by 3% of people taking Wegovy. That’s compared to 1% of people taking a placebo in clinical trials. But it seems to be more rare in follow-up studies. It’s more likely that hair loss is due to weight loss rather than the medication itself. After all, rapid weight loss — like after weight-loss surgery — is known to cause hair loss.
The condition leading to hair loss caused by Wegovy is known as telogen effluvium, or stress-related hair loss. If you do experience hair loss, the effect is usually temporary. But there are steps you can take to help prevent hair loss or help it regrow while taking Wegovy, including making sure you get enough protein and nutrition from your diet.
7. Increased heart rate
People taking Wegovy in clinical trials experienced small increases in their heart rates. Their heart rates increased by 1 to 4 beats per minute, on average. But some people had even greater increases.
For many people, this may not be a problem (or noticeable). But increased heart rate can be a bigger deal for people with heart conditions, like atrial fibrillation or heart failure.
If you feel missed heartbeats, palpitations, or racing heartbeat at rest while taking Wegovy, it’s a good idea to discuss this with your healthcare team. If your heart rate is consistently increased on Wegovy, you may need to stop taking the medication.
8. Vision loss
Semaglutide has been linked to three different eye conditions, all of which can lead to serious vision impairment:
Diabetic retinopathy
Macular degeneration
A rare type of eye stroke, called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
This can sound scary. So let’s take a closer look at what the research shows.
Diabetic retinopathy
In people who have diabetes, taking Wegovy may increase the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. This condition affects the blood vessels in the back of the eye and can lead to vision loss.
The active ingredient in Wegovy, semaglutide, is also used to treat high blood sugar in people with diabetes. It sounds contrary, but rapid improvement in blood sugar can worsen diabetic retinopathy in the short term.
But the potential benefit may outweigh the risk. The newest research suggests that semaglutide actually improved diabetic eye disease in 60% of people with the condition who took the medication. So researchers are actively studying this issue to provide more answers.
Macular degeneration
A recent study from Canada showed that people with diabetes who took glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications like semaglutide were twice as likely to develop a specific type of macular degeneration. This is a condition that can cause small blood vessels in the eye to bleed. But this was still a rare side effect overall: About 2 in every 1,000 people were affected.
Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
When semaglutide first hit the market, researchers noted a small increase in this rare eye condition. Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a long name, but you can think of it as a small stroke in the eye. It occurs when there’s reduced blood flow to certain parts of the eye. In some cases, it can lead to blindness in the affected eye.
Like the other eye conditions above, researchers are trying to better understand this risk. In a large study published in 2025, researchers found the risk of NAION to be 1.3 times higher in people with diabetes who take semaglutide. But it’s still very rare, affecting about 1 in every 10,000 people each year.
9. Thyroid cancer
Wegovy carries an FDA black box warning regarding its possible link with a rare type of thyroid tumor. This was discovered during safety studies in rodents that were given semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy. But it’s difficult to make a direct comparison between the effects of semaglutide on rodents and the effect of Wegovy in humans.
Follow-up studies in humans suggest a rate of less than 1%, so the risk seems to be very low. But the makers of Wegovy still say that certain groups of people at high risk of thyroid tumors should avoid taking Wegovy. These include people with:
Personal or family history of medullary cell carcinoma of the thyroid
Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
10. Mental health side effects
Some people who took Wegovy in clinical trials reported suicidal thoughts. This side effect wasn’t common. But given its seriousness, the FDA investigated further.
Preliminary data and follow-up data haven’t shown a link between medications like Wegovy and suicidal thoughts, but the research is ongoing.
If you have a history of severe depression or have had suicidal thoughts in the past, it’s especially important to discuss this potential side effect with a medical professional before starting Wegovy. Let them know right away if you have any new or worsening depression symptoms or suicidal thoughts while taking the medication.
Is Wegovy safe?
Overall, Wegovy and other semaglutide medications are regarded as safe.
After reading through this list of the potential long-term side effects of Wegovy, it can feel like the risks outweigh the benefits. But keep in mind most of these side effects are rare. For most people, the health benefits outweigh the risks. Wegovy can help with more than just weight loss. It also has benefits for things like heart health and stroke prevention.
If you’re at higher risk for any of the long-term side effects above, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take Wegovy. Talk to a healthcare professional you know and trust, like your primary care provider. They can help you understand your risk so you can make a decision that feels safe to you.
Frequently asked questions
Regaining some weight is common after stopping the medication. One clinical trial showed that after 1 year, people had gained about two-thirds of the amount of weight they’d lost with the medication. If you do plan to stop taking it, experts suggest tapering the dose before stopping, if possible.
Wegovy and Ozempic are brand names of the same medication: semaglutide. The FDA has approved Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes. They have different dosages but cause similar side effects.
There’s not much data looking specifically at Wegovy use in people without a gallbladder. But yes, people who don’t have a gallbladder can still take Wegovy. It’s possible this could increase their risk of side effects like diarrhea or stomach upset. But it also means they don’t need to think about the risk of gallstones or gallbladder infections — although bile duct issues can still occur. So, as with other prescription medications, it’s best to discuss your situation with a healthcare professional.
Regaining some weight is common after stopping the medication. One clinical trial showed that after 1 year, people had gained about two-thirds of the amount of weight they’d lost with the medication. If you do plan to stop taking it, experts suggest tapering the dose before stopping, if possible.
Wegovy and Ozempic are brand names of the same medication: semaglutide. The FDA has approved Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes. They have different dosages but cause similar side effects.
There’s not much data looking specifically at Wegovy use in people without a gallbladder. But yes, people who don’t have a gallbladder can still take Wegovy. It’s possible this could increase their risk of side effects like diarrhea or stomach upset. But it also means they don’t need to think about the risk of gallstones or gallbladder infections — although bile duct issues can still occur. So, as with other prescription medications, it’s best to discuss your situation with a healthcare professional.
The bottom line
Wegovy has powerful benefits for weight-loss treatment. But, like any medication, it also has potential side effects. Wegovy most commonly causes gastrointestinal problems, and some of these can be serious. Fortunately, the serious side effects seem to be rare.
But because Wegovy and similar medications are still fairly new, there’s a lot experts don’t know about potential long-term effects. The good news is this will change over time. But, for now, it’s a good idea to discuss any concerning side effects of Wegovy with a healthcare professional before starting the medication.
Why trust our experts?
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or a mental health crisis, help is available. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. This number connects you with free and confidential professional assistance.
References
American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2023). Popular weight loss drug does not appear to worsen diabetic eye disease in most patients, new study suggests.
Cai, C. X., et al. (2025). Semaglutide and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. JAMA Ophthalmology.
ClinicalTrials.gov. (2025). A research study to look at how semaglutide compared to placebo affects diabetic eye disease in people with type 2 diabetes (FOCUS).
European Medicines Agency. (2023). EMA statement on ongoing review of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Feier, C. V. I., et al. (2024). Assessment of thyroid carcinogenic risk and safety profile of GLP1-RA semaglutide (Ozempic) therapy for diabetes mellitus and obesity: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Jairath, R., et al. (2024). 53028 Semaglutide and hair loss: A real-world analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Masson, W., et al. (2024). Acute pancreatitis due to different semaglutide regimens: An updated meta-analysis. Endocrinología, Diabetes y Nutrición.
Novo Nordisk Inc. (2024). Wegovy -semaglutide injection [package insert].
Prillaman, M., et al. (2024). What happens when you quit Ozempic and Wegovy? Scientific American.
Shor, R., et al. (2025). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and risk of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. JAMA Ophthalmology.
Sodhi, M., et al. (2023). Risk of gastrointestinal adverse events associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight loss. JAMA.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Update on FDA’s ongoing evaluation of reports of suicidal thoughts or actions in patients taking a certain type of medicines approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Wang, W., et al. (2024). Association of semaglutide with risk of suicidal ideation in a real-world cohort. Nature Medicine.
Wilding, J. P. H., et al. (2022). Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Zhang, W., et al. (2021). Hair loss after metabolic and bariatric surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity Surgery.
