"Ozempic face" side effect - Should I be worried?

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a medication used to manage type 2 diabetes and it has been approved by the FDA for weight loss in certain individuals. Side effects can vary among individuals and can include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite. Weight loss is also a common side effect due to the decreased appetite and improvement in blood sugar control.
The term "Ozempic face" likely refers to noticeable weight loss in the face, which can sometimes occur in individuals who lose weight rapidly or significantly. However, this is not a commonly reported side effect of Ozempic specifically. The medication tends to promote gradual and sustainable weight loss, which is less likely to result in a gaunt or thin appearance.
Remember that the goal of therapy with Ozempic, or any other medication, is to improve your health. If you experience side effects that concern you or affect your quality of life, it's important to communicate this to your healthcare provider so they can adjust your treatment plan as needed.

Hello, thank you for your question. Any rapid weight loss method can result in losing facial volume more quickly and altering the appearance of the face. Once rapid weight loss occurs, the skin has less time to adapt appropriately, resulting in an increased appearance of skin sagging. Ozempic is targeted for fat loss, and we have fat everywhere in our body. The quickest place to see this effect is usually the face, but it can also occur in the arms, abdomen, and legs, depending on how much fat is to be lost. However, there are alternatives that be done to help restore lost volume, such as dermal fillers. If this is a concern to you, I would suggest speaking with a practitioner to make sure you are a candidate for Ozempic and discuss treatment modalities down the road to help reduce volume loss in the face.