Can Ozempic damage kidneys?

Asked by: Chaim Christiansen  |  Last update: February 1, 2024
Score: 4.8/5 (21 votes)

There is a potential risk of kidney injury associated with both Wegovy and Ozempic use since semaglutide is cleared out of your blood through the kidneys.

Is kidney damage from Ozempic reversible?

Since the half-life of Ozempic is about seven days6, our patient's renal function recovered after four weeks. Luckily, the kidney damage was reversible.

What are the extreme risks of taking Ozempic?

"Your blood sugar can drop too low, for example. You can have dizziness, you can have vomiting. If you have a history of thyroid cancer, it can reintroduce that cancer into your body. But why it's making headlines now is it's found to cause what's called intestinal obstruction.

Does semaglutide hurt your kidneys?

In the patients described, the rapid decline in kidney function was temporally associated with semaglutide administration in the absence of another cause such as dehydration, hypotension, or use of NSAIDs or other nephrotoxic medications.

What are the long term side effects of Ozempic?

Other serious side effects of Ozempic include thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, changes in vision, hypoglycemia, gallbladder issues, kidney failure and cancer.

Unbelievable: These 5 Medications Could Be Ruining Your Kidneys Without You Knowing!

42 related questions found

What organ does Ozempic affect?

Kidney problems

Taking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, like Ozempic, may worsen renal failure or damage in people with kidney problems. Kidney injury can also occur in people who do not have underlying chronic kidney disease while taking Ozempic.

How long can you safely stay on Ozempic?

A person can stay on Ozempic® so long as they are tolerating the medication and it is deemed appropriate by their treating provider. There is no specific time frame when someone should stop taking Ozempic as it is a medication that is intended for chronic (long-term) use.

What are the symptoms of kidney problems?

Nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, swelling via feet and ankles, dry, itchy skin, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, urinating either too much or too little.

What medications can damage your kidneys?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), diuretics, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have all been linked to kidney problems. Certain medications given in hospital settings, such as iodinated radiocontrast, vancomycin, and aminoglycoside antibiotics, can also hurt the kidneys.

Do you regain weight after stopping Ozempic?

You start feeling those usual hunger pangs again, and consequently, you may start eating more to satisfy that hunger. An increase in your consumption can lead to the regaining of weight that was lost. A 2022 study found that most individuals gain weight back a year after stopping the medication.

What is safer than Ozempic?

The bottom line. If you're having trouble accessing Ozempic, your healthcare provider may recommend an alternative that works in a similar way. For Type 2 diabetes, this may include Rybelsus, Trulicity, or Mounjaro. If you're taking Ozempic off-label for weight loss, Wegovy and Saxenda are two FDA-approved options.

Is Ozempic a high risk medication?

This drug has a boxed warning about possible risk of thyroid cancer. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. In animals, Ozempic can increase the risk of thyroid tumors.

How long does kidney damage take from diabetes?

How long does it take for kidneys to become affected? Almost all patients with Type I diabetes develop some evidence of functional change in the kidneys within two to five years of the diagnosis. About 30 to 40 percent progress to more serious kidney disease, usually within about 10 to 30 years.

How can I protect my kidneys from diabetes?

Eat less salt/sodium. That's a good move for diabetes and really important for CKD. Over time, your kidneys lose the ability to control your sodium-water balance. Less sodium in your diet will help lower blood pressure and decrease fluid buildup in your body, which is common in kidney disease.

How to improve kidney function?

6 Things People with Kidney Disease Should Do:
  1. Lower high blood pressure.
  2. Manage blood sugar levels.
  3. Reduce salt intake.
  4. Avoid NSAIDs, a type of painkiller.
  5. Moderate protein consumption.
  6. Get an annual flu shot.

How do I check if my kidneys are OK?

Because your kidneys remove waste, toxins, and extra fluid from the blood, a doctor will also use a blood test to check your kidney function. The blood tests will show how well your kidneys are doing their job and how quickly the waste is being removed. Here are a few blood tests that are used: Serum creatinine.

What does stage 1 kidney disease feel like?

Signs and symptoms of Stage 1 CKD include: High blood pressure. Swelling in your hands or feet. Urinary tract infections.

What foods help repair kidneys?

10 Superfoods for People with Kidney Disease
  • Red Peppers. Also low in potassium but high in flavor. ...
  • Cauliflower. High in vitamin C, folate and fiber, cauliflower helps your body fight off toxins. ...
  • Blueberries. ...
  • Egg Whites. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Fish. ...
  • Red Grapes. ...
  • Olive Oil.

Are Ozempic side effects permanent?

Ozempic can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do I know if Ozempic is affecting my pancreas?

inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis).

Stop using Ozempic® and call your health care provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.

What foods to avoid on Ozempic?

Here are five things to limit in your diet to lower your risk of side effects.
  • Foods that are high in fat. Foods that are high in fat can worsen Ozempic side effects. ...
  • Sugary foods and drinks. ...
  • Ultra-processed carbohydrates. ...
  • Starchy vegetables. ...
  • Alcohol.

Can you stay on Ozempic forever for weight loss?

If you take Wegovy or Ozempic to lose weight, will you need to keep taking the drugs indefinitely? Yes. As with many chronic conditions, most people who use the drugs for diabetes or weight loss will need to keep taking them to keep benefiting from them.

Which is safer metformin or Ozempic?

Is metformin safer than Ozempic? Metformin is often considered to be among the safest and most studied drugs for helping people to manage their blood sugar. While metformin has been been in common use longer than Ozempic, each drug has undergone extensive, rigorous testing.

Can I stop Ozempic immediately?

It's not ideal to abruptly stop taking a medication without being advised on how to do so safely and effectively. Doing so may cause serious medical complications due to sudden shifts in blood sugar levels when a medication like Ozempic is stopped suddenly.