Patient/caregiver was educated on the side effects of using Semaglutide as follows:
- Most common side-effects with Semaglutide use relate to the actions of the medication itself – lowered blood sugars and delayed gastric emptying.
- Lowered blood sugars with Semaglutide use can result in hypoglycemia and consequently, individuals can present with dizziness, headache, confusion, fast pounding heart rate, blurred vision, fatigue, mood changes, irritability, and hunger.
- Semaglutide use can cause a wide range of side-effects involving the gastrointestinal system, mostly from delayed gastric emptying caused by the medication. Individuals can present with abdominal discomfort with nausea and vomiting, constipation, gas, burping, bloating, heart burn, loss of appetite, and diarrhea
- Individuals can also present with some rare and serious side-effects from Semaglutide use as below.
- Anaphylaxis- A rare, but serious anaphylactic response can occur for Semaglutide use. Patients can present with extreme itching and rash, swelling of the face and throat, dizziness, bronchoconstriction, and difficulty breathing. This is an emergency and medical attention should be sought immediately, without any delay.
- Other serious side-effects with Semaglutide use discussed below have also been reported.
- Acute cholecystitis with severe right upper quadrant pain in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, jaundice, light-colored stools, bloating and loss of appetite.
- Acute pancreatitis with severe upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, bloating, indigestion, and loss of appetite.
- Signs of a thyroid tumor with swelling in the neck, difficulty swallowing and breathing, and change in voice patterns.
- Altered renal function with Semaglutide use can be secondary to the side-effects of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea caused by the medication itself with resulting dehydration. Consequently, individuals can present with fatigue and hypotension with reduced urine volume.
