Are Joint Pain and Muscle Pain an Ozempic Side Effect? Here’s What Experts Say - GoodRx (2024)

Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable medication that belongs to a family of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. That means Ozempic mimics natural GLP-1’s effects on the body. These effects include suppressing the appetite centers in the brain and acting on the gut to slow down the movement of food. These medicines also help you make more insulin. Because insulin controls your blood sugar, medications like Ozempic are helpful in treating diabetes.

Ozempic is FDA approved to treat Type 2 diabetes and is used off-label to treat obesity. While it’s a powerful treatment, Ozempic does cause side effects. The most common Ozempic side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

But there are increasing reports of other side effects, like headaches and hair loss. And another growing trend: Ozempic-related joint and muscle pain.

It can be hard to determine if these side effects are directly related to Ozempic. Here’s what the research shows about Ozempic and joint and muscle pain — and what you should do if you’re experiencing these symptoms.

Is joint pain a side effect of Ozempic?

Probably not.

In clinical trials, people taking Ozempic reported a range of gut-related side effects. But there weren’t any reports of joint pain. There was a report of arthritis triggered by another type of GLP-1 agonist. However, there haven’t been any reports of Ozempic-related arthritis.

In fact, there’s evidence that taking Ozempic might actually improve joint pain. In lab studies, GLP-1 agonists showed anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers think this could be helpful to people with osteoarthritis. A well-studied side effect of Ozempic is weight loss. And research shows that weight loss can improve joint pain from arthritis.

What can cause joint pain when you take Ozempic?

The fact remains that some people report joint pain after taking Ozempic. So, if it’s not the medication, why are they experiencing joint pain? Here are a few possible sources.

Autoimmune disorders

Some people are more likely to develop other autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, which affect the joints. People who are more likely to get these conditions may experience their first flare while taking Ozempic. The timing is a coincidence, but people may attribute it to the medication and not realize that it’s a new medical condition popping up.

So, if you’re experiencing new joint pain, swelling, or redness, see your healthcare provider right away. These can be signs of a new arthritis condition.

Medications

Joint pain and inflammation is a known side effect of many other medications. If you’re taking one of these medications, they could be the cause of your joint pain:

• DDP4 inhibitors: These are older diabetes medications, and they even include an FDA warning about joint pain.

• Statins: These are medications used to treat high cholesterol.

• Bisphosphonates: These are medications used to treat osteoporosis.

• Premarin: This is an estrogen medication that treats symptoms of menopause.

• Carvedilol: This is a medication used to treat high blood pressure.

This side effect of joint pain can set in over time. So, even if you’ve been taking the medications for a while, they might still be the reason you’re experiencing joint pain.

Can Ozempic cause muscle pain?

Probably not.

In clinical trials, people did not report muscle pain as a side effect. But like joint pain, there might be other explanations for this pain, like medications or new medical conditions. Other possible answers are listed below.

Injection-site pain

Ozempic is an injectable medication that’s taken weekly. If people don’t alternate their injection sites, it can lead to bruising and swelling in the area of the injection. While the needle doesn’t reach all the way into the muscle, swelling in the tissues above the muscle can still pressure down and lead to muscle soreness.

Dehydration

Appetite suppression is a side effect of Ozempic. But when people don’t feel like eating, they also don’t feel like drinking. If you’re not drinking enough fluids throughout the day, you can become dehydrated over time. Dehydration can cause painful muscle cramps and soreness.

If you’re taking Ozempic, set yourself a daily fluid goal so you can make sure you’re getting enough to drink throughout the day.

Muscle strain

Ozempic works best if it’s used in combination with other treatments, including diet changes and exercise. If you’ve recently started a new exercise routine, it’s possible that you have muscle soreness related to exercise.

How can you manage joint or muscle pain while on Ozempic?

If you develop joint or muscle pain while taking Ozempic, talk to your healthcare provider. It’s best not to wait and see if the symptoms go away on their own. You may need a physical exam and other tests to look for other causes of muscle and joint pain.

Remember, don’t stop taking Ozempic or any of your other medications until you speak to your healthcare provider.

The best treatment for your pain depends on what’s causing the symptoms. If you’re experiencing a new autoimmune condition, you may need medication to treat that condition. You might also need a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to control your pain.

If another medication is causing the pain, your healthcare provider may suggest changing medications or lowering your dose.

If injection-site pain is to blame, alternating sites and using an ice pack can help make your pain better.