Does Ozempic cause Joint Pain or Osteoarthritis?

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.

While it is a little 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.

Is joint pain a side effect of Ozempic?

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. New research suggests people with obesity who take semaglutide, have a 16% lower rate of developing osteoarthritis. 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 reduce joint pain.

So what else can cause joint pain if not 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.

1. Autoimmune disorders

People who are prone to autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis 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. 

2. 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: 

• 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

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.

The Bottom Line

Joint and muscle pain are not reported Ozempic side effects. But some people do have these symptoms while taking Ozempic. This might be due to another reason like a new medical condition, medication, or injection-site pain. If you’re experiencing muscle or joint pain while taking Ozempic, talk to your healthcare provider so you can figure out what’s causing your pain and find the right treatment.

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Medical Review: This article is written by Dr Nishtha Mittal (Senior Health Content Editor at Zanskar Health) and has been medically reviewed by the medical team at Zanskar Health. This article and its contents are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or professional services specific to you or your medical condition.