Is Ozempic Really Safe? Health Canada Logs Nearly 12,000 Side Secondary Effect Cases

Canada’s leading drug regulator is facing a growing wave of concern over the popular diabetes and weight-loss medication Ozempic, after thousands of reports of adverse effects, some of them being severe, were recorded nationwide.A Surge in ReportsHealth Canada confirmed it has received 11,707 individual reports of adverse reactions linked to drugs containing semaglutide, including Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, since their introduction to the Canadian market seven years ago. The agency has collected 2,706 separate reports detailing these side effects, about half coming from health professionals and half from patients, according to data obtained by Le Journal de Montréal.The reported issues range from relatively mild gastrointestinal discomfort to severe events such as poisoning, vision loss, and psychiatric disorders. Gastrointestinal complaints alone account for one-third of the reports — highlighting how common nausea, vomiting, and constipation are among users.Patients Speak OutFor patients like Liliana Mejia, the experience was devastating.“It was horrible,” she told Le Journal. “Everything made me want to vomit, my vision was blurred, [I was] tired and constipated for 10 days.”She stopped using the drug after a little over a year but says she wishes she had been warned about the potential impact earlier. “I don’t think we talk about it enough,” Mejia added.Her story mirrors that of many Canadians now speaking out about their struggles.Also Read: Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic, Mounjaro And Wegovy Under Scrutiny After Deaths And Pancreatitis Reports in UKPowerful But Not Risk-FreeOzempic was originally designed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes but has skyrocketed in popularity due to its ability to suppress appetite, leading to rapid weight loss.“It’s a powerful and effective drug that has many benefits, but also side effects that need to be managed,” explained Dr. Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret, endocrinologist and researcher, in comments to Le Journal.He emphasized that the reports do not necessarily prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship between Ozempic and the complications, but said that listening to patients is crucial. “It requires proper medical monitoring,” he noted, stressing that it should not be used casually or without supervision.Psychiatric Concerns and Risky TrendsAmong the most worrying findings are the psychiatric problems reported by patients, 470 cases have been logged so far. Dr. Rabasa-Lhoret said he has seen patients spiral into eating disorders such as anorexia due to overuse of the drug.He also pointed to the unprecedented demand for Ozempic, comparing the craze to the hype around Viagra when it first launched. “Many people have started prescribing it without providing proper support to patients,” he lamented, adding that the rise of online pharmacies has made it dangerously easy to obtain the drug without adequate oversight.Vision Loss and Rare NeuropathiesOne of the most troubling side effects being investigated is non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare condition that can lead to permanent vision loss.Jacques Pépin, 69, of Repentigny, Quebec, believes Ozempic played a role in the two strokes he suffered in his eyes over the past year.“I wouldn’t have taken it if I had known,” Pépin told Le Journal.He has now lost much of his sight and says he can no longer drive, read, or enjoy his favorite hobby — building model airplanes. “I break glasses, I have no balance,” he said, describing how the vision loss has upended his life.Health Canada has logged 10 cases of NAION and is currently “reviewing relevant preliminary information on the potential risk.” Novo Nordisk, the drug’s manufacturer, denies a causal link, though its European labels are being updated to include NAION as a potential adverse reaction.Balancing Benefits and RisksDespite the concerning data, experts caution against panic. Sherbrooke endocrinologist Dr. André Carpentier told Le Journal that while the list of side effects can seem alarming, the drug’s benefits, from controlling diabetes to protecting heart and kidney health, are significant and must be weighed carefully against the risks.“The link with Ozempic is difficult to establish beyond doubt,” Dr. Carpentier said, noting that certain complications, like sudden drops in blood sugar, can themselves trigger issues like vision problems.Health Canada continues to collect and analyze data, and experts stress that the key is proper prescription, patient education, and close monitoring. For patients like Mejia and Pépin, however, the damage is already done, and their stories are sparking calls for more transparency about what users can expect before starting these medications.

Is Ozempic Really Safe? Health Canada Logs Nearly 12,000 Side Secondary Effect Cases

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