Weight loss jabs have taken over the news, whether it is how quickly the drug runs out or new side effects people may be experiencing. Currently Ozempic is facing a 2 billion dollar lawsuit as many people are claiming that the weight loss drug left them with serious side effects like stomach paralysis, intestinal blockages and persistent vomiting.

GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro are all getting cleared of shelves, due to their simple ability to make a person lose weight.

Although it was initially made to treat type 2 diabetes, one of its properties, which is the ability to control hunger, made it wildly popular among those who wish to lose weight or have been struggling to do so.

Semaglutide is the component from Ozempic that gives it the weight loss property. One of the biggest concerns surrounding the weight loss drug is that although it was approved many aspects of it were unknown and still being researched on. As such, it wasn’t a big surprise when we started hearing about bizarre effects, that reportedly started after people started taking weight loss jabs.

Unexpected Side-Effects of Weight Loss Jabs

While weight loss was the expected effect of taking the GLP-1 medicine, people quickly started noticing that they were not just losing weight, but they were also experiencing changes in unexpected body parts. Here is a list of unexpected ways weight loss jabs change your body.

Ozempic Vulva

Some women have reported an unexpected loss of fat in the vulva, which can lead to a sagging appearance and discomfort. This side effect, often called "Ozempic vulva," can cause pain during activities like cycling or sitting. It's a surprising result of rapid weight loss and can be a source of physical and emotional distress for those affected.

Ozempic Smell

This term refers to a peculiar change in a person's sense of smell while on the medication. Some users have noticed a new, intense attraction to sweet scents, particularly those found in gourmand perfumes that smell like baked goods or desserts. This change may be a result of the drug's effect on the brain's reward centers, redirecting cravings from food to fragrance.

Also Read: Ozempic Stomach: Why Ozempic Consumers Are Suing This Popular Weigh-loss Drug For 2 Billion Over Stomach Paralysis

Ozempic Hair

Some studies like one published in the MedRxiv suggested that using Ozempic have experienced hair thinning or hair loss. While the drug itself isn't directly proven to cause it, the rapid weight loss it prompts can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, where hair follicles shed more than usual. This is often a temporary issue, but it can be emotionally difficult for those going through it.

Ozempic Mouth

Reports of Ozempic mouth were also noticed, experts explained that rapid weight loss from medications like Ozempic can cause people to lose fat in their face, leading to a condition some call "Ozempic mouth." This side effect results in new or deeper wrinkles around the mouth, sagging skin, and jowls, which can give a more aged look to the smile and lower face. This loss of volume can make existing lines appear worse.

Ozempic Face

According to Harvard Health rapid weight loss can cause the face to lose fat, leading to a sunken, gaunt, or aged appearance. This is often called "Ozempic face" and is a result of losing fat pads in the cheeks, temples, and under the eyes. This can cause the skin to sag and make wrinkles more prominent, leaving people looking older than they did before.

Ozempic Feet

The rapid loss of fat can also affect the feet. Some users have reported a loss of cushioning on the bottoms of their feet, which can lead to pain when walking or standing for long periods. This condition, referred to as "Ozempic feet," can make everyday activities uncomfortable and may require special padded footwear.

Ozempic Teeth

Some users have reported various dental issues, from chronic dry mouth to increased tooth decay. The medication's effect of slowing down digestion can lead to acid reflux, which erodes tooth enamel, and reduced saliva production, which increases the risk of cavities and gum disease.

Ozempic Appetite

Ozempic can change the way people feel about food, making certain foods they once loved now seem unappealing or even disgusting. This is particularly true for meat and fried foods. The drug affects the brain's reward system, making it less interested in the high-calorie foods it used to crave, essentially rewiring your brain's relationship with food.

Ozempic Blindness

Some new research suggests that in very rare cases, Ozempic and similar drugs might be linked to serious eye problems, including sudden blindness. A study published in the JAMA Ophthalmology found a few patients who experienced severe vision loss while on the medication, due to issues like a lack of blood flow to the nerves in the eye.

Is Ozempic Safe To Use?

As the lawsuit continues, people are worried whether they have to be worried about their health declining due to the weight loss drug. However, Novo Nordisk, the company that makes Ozempic, disagrees with these claims. They state the drug is safe if used correctly and that all medications have some risks. However, people suing the company argue that the full dangers were not shared, especially when the drug was used for weight loss, which it wasn't originally approved for.

Researchers from University College London (UCL) have found that quitting smoking may help slow age-related memory decline and protect brain health as we age. According to new research, people who quit smoking in middle age can significantly slow their cognitive decline, so much so that within a decade, their risk of developing dementia becomes nearly identical to those who have never smoked. The study adds to growing evidence that giving up cigarettes can protect brain health and delay age-related mental decline.

This One Step Can Lower Your Dementia Risk, Doctors Say

Published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, the study examined data from more than 9,400 adults aged 40 and older across 12 countries. The findings strengthen existing evidence that giving up cigarettes could reduce the risk of dementia, though experts note that further research is needed to understand the full impact of smoking cessation on cognitive health.

Researchers noted that while the link between smoking and poor cognitive health is well known, the long-term effects of quitting have been less certain. In this study, memory and verbal fluency tests showed that people who stopped smoking experienced a slower rate of decline in the six years following cessation.

Experts said the findings are especially important because middle-aged and older adults are often less inclined to quit, despite facing greater health risks. Demonstrating that quitting can also help preserve brain function, they added, could serve as a strong new reason for this group to give up smoking.

Data shows that smoking is most common among adults aged 25 to 34, with about 14 percent identifying as smokers, while only 8.2 percent of those over 65 reported smoking. Responding to the UCL study, Dr. Julia Dudley, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said smoking is tied to several major health risks, including cancer, heart disease, and dementia—particularly Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. She emphasized that quitting can greatly lower the likelihood of developing these conditions.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of symptoms that affect a person's ability to think, remember, and reason to the point that it interferes with daily life. It is not a normal part of aging, but is caused by damage to brain cells, which can result from conditions like Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, or Lewy body dementias. Symptoms include memory loss, confusion, difficulty with language and problem-solving, and changes in mood or behavior, and the condition worsens over time.

What Causes Dementia?

Dementia develops when diseases damage brain cells, disrupting how they communicate with one another. This breakdown in communication affects memory, thinking, behavior, and emotions. The brain is made up of different regions, each responsible for specific functions such as judgment, movement, and memory. When cells in a certain area are harmed, that part of the brain can no longer perform normally.

Each type of dementia is linked to damage in particular brain regions. In Alzheimer’s disease, for instance, an abnormal buildup of proteins inside and around brain cells prevents them from staying healthy and transmitting signals effectively. The hippocampus, responsible for learning and memory, is usually the first area affected, which is why memory loss tends to be one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s.

It has been five years since COVID first appeared, and over this period, case numbers have both surged and declined. Suruchi Sood, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, notes that some delays in COVID tracking by the Centers for Disease Control are partly due to the government shutdown. Based on the available data and her own clinical observations, she says, “We don’t seem to be seeing, thankfully, yet, an uptick of COVID.” However, she points out that another respiratory illness is currently gaining ground in the country.

Not Covid, But This Disease Is Spreading

Although COVID-19 cases are declining, many people are still experiencing congestion and sore throats. Dr. Steven Gordon, chairman of the Department of Infectious Disease at the Cleveland Clinic, noted that recent lab data from Northeast Ohio show SARS-CoV-2 activity continuing to fall from its summer peak, with last week’s COVID positivity rate at 5%.

At the same time, infections caused by rhinovirus, the common cold virus, and other enteroviruses have been rising, with a 20% positivity rate. While these numbers are specific to Northeast Ohio, they reflect broader trends reported by the CDC, which show increasing rhinovirus and enterovirus cases as of late September.

What Is Rhinovirus?

Rhinovirus is a widespread virus and the leading cause of the common cold, though it can also trigger other respiratory conditions such as asthma flare-ups, bronchitis, and pneumonia. It spreads through respiratory droplets, direct contact, or contaminated surfaces. While it usually affects the upper respiratory tract, it can sometimes cause infections in the lower respiratory system.

How Does Rhinovirus Spread?

Rhinovirus spreads in several ways, according to the CDC. It can be transmitted through respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The virus can also pass through direct person-to-person contact. In addition, rhinovirus can survive on surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, or other objects for several days, allowing it to spread when someone touches these contaminated surfaces.

How To Stay Safe From Rhinovirus?

As we approach the virus season, it’s important to take steps to protect your health, experts say. Dr. Steven Gordon emphasizes that prevention is better than treatment, recommending the flu shot for anyone older than six months as the most effective protection against influenza. Similarly, getting the COVID-19 vaccine remains the best way to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.

“With COVID and flu vaccines available, now is an ideal time to get vaccinated, as it takes several weeks for immunity to build,” said Dr. Suruchi Sood. Both vaccines can be administered at the same time and are widely available at pharmacies. It’s advisable to check with your doctor or local pharmacy about COVID shot eligibility in your area.

Maintaining overall health through regular exercise and a nutritious diet can also help defend against respiratory viruses, while frequent handwashing remains a simple but effective preventive measure. COVID vaccination continues to be a safe and effective way to lessen the severity of illness, with recent studies in the VA Health System showing that it reduced hospitalizations, deaths, and emergency visits even in the past season, Dr. Sood added.

A recently published study has drawn attention to a new and rather unexpected side effect linked to popular weight-loss medications.

Drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, originally developed for type 2 diabetes but now widely used for weight management, have seen a sharp rise in demand. A Kaiser Family Foundation survey released in May 2024 found that roughly one in eight American adults has used a GLP-1 drug.

However, as their use becomes more widespread, doctors are identifying additional side effects, one of which may complicate the results of certain medical scans.

Ozempic And Wegovy Users Are Reporting A Growing ‘Unusual’ Side Effect

Researchers at Alliance Medical, a European imaging services company, examined PET-CT scans of cancer patients who were using GLP-1 medications. In this type of scan, a patient is given an intravenous injection of a radioactive sugar compound called fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Because diseased cells consume more of the substance than healthy ones, the PET scanner highlights these areas as “hot spots,” as described by the Cleveland Clinic.

Often, PET and CT scans are done together, the CT providing X-ray–based images that, when combined with PET data, give doctors a detailed 3D view of the body.

According to findings presented in September at the Annual Congress of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, Alliance Medical researchers observed several abnormal FDG uptake patterns among patients using GLP-1 drugs. These irregularities could easily be mistaken for signs of disease if physicians are unaware of the patient’s medication use.

“We first saw an unexpected uptake pattern in one patient taking a GLP-1 agonist, which led us to conduct a broader review across our centers,” said Dr. Peter Strouhal, Medical Director at Alliance Medical, in a statement shared by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

If these scans are read incorrectly, patients could face unnecessary diagnostic procedures, inaccurate cancer staging, and potential delays in receiving the right treatment.

Other Side Effects Of Weight Loss Drugs

Many people who use GLP-1 medications experience digestive discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, or heartburn. The drugs are also known to carry risks like gallbladder disease, bone fractures, and, in some cases, pancreatitis.

Recently, however, new physical changes popularly referred to as “Ozempic vulva” and “Ozempic breasts” have begun drawing attention. Across social media, women have described noticeable changes since starting these injections, including sagging skin, vaginal dryness, weakened pelvic muscles, and occasionally an increase in discharge.

Though vaginal changes are not listed among the official side effects of GLP-1 drugs, specialists believe they may be connected to the rapid fat loss these medications cause. As body fat decreases, the natural fat pads that cushion and support vulvar tissue can diminish, leading to visible and functional changes.

“Ozempic breasts” is a term used to describe changes in breast size or shape that occur after significant weight loss from GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Many women report reduced volume, increased sagging, and, in some cases, tenderness as their body fat percentage drops.