Do Users of Ozempic Face a Higher Risk of Blood Clots?

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the use of Ozempic, a prescription medication commonly prescribed to manage diabetes and assist with weight loss. However, with its rising popularity, questions regarding its safety, specifically concerning the risk of blood clots, have surfaced. This article aims to shed light on whether users of Ozempic face a higher risk of blood clots, identify potential causes, and offer strategies to mitigate these risks.

Can Ozempic Lead To Blood Clots?

Ozempic, formulated with semaglutide, functions by mimicking a hormone that targets areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation. This, in turn, helps decrease hunger and promote feelings of fullness. While originally FDA-approved to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, its benefits in weight loss have garnered significant attention (1,2).

Regarding the risk of blood clots, current clinical data does not explicitly list thromboembolic events (blood clots) as a common side effect of Ozempic (1,2). However, a meta-analysis reviewed two significant studies and found that patients on semaglutide faced a significantly increased risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), as high as 266%. DVT can be very dangerous as the clots can break off and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism, which can be deadly (3).

However, it's essential to note that individuals with type 2 diabetes are inherently at a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases, including blood clots, compared to the general population (1,4). This is tied to the impact of diabetes on blood flow, which can increase the likelihood of clot formation. 

Identifying the Causes of Blood Clots

The pathophysiology behind blood clots in patients with diabetes and Ozempic users is complex and multifaceted. Several factors contribute to this increased risk:

• Chronic inflammation: Diabetes is associated with higher levels of systemic inflammation, which can damage blood vessels and increase the likelihood of clot formation (5).
• Impaired blood flow: High blood sugar levels can lead to thickening blood vessel walls, reducing blood flow and enhancing the risk of clot formation (4).
• Platelet dysfunction: Diabetes can also cause changes in how platelets (the blood cells involved in clotting) work, making them more likely to form clots (4).
• Dehydration: As Ozempic has also been shown to elevate the risk of diarrhea, users are at increased risk for dehydration, which can heighten blood viscosity, leading to blood clots (i.e., DVT) (1,2,3).

While Ozempic does not directly cause these conditions, they are possible reasons why clotting may arise in users, especially when existing health conditions, such as diabetes, are present.

Strategies to Mitigate the Risk of Blood Clots 

For individuals using Ozempic, particularly those with additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease, it's crucial to adopt strategies to minimize the risk of blood clots:

• Regular monitoring: Engage in regular check-ups with your healthcare provider to monitor your health while on Ozempic. Your provider will work with you to reduce your risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event. They will do this by managing your medications and discussing lifestyle interventions with you so that you can stay on top of your health goals, which may include treating high cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, or better managing blood sugar.  These are all important variables that may contribute to your risk for blood clots (4). Additionally, as someone on Ozempic, they can help ensure that you meet your weight loss goals to support your overall health and well-being.
• Healthy lifestyle: Incorporate a balanced diet and regular physical activity to help manage weight and improve cardiovascular health.
• Smoking cessation: Avoid smoking, as it significantly contributes to cardiovascular risks and clot formation (4).

Key Takeaways On GLP-1 Treatments For Health

In conclusion, while Ozempic has not been proven to directly increase the risk of blood clots, particularly those with underlying risk factors such as type 2 diabetes should be mindful of their overall health and proactive in implementing risk-reducing strategies. Always consult with a healthcare provider to discuss any medication's benefits and potential risks.

Don't navigate your weight loss path alone. Join Mochi Health for access to exclusive obesity medicine support, including GLP-1 medication options and obesity medicine experts dedicated to your success. Find out if you're eligible for our program today.

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Sources: 

1. Wilding, J. P. H., Batterham, R. L., Calanna, S., Davies, M., Van Gaal, L. F., Lingvay, I., McGowan, B. M., Rosenstock, J., Tran, M. T. D., Wadden, T. A., Wharton, S., Yokote, K., Zeuthen, N., Kushner, R. F., & STEP 1 Study Group (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England journal of medicine, 384(11), 989–1002. https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed
2. Food and Drug Administration. Ozempic (semaglutide) injection prescribing information, revised 2020. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/209637s003lbl.pdf
3. Yin, D. G., Ding, L. L., Zhou, H. R., Qiu, M., & Duan, X. Y. (2021). Comprehensive analysis of the safety of semaglutide in type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of the SUSTAIN and PIONEER trials. Endocrine journal, 68(6), 739–742. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/endocrj/68/6/68_EJ21-0129/_article
4. Martín-Timón, I., Sevillano-Collantes, C., Segura-Galindo, A., & Del Cañizo-Gómez, F. J. (2014). Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: Have all risk factors the same strength?. World journal of diabetes, 5(4), 444–470. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4127581/

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