Ozempic and many of the other similar weigh loss drugs have proven to be genuinely life changing for many, allowing them to transform their body in a relatively short period of time, yet it appears to have a side effect that might make you think twice about taking the plunge.
Losing weight can be difficult, as you don't always have time to exercise and eating healthily can be both a challenge and unappealing for some. While the dangers of unhealthy food are clear, and the benefits of exercise - especially on the extreme end - are evident, sometimes you need a bit of a helping hand to get you started.
Until recently that no doubt would have been a diet of some form, fad or otherwise, but the rapid popularity of GLP-1 inhibitors and semaglutide, known more commonly through drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Monjouro, has provided people with an incredibly attractive alternative.
These drugs, designed primarily for individuals with Type-2 diabetes, essentially convince your brain that you don't need to eat as much by leveling out your blood sugar readings and slowing down your digestive process, which then in turn leads to rapid weight loss.
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However, it does come with some potentially nasty side effects which might take you reconsider whether the process is worth it. Most commonly patients experience bouts of nausea, and this can even extend to diarrhea as shown in a disturbing simulation.
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One somewhat underestimated side effect has become quite a talking point in online weight loss communities though, as the rise of what's known as 'Ozempic breath' has began to worry many.
As shared by one suffering individual on the r/Ozempic subreddit, this particular side effect can be difficult and embarrassing to deal with, especially if you didn't realize it would have the potential to occur.
"My partner very sweetly mentioned last night that over the last few weeks my breath has been a bit off," wrote the concerned Ozempic taker. "He did some research and said it can be a side effect of Ozempic. I've been on Ozempic for about 7 weeks, having increased by dose to .5 three weeks ago. Has anyone else experienced this," adding also that they have "great dental hygene," so that's not a concern.
Comments underneath the post come up with a number of potential reasons why this particular person might now be experiencing bad breath, including it being a side effect of eating and drinking less instead of the drug itself, alongside 'sulphur burps' that come as a consequence of hearburn or overeating.
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These guesses aren't too far off the mark either, as while Ozempic breath isn't officially recognized as a side effect of the drug, experts have clearly linked it to how the drug effects your body.
As revealed by Atlantic Gastroenterology, 'Ozempic breath' is likely caused by the drug's ability to slow down the process of gastric emptying in your stomach.
While your stomach typically processes food in a matter of hours, while on drugs like Ozempic this is greatly extended and can even stretch beyond a day. As a consequence, food breaks down and ferments inside your stomach, which can lead to burps and bad breath that carry the smell of the food still lurking inside your body.
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Although this is simply a byproduct of the drug's intended purpose when it comes to weight loss, doctors have revealed that changing both your eating habits and the food that you consume can lower the risk of smelly breath.
For example, eating dinner earlier, especially before bed, and opting for a healthier diet of fruit and vegetables that skips the fattier foods you might be consuming reduces the chance that any food left over will spread that bad odor back up through your mouth.