Does Ozempic cause insomnia?

In this article:

• Does Ozempic cause insomnia?
• Why does Ozempic cause insomnia?
• How to prevent Ozempic insomnia
• Other Ozempic side effects
• When to see your healthcare provider about Ozempic insomnia

In this article

• Does Ozempic cause insomnia?
• Why does Ozempic cause insomnia?
• How to prevent Ozempic insomnia
• Other Ozempic side effects
• When to see your healthcare provider about Ozempic insomnia

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a brand-name injectable medication that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (such as heart attack, stroke, or death) in adults with Type 2 diabetes and known cardiovascular disease. It is part of a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help control blood glucose, reduce the risk of heart disease, and encourage weight loss by suppressing appetite. 

When taken as prescribed, Ozempic is considered a safe, effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes. It is especially helpful for people with Type 2 diabetes who want to lose weight. In fact, its weight loss side effect is why it has become so popularly prescribed off-label for weight loss. It does cause some unwanted side effects, though—most notably gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. There have also been anecdotal reports of insomnia as a side effect, although the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, does not list it as a known adverse effect. 

Keep reading to find out why you might be experiencing insomnia while on Ozempic and what to do about it. 

Does Ozempic cause insomnia?

There is no scientific evidence that Ozempic causes insomnia. While some people do experience sleeplessness while on Ozempic, “many patients have also reported an improved sleep quality on semaglutide,” says Raj Singh, MD, a primary care provider at HEALOR and medical director at RAREV Medical Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada.  

There has not been much research on whether Ozempic causes insomnia because it is not a commonly reported problem. Clinical trials for Wegovy, a weight loss drug with the same active ingredient, semaglutide, found that insomnia rates were roughly the same in semaglutide groups versus placebo groups. This finding suggests that semaglutide does not cause insomnia, since the inactive placebo treatment group had the same experience with sleep.\

Still, rumors about ‘Ozempic insomnia’ have circulated on social media channels like TikTok, Facebook, and Reddit. A recent survey of social media users’ perceptions of GLP-1 inhibitors found that out of 12,136 Reddit comments, 14,515 YouTube videos, and 17,059 TikTok videos about GLP-1 medications (including Ozempic), 5% included the word “insomnia.”

“This does not qualify as a rigorously randomized controlled trial (RCT),” emphasizes Jodie Pepin, Pharm.D., clinical pharmacy program director at Harbor Health. In other words, it’s not airtight research. The percentage of comments mentioning insomnia in relation to Ozempic is also not unusually high. Up to 40% of Americans experience insomnia symptoms at some point each year.

Ultimately, some people get good sleep on Ozempic, and some people don’t. It is still unclear whether Ozempic causes an increased risk or incidence of insomnia. “I am not ruling out a link or an indirect link between semaglutide and insomnia. Further investigation and strong clinical evidence should be part of this, not social media posts,” Dr. Pepin says. 

Why does Ozempic cause insomnia?

Insomnia does not seem to be a direct effect of Ozempic, but that doesn’t mean someone on Ozempic can’t have insomnia. There are many reasons people have trouble sleeping. Perhaps the most probable cause is having the health condition Ozempic is designed to treat: Type 2 diabetes.

“Insomnia is common in patients who have diabetes,” Dr. Singh says. However, he says that as Ozempic starts to improve insulin resistance, sleep quality should also improve.

“Food, alcohol, and other drugs that might interact with semaglutide can also add to sleeping difficulties,” Dr. Pepin says. She says the gastrointestinal side effects of Ozempic might keep people up at night as well, whether it’s nausea after eating, or heartburn or diarrhea throughout the evening. 

And then there are the hidden changes: hormones, brain chemicals, and blood sugar levels. Dr Pepin says sleep quality may be affected while your body adjusts to the changes in cortisol levels and metabolism. Finally, she says that hypoglycemia, a side effect of Ozempic, “can cause sweating, shaking, and anxiety, all of which negatively influence sleep quality.” Hypoglycemia with Ozempic is typically only seen when it is used in conjunction with other diabetes medications, like sulfonylureas and insulins.

Dr. Singh also points to limited research suggesting that semaglutide might increase levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and acetylcholine (ACh) in certain circumstances. These two neurotransmitters play a role in sleep. However, if Ozempic does increase these neurotransmitter levels, the result would be better sleep—not insomnia. “Further research is imperative,” Dr. Singh says.

How to prevent Ozempic insomnia

Recommendations for managing the gastrointestinal side effects of Ozempic might also mitigate sleep issues. Dr. Pepin and Dr. Singh both recommend avoiding alcohol. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can also promote restful sleep while optimizing digestion.

Dr. Pepin offers a few suggestions for improving sleep hygiene, whether you’re taking semaglutide or not:

• Keep a consistent bedtime and wake time, even on the weekends.
• Reduce screen time in the evenings.
• Keep the bedroom cool. Between 65 and 69 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for sleep.
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and heavy meals close to bedtime.
• Use black-out shades at night.
• Expose yourself to natural daylight for five to 10 minutes first thing in the morning to help regulate your circadian rhythm.

Some individuals with sleep issues on Ozempic might wonder whether it’s best to switch medications. That’s a conversation best had with a healthcare professional who knows your medical history, conditions, and other medications you may be taking. Although there are Ozempic alternatives that aren’t linked to insomnia, it’s important to remember that Ozempic is not known to cause insomnia either. Likewise, adjusting Ozempic dosage is unlikely to prevent or help since insomnia isn’t a known side effect of Ozempic. 

If Dr. Pepin’s suggested lifestyle changes don’t improve sleep, ask your healthcare provider whether they recommend any over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription sleep aids that do not interfere with Ozempic. Melatonin, a dietary sleep supplement, is considered generally safe, but it’s important to ask your healthcare provider before starting any new medications.

Other Ozempic side effects

Ozempic is not without potential side effects. The most common side effects of Ozempic are gastrointestinal issues. In clinical trials, more than 5% of Ozempic users experienced nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or constipation with Ozempic. These often improve with lifestyle changes such as increasing hydration and cutting back on fatty or sugary foods. 

More serious Ozempic side effects include kidney problems, pancreatitis, thyroid tumors, and gallstones or gallbladder inflammation. Serious allergic reactions may also occur. If you experience any severe or concerning side effects while on Ozempic, alert your healthcare provider or seek urgent medical attention.

When to see your healthcare provider about Ozempic insomnia

Anyone on Ozempic who is struggling to fall asleep and stay asleep more than three nights per week should tell their healthcare provider. No matter the cause, insomnia poses a very real health risk. The National Institutes of Health warns that insomnia can affect memory and concentration. Chronic insomnia, defined as insomnia that occurs more than three nights per week for three months, can even increase a person’s risk for high blood pressure and heart disease.

Insomnia treatment may involve a mix of lifestyle changes and OTC or prescription sleep aids. It’s important to ask for help because, on top of affecting your mental health, insomnia can disrupt your blood sugar levels, undermining the effectiveness of Ozempic.