"Ozempic Feet": What It Means and Why It’s Happening

If you're anything like Virta member Jack, you want to get healthier so you can return to the activities you love most—like stickball for Jack. People who spend lots of time on their feet, whether for recreation or work, understand how important it is to keep their bodies functioning at their best. That's why the new changes people are reporting while taking certain GLP-1 medications have become so concerning.

Introducing "Ozempic feet." While it’s not a medical term, it’s something many people are searching for these days to describe changes to how people's feet look and feel while taking semaglutide medications. But what is Ozempic feet exactly? Here's what you should know about how GLP-1-related weight loss affects your feet, why it happens, and what you can do about it.

What Is "Ozempic Feet?"

The term Ozempic feet refers to the changes that some people experience in their feet while taking medications like Ozempic or Wegovy. They may note that they feel as if they experienced a flattening of their feet or an overall loss of volume in their feet. And because of this, they may report discomfort or even pain while walking or standing.

But why is this happening?

Simple: medication-induced weight loss occurs throughout the entire body, and not just in targeted areas. This means that areas that individuals may wish to maintain fullness, such as in their rear, face, or even feet may also decrease in size while on the medication. 

Ozempic feet symptoms to watch for

If you're still wondering "does Ozempic affect feet?," here are key symptoms to keep an eye on.:

• Rapid fat loss in feet causing visible changes in foot shape
• Reduced natural padding of the feet
• Numbness, tingling, soreness, pain when walking
• Cold or discolored feet, which may indicate poor circulation

Why Might Ozempic Affect Your Feet?

There are a few different reasons why Ozempic feet happens, but the most direct answer is that Ozempic and other GLP-1s affect your feet because medicinal weight loss is non-discriminatory. This means your body chooses where fat is lost first, and this often includes areas you might not have even considered losing weight—like your feet!

Additionally, similar to what we see in other parts of the body—such as your face—rapid weight loss leads to looseness of the skin and sagging. And while this may be easier to hide in shoes than a sagging face or a drooping derriere, skin loss or sagging skin on the feel can lead to discomfort that you’re stuck dealing with. 

Though, beyond cosmetic changes, some people wonder “can Ozempic trigger neuropathy?”. In fact, people with diabetes already face increased risks of peripheral neuropathy, so it's important to distinguish between diabetes-related complications and medication side effects. Because the relationship between GLP-1 medications and nerve-related symptoms is still being studied, if you’re concerned about this, it is important to speak with your doctor who understands your individual health issue.

What to Do If You’re Experiencing Ozempic Feet

If you're noticing changes to your feet while taking Ozempic, it’s important to monitor your symptoms and talk with your providers on how to proceed. Specifically, you should,

Talk to your healthcare provider: Contact your doctor if you experience persistent pain, numbness, tingling, or significant changes in foot appearance while taking a GLP-1.

Consider support options, such as new footwear: Invest in well-cushioned shoes that are supportive to compensate for lost natural foot padding. You may also want to consider custom orthotics if needed.

Track any symptoms you may be experiencing: If you’re worried about Ozempic feet or other side effects, keep a journal in which you can document when symptoms occur and their severity. Then, share this with your healthcare provider.

The Takeaway

Remember, medications aren’t your only option to manage diabetes, weight loss, and live a healthier lifestyle. By making healthy lifestyle changes with medical support, you can regain control of your health and feel like yourself again without having to worry about things like Ozempic feet! See if you’re eligible for Virta Health here.