Can Ozempic cause heart palpitations?

In this article:

• What to know about Ozempic and heart palpitations
• Causes and risk factors
• How to manage and treat heart palpitations
• Alternatives to Ozempic

In this article

• What to know about Ozempic and heart palpitations
• Causes and risk factors
• How to manage and treat heart palpitations
• Alternatives to Ozempic

Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide, which is a medication that’s FDA approved to treat high blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes. It is also often prescribed off-label as a weight loss medication, even in patients with normal blood sugars. Ozempic is a type of medication called a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist (GLP-1) and is only given by injection.

If you are taking Ozempic and notice symptoms of heart palpitations, fast heart rate, heart flutters, or irregular heartbeats, you might be wondering: Can Ozempic cause heart palpitations? The good news is that heart palpitations are uncommon side effects of Ozempic, and if you are experiencing them, they can be managed.

What to know about Ozempic and heart palpitations 

While some people get heart palpitations while taking Ozempic, it’s not very common. Additionally, this symptom is not found in medical literature about the medication or in clinical trials. For example, it’s not listed as a side effect in the FDA’s 2025 prescribing information.

“As a pain management doctor, I see a lot of patients taking Ozempic, whether for diabetes, weight loss, or both,” says Sean Ormond, MD, dual board-certified in anesthesiology and interventional pain management physician at Atlas Pain Specialists. Like any other medication, Ozempic has side effects, Dr. Ormond says. But heart palpitations aren’t typically one of them.

Still, heart palpitations can happen when people take Ozempic. “Some people on Ozempic notice their heart skipping beats, racing, or fluttering, especially when they first start taking it or after a dose increase,” Dr. Ormond describes. “Most people don’t have this issue, but for those who do, it can feel unsettling.”

According to Hosam Hmoud, MD, cardiology fellow at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital, while the research and clinical trials we have so far on Ozempic and other GLP-1s don’t include heart palpitations or arrhythmias as side effects, some studies have actually shown the opposite. “There has been a growing body of literature demonstrating the protective and mitigating effects of GLP-1RA for significant arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation,” Dr. Hmoud shares.

One example of this is a meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine in 2022. This study found that GLP-1s may be linked to a reduced risk of arrhythmias, especially among people with Type 2 diabetes who have myocardial infarctions (heart attacks).

Causes and risk factors

There are several possible reasons why someone may experience heart palpitations while taking Ozempic. According to Dr. Ormond, one possible reason is that Ozempic affects digestion, which can impact the nervous system, and in turn, the heart. “It also impacts blood sugar and hydration levels, which can sometimes trigger palpitations,” Dr. Ormond describes.

Additionally, Dr. Hmoud notes, people who take Ozempic may have underlying health conditions that may cause heart palpitations, independent of Ozempic use. 

“It’s important to consider that patients taking GLP1-RA may have other comorbidities that can contribute to palpitations/arrhythmias such as GI symptoms leading to electrolyte imbalances, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and a weakened heart muscle (heart failure),” says Dr. Hmoud. “Whenever I see a patient for suspected arrhythmias or frequent palpitations, I always check their blood work to ensure normal electrolyte balances and organ function as well as heart function with a cardiac sonogram (echocardiogram).”

What about drug interactions? As Dr. Ormond explains, use of stimulants, certain blood pressure medications, or thyroid medications might increase the risk of experiencing heart palpitations while taking Ozempic. The higher the dose of Ozempic you take, the greater the risk.

How to manage and treat heart palpitations

When it comes to managing heart palpitations while taking Ozempic, each person is unique. You should seek medical advice from your healthcare provider about your specific situation.

That said, you may not need to stop taking Ozempic if you experience heart palpitations. “I would not change the dosage or stop a GLP1-RA in the setting of arrhythmias or palpitations,” Dr. Hmoud says. “I would first obtain a detailed patient history, blood work, echocardiogram, and medication reconciliation to identify more common causes of palpitations/arrhythmias.”

Additionally, making some lifestyle changes may be helpful in this situation. “Staying hydrated, making sure your electrolytes (like potassium and magnesium) are in check, and cutting back on caffeine and alcohol can help,” Dr. Ormond says. Since stress can also be a big trigger for heart palpitations, taking time to destress, or engaging in practices like meditation and relaxation exercises, can help.

If your doctor recommends it, it may also make sense to wait patiently. If your heart palpitations are mild and only occur occasionally, they may decrease as your body adjusts to the medication, Dr. Ormond says.

“But if they keep happening, get worse, or come with dizziness, chest pain, or shortness of breath, call your doctor,” he advises. “You might need a dose adjustment, a medication switch, or some tests to make sure nothing else is going on.”

 Alternatives to Ozempic

Although unlikely, in some cases, your doctor may advise you to stop Ozempic altogether. But that doesn’t mean you have to stop taking Type 2 diabetes medication or weight loss medication.

Some Ozempic alternatives to consider include, according to Dr. Ormond: 

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide), is a newer subcutaneous medication in the same class as Ozempic, and one that some people tolerate better. 

• Other similar drugs, like Trulicity (dulaglutide) and Victoza (liraglutide), work in slightly different ways. 

• For weight loss, metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors (like Jardiance), or appetite suppressants could be alternatives.

Above all, the best Ozempic alternative depends on your health history, so it’s vital to seek medical help from your doctor to find the best option for you.