Injectible weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic can be life-changing for patients who have struggled to lose weight yet some people have reported side effects.
In 2024, about 5 per cent of Britons had used medications known under brand names such as Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro. These drugs work by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 to slow down digestion and lower appetite, which can lead to significant weight loss.
But as weight-loss drugs surge in popularity users have reported unexpected side effects, spanning gastrointestinal problems, changes in sex drive and reduced addictive behaviour.
Now, reports have emerged of another unexpected side effect of the weight-loss drug: Ozempic feet.
What is Ozempic feet and how worried should patients be?
What is Ozempic feet?
In recent months, the term “Ozempic face” (describing the visible effects of rapid weight loss on the skin) has become mainstream. But according to Dr Ross Perry, GP and medical director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, now “Ozempic feet” is “emerging as another potential side effect gaining attention”.
“Much like the face, the feet can experience sagging, wrinkling and a loss of the usual taut, smooth appearance due to a significant reduction in body fat,” he said.
“In more extreme cases, particularly in individuals who were previously overweight, this can even result in excess skin or folds developing around the feet.”
Taking Ozempic has even been linked with a change in shoe size, “either because of the reduced fat volume or shifting bone structure once the cushioning is lost”, Dr Esho, an aesthetic doctor and the founder of Cultskin, told the Standard.
“Shoes that once fit snugly now feel loose or uncomfortable, which can further impact posture and gait.”
What causes Ozempic feet?
According to Dr Esho, Ozempic can cause changes in the feet due to weight loss, leading to a “sudden loss of fat padding in the soles”.
The fat padding in our feet cushions and absorbs impact when we walk. “When that volume suddenly disappears, it can feel like you’re walking on bone,” he said. “Patients report soreness, burning and even difficulty standing for long periods.”
As well as this, when fat pads get smaller, they can change in appearance, said Ed Robinson, a cosmetic aesthetics doctor. “The tendons and veins start to get more visible, making you look older,” he said.
How common is it?
It is unclear exactly how common Ozempic feet is. According to Dr Naveed Asif at the London General Practice, data on feet-associated side effects of Ozempic is limited but he believes “this will change over the coming years as we gain more long-term insight and data into semaglutide”.
Already, medical professionals are beginning to wonder whether Ozempic feet are being underdiagnosed. This could be because people are scrutinising the appearance of their feet less than other parts of their body, such as the face or neck, or, as Dr Esho puts it, patients may not “connect the dots between their foot discomfort and their weight loss treatment”.
Should patients be worried?
Doctors said that people should seek medical help if they experience a change in sensation in their feet, such as pain or numbness. Swelling and skin changes such as rashes or sores also require attention.
“In rare cases – particularly in people with diabetes and long-term high blood sugars – GLP-1 medications can cause blood sugar levels to drop quickly. This may trigger what’s known as ‘treatment-induced neuropathy’, which is a form of nerve damage. Symptoms may include tingling, numbness, burning, shooting pain or altered sensation in the feet,” said Dr David Huang, director of clinical innovation at Voy.
However, he emphasises that Ozempic can also have a positive impact on the feet. “With less weight to carry, there's reduced pressure on the feet, often leading to noticeable improvements in pain and mobility,” he said. “When it comes to feet and long-term health, the good in most cases far outweighs the negatives.”
How is it treated?
According to Dr David Huang, “staying well hydrated and following routines that support skin quality and elasticity” such as using hyaluronic acid can help enhance the appearance of feet.
If patients are experiencing discomfort or pain in their feet, Dr Esho recommends using supportive footwear or orthotic insoles or getting a podiatry referral. “In more advanced cases, I’ve explored aesthetic solutions like dermal filler injections or fat grafting to restore volume and comfort in the soles a technique adapted from facial volumisation,” he said.
“But, ultimately, prevention matters: a gradual, medically supervised approach to weight loss is key to avoiding complications like this.”
