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What are ‘Ozempic feet’? Doctors warn of surprising weight-loss side effect
NewsNation • • health
Key Points:
- Podiatrists have observed a side effect dubbed “Ozempic feet” in patients using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, where rapid weight loss causes feet to appear bonier and looser due to fat tissue reduction.
- This condition is not officially listed as a common side effect but can lead to visible veins and tendons, heel pain, burning sensations, and changes in shoe size, which may cause functional problems such as blisters and ulcers.
- Patients have reported going down a full shoe size or experiencing a change from wide to narrow feet, raising concerns beyond aesthetics, especially for those with diabetes who are at risk of serious wounds.
- Prevention strategies include increasing protein intake, strengthening foot muscles, and engaging in low-impact strength and resistance training to mitigate fat-pad loss and improve skin appearance on the feet.
