Ozempic and weed: Can you mix the two?

Combining cannabis and semaglutide (Ozempic), a common prescription medication for type 2 diabetes, may increase your risk of certain side effects, including dizziness.

If you use cannabis and Ozempic, it’s important to know how they might interact with one another and stay aware of any potential negative effects. Ozempic and weed also have opposite effects on appetite, which may play a role in how you feel after consuming both.

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What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a prescription medication that helps reduce blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes.

Ozempic can also be prescribed to:

• Decrease the risk of major heart issues, like heart attack or stroke, in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease
• Aid in weight loss by reducing appetite

Ozempic is administered through an injection under the skin on a weekly basis.

How does Ozempic work?

Ozempic belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic mimic a hormone in your gut that’s released into your bloodstream after eating. This helps to:

• Lower your blood sugar levels by increasing insulin production
• Prevent your liver from producing too much glucose, therefore reducing blood sugar
• Slow down digestion to make you feel full for longer, which can help decrease your appetite

Ozempic has some commonly reported side effects, such as:

• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation

In rare cases, Ozempic may cause severe side effects, including kidney damage and changes to your vision.

Your doctor will establish a dosing plan for you that helps minimize these side effects.

Is it safe to mix Ozempic and weed?

Because Ozempic is a relatively new medication, there’s limited research on how it may interact with cannabis.

Anecdotally, some users have reported that combining them increases dizziness and intensifies the intoxicating effects of cannabis.

Cannabis can act as an appetite stimulant, which may counteract the appetite-suppressing effects of Ozempic.

Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of Ozempic. Some people find that low doses of cannabis help ease nausea. However, high doses may worsen it over time. In rare cases, heavy cannabis use can lead to cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a condition that causes severe vomiting.

Before taking cannabis with Ozempic, ask your doctor or a Leafwell pharmacist for safety guidance.

Can I take CBD and Ozempic?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis that may help with some health conditions, such as:

• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Pain
• Inflammation

No research shows that CBD directly interacts with Ozempic. However, that doesn’t mean that an interaction doesn’t exist. Ask your healthcare team whether or not it’s safe for you to mix the two.

How to use Ozempic and weed together

If you’re taking Ozempic, ask your doctor about how to combine it with cannabis safely. They may be able to help you develop a dosing plan that reduces the risk of potential interactions.

Additionally, consider these general safety tips:

• Start with a low dose of cannabis: When starting Ozempic, use only a low dose of cannabis and wait to see how you feel. Increase your cannabis dose gradually as needed until you reach your desired results.
• Consider your other medications: Speak with your doctor if you’re taking other medications. Some medications may interact with cannabis and Ozempic, increasing the risk of certain side effects.

The takeaway: It’s most likely safe to mix Ozempic and marijuana

There are no well-documented serious interactions between cannabis and Ozempic, but research is limited. Combining them may increase the risk of certain side effects, including dizziness.

If you’re prescribed Ozempic, ask your doctor or a Leafwell pharmacist for guidance on using it alongside cannabis safely.

Resources

• Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19367510/
• Cannabinoids and appetite: Food craving and food pleasure. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19367510/
• Ozempic (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/209637lbl.pdf

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