Weight loss jab users complain of new ‘shrinking finger’ side effect

The surge in popularity of new weight loss injections is leading to an unexpected outcome: a phenomenon being referred to as ‘shrinking finger’.

The injections, which will now be available on the NHS and are sold under brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, have been found effective in facilitating significant weight loss.

Originally used as an antidiabetic medication, they’ve recently gained attention as a new diet tool and work by simulating the effects of a hormone, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which controls the appetite, thus reducing hunger and food consumption.

But some users of Semaglutide injections are experiencing what’s now being called ‘Ozempic finger’, according to a report in the New York Post.

This side effect results from rapid weight loss, including fat reduction in the fingers, causing rings to become too loose and in some cases, fall off completely.

‘Ozempic finger’ isn’t the only side effect, however. Other users have reported extreme weight loss results in facial fat reduction, leading to a thinner-looking face.

Semaglutide has been approved for NHS use in the UK by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, recommending it to people with at least one weight-related health condition or a body mass index (BMI) nearing the upper end of the obesity range. 

According to Ozempic, the drug can ‘lead to possible thyroid tumours, cancer, pancreatitis, changes in vision, serious allergic reactions, kidney problems and gallbladder issues’.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, and constipation.

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