Why Ozempic users should be extra careful during heatwaves

Talk about melting the weight off.

Summer may be filled with beach days and barbecues, but it can also bring blistering temperatures.

This week, millions of Americans — including New Yorkers — are bracing for what forecasters are calling a “very sweaty” heatwave.

And people who are on weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro need to be on particularly high alert amidst the high degrees.

That’s because these drugs work by suppressing appetite, which means they can wind up curbing thirst as well.

This, in turn, can unwittingly lead to dehydration — a dangerous condition that can cause dizziness, headaches, low blood pressure, blurred vision, kidney problems and, in extreme cases, fatal heatstroke.

Since eating normally stimulates saliva flow, eating less while on Ozempic can mean less stimulation to the salivary glands, which can in turn lead to dry mouth — another symptom of dehydration left unchecked.

And if you’ve heard about Ozempic teeth, you know some of the most common side effects of GLP-1s pose their own dangers during a heatwave.

“You’ll need to be extra careful about hydration during hot weather as these medications often cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea — all of which can lead to fluid loss,” nutritional therapist Deborah Grayson told The Daily Mail.

“This is particularly important for new users of the weight loss medication, whose bodies are still adjusting.”

To remain vigilant, Grayson recommends the following:

• Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty
• Put a timer on to remind you to hydrate
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine
• Avoid being outdoors during peak heat hours
• Eat easy-to-digest foods such as those on the BRAT diet

In addition to suppressing thirst and potentially inducing vomiting/diarrhea, GLP-1s could mess with your body’s ability to regulate body temperature, making it harder to tolerate heat.

This is all the more reason to drink lots of water — sprinkle some electrolytes into the mix to stay hydrated longer.

Use urine as your barometer — light yellow means you’re in the clear, whereas darker colors are a bad sign.

And avoid physical exertion, especially outside.

It might be excruciatingly hot, but perhaps the heatwave is a good excuse to stay on your Ozempic butt for a bit.