‘Ozempic mouth’ is latest side effect of fat jabs that can strike in WEEKS – but which stars are paying the price?
IT’S the miracle fat jab famous for enabling users to quickly and easily shed the pounds – but the latest side effect could leave many with a look they didn’t expect.
With the incredible weight loss associated with new drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, a whole host of unwanted health side effects have been seen too – one being ‘Ozempic mouth’.
Others include ‘Ozempic face’, ‘Ozempic butt’ and ‘Ozempic neck’ – but the effect on users’ mouths sees hollowing skin appear as fat is lost from the lower face.
Weight loss jabs are all the rage right now and have helped people lose the pounds at unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases.
They work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight.
And, as with any medication, side effects are common but most are relatively mild.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues for example, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea – and there are visible appearance-related side effects too.
Aesthetics expert Dr Ed Robinson says: “Ozempic is undeniably effective when it comes to weight loss.
Ozempic mouth is the latest side effect doing the rounds from the ‘skinny jab’ craze and it’s not exactly flattering. Think sunken cheeks, saggy jowls, deeper lines around the mouth
Dr Olya Vorodukhina
“It works by suppressing appetite and improving blood sugar regulation, which can lead to dramatic results in a short period of time.
“But with such rapid weight loss, we’re increasingly seeing aesthetic side effects — notably ‘Ozempic face’, ‘Ozempic neck’, and now, what’s being referred to as ‘Ozempic mouth’.
“‘Ozempic mouth’ describes the hollowing and skin laxity that can occur around the mouth as fat is lost from the lower face.
“This can lead to deeper nasolabial folds (laughter lines), more prominent marionette lines (the vertical wrinkles that extend from the corners of the mouth down towards the chin), and downturned corners of the mouth.
“It often creates a tired or prematurely aged appearance.
“These changes can be quite stark, especially in patients who have lost a significant amount of weight quickly, as the skin struggles to keep up with the changing facial structure.
“We’re beginning to see visible changes around the mouth in certain celebrities who’ve spoken publicly about their Ozempic use, including Sharon Osbourne, Oprah Winfrey and Kathy Bates.
“Their before-and-after photos show flatter cheeks, more pronounced fine lines and deeper facial folds, particularly in the lower face.”
Sharon Osbourne, 72, admitted to using the drug back in 2023 in order to shed 42 pounds – although she no longer takes it, after revealing she actually lost more weight than she initially aimed for.
She said she “could do with putting on a few pounds,” adding: “It’s just time to stop, I didn’t actually want to go this thin but it just happened.”
Dr Olya Vorodukhina, founder of Angels Twelve clinic, says: “‘Ozempic mouth’ is the latest side effect doing the rounds from the skinny jab craze and it’s not exactly flattering.
‘Deflated and gaunt’
“You can see the effect on people such as Sharon Osbourne, who has openly admitted to taking Ozempic and being dismayed by the physical effect on her face.
“The name’s a bit misleading in that it’s not the mouth itself that changes, but the area around it.
“Think sunken cheeks, saggy jowls, deeper lines around the mouth, and an overall drawn, tired look. Basically, it can make you look much older, fast.
“Your body doesn’t just drop fat from your tummy or thighs, it burns it from your face too.
“Particularly if you’re over 40, your skin might not bounce back, leaving your face looking a bit deflated or even gaunt.”
Based on expert analysis of how ‘Ozempic mouth’ presents, other celebs who could potentially be showing signs and have opened up about using weight loss jabs also include actress Rebel Wilson.
The Australian star hasn’t discussed side effects, but admitted in April last year that she had used Ozempic to shed 80 pounds back in 2020.
The 45-year-old told The Sunday Times: “Someone like me could have a bottomless appetite for sweets, so I think those drugs can be good.”
Whoopi Goldberg, 69, has also spoken out about losing weight with the help of Mounjaro.
“I weighed almost 300 pounds when I made (film) Till,” she said on The View.
“I had taken all those steroids, I was on all this stuff, and one of the things that’s helped me drop the weight is Mounjaro.”
Some other side effects from the jabs can be serious and in some cases, even deadly.
Figures obtained by The Sun revealed up to January 2025, 82 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the meds.
Thankfully by comparison, ‘Ozempic mouth’ is a purely aesthetic issue.
That’s not to say they don’t have an impact on patients’ wellbeing, however.
Dr Robinson adds: “While these effects are aesthetic rather than medical concerns, they can significantly impact someone’s confidence.
“Fortunately, there are non-surgical treatments available to address them, such as dermal fillers to restore lost volume, skin tightening devices, and advanced skincare to support skin elasticity.
“It’s essential that patients considering Ozempic — whether for weight loss or diabetes — are made aware of these possible changes and plan a holistic approach that considers both their health and appearance.”
What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs?
Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects.
Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include:
Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts.
Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea.
Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset.
Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation.
Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort.
Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss.
Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating.
Serious side effects can also include:
Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon.
Thyroid tumors: There’s a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic.
Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
‘The feet don’t match the face‘
The newly discovered side effects don’t stop there either, with Sharon also recently called out on social media for her ‘Ozempic feet’.
“The feet don’t match the face,” one Instagram user commented on a photo of Sharon with her grandson, Sidney.
Speaking to Fabulous previously, Dr Nora, a cosmetic and medical dermatology doctor at Rejuvenation Clinic, says: “The term ‘Ozempic feet’ might be new, but what we’re seeing isn’t surprising.
“When people lose a lot of weight quickly – especially with medications like Ozempic – they don’t just lose fat in the face and body, but in the feet too.
“That natural padding disappears, leaving the skin looking saggy, deflated and aged.”