KEY POINT SUMMARY – Ozempic tongue
• Ozempic tongue affects taste buds, leaving food bland or metallic
• Celebs like Emily Simpson and Dr. Dubrow ditch the drug due to taste loss
• Users report aversions to meat, sweets, soda, and salty foods
• Experts say the drug rewires the brain’s pleasure response to eating
• Trump promises lower Ozempic prices through executive action

What Is Ozempic Tongue?

A new side effect called Ozempic tongue is turning heads — and taste buds — in the growing crowd of weight-loss drug users. While many celebrate shedding pounds with the help of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, they’re also discovering that food may never taste the same again.

Doctors say it’s more than just a loss of appetite. Patients report that food now tastes metallic, bland, or overly spicy. Some even say they can’t tolerate sweets or coffee anymore.

Celebrities Struggle with Ozempic Tongue

Even celebrities aren’t immune. Real Housewives star Emily Simpson said the drug made her feel awful because “nothing tastes good.” Dr. Terry Dubrow, a well-known plastic surgeon, stopped Ozempic during the holidays just so he could enjoy food again.

The Ozempic tongue experience is so strong that it’s become a trending topic in Reddit forums, where users post about how their favorite foods now taste unbearable. Some report that black pepper is suddenly “too spicy,” while others say even mild sweets feel chemical-heavy.

What Doctors Are Saying About the Science

Dr. Daniel Rosen, a New York-based obesity specialist, says the drug alters how the brain processes food pleasure. “Taste isn’t just on your tongue, it’s also in your brain,” he explained. GLP-1 drugs reduce the dopamine “hit” people get from eating, making food feel less satisfying.

That leads to unexpected changes in food preferences. Some meat lovers report cravings for vegetables. Vegetarians suddenly want steak. And sweets? For many, they’re completely off the menu.

Other Side Effects That Affect Taste

In some cases, the Ozempic tongue causes a persistent metallic flavor, even when not eating. Dr. Rosen says that it can happen independently of food. Others experience something known as “water brash,” a sour taste in the throat caused by stomach acid, which occurs because Ozempic slows digestion.

Heartburn and reflux also contribute to strange tastes, adding to the unpleasant food experience.

Trump Wants to Slash Ozempic Costs

The rise of Ozempic users — and side effects like Ozempic tongue — comes as President Donald Trump pushes to lower drug costs. He recently signed an executive order aimed at making GLP-1 drugs more affordable.

At a press event, Trump said a friend got Ozempic in London for $88 — a stark contrast to the $1,300 price tag in New York. “We’re going to fix that,” he said.

As prices drop and prescriptions rise, doctors expect even more people to report altered taste.

Some Say It’s a Good Thing

Despite the complaints, Dr. Rosen insists there’s a silver lining. If food is less enjoyable, people tend to eat less and lose more weight. “Ozempic tongue can be a benefit,” he said. “The trade-off is that the eating experience becomes less rewarding. But for many struggling with obesity, it’s worth it.”

Patients often start reaching for healthier options: more greens, fruits, and water. A University of Arkansas study found Ozempic users consumed less soda, red meat, and processed grains.

The Ozempic tongue may be an odd price to pay — but it’s one some users are more than willing to accept.