Now experts are warning of ANOTHER unusual Ozempic side effect! Dentists say slimming jab can cause bad breath – after men claimed powerful drug was killing their erections

Fat Brits were today warned that weight loss jabs may trigger bad breath.

Semaglutide, available as Ozempic and Wegovy, has been hailed as a monumental breakthrough in the war on obesity.

But, according to one expert, the injections may create an imbalance of bacteria in the gut, contributing to their ever-growing list of undesired side effects.

Dr Ferakh Hamid, a dentist at Leeds based Aesthetique Dental Care, warned ‘not drinking enough water’ could also be behind the issue.

Semaglutide, available as Ozempic and Wegovy, has been hailed as a monumental breakthrough in the war on obesity. But, according to one expert, the injections may create an imbalance of bacteria in the gut, contributing to their ever-growing list of undesired side effects

Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy mimic the production of the hormone GLP-1, which helps keep the body full

One clinical trial by the drug’s manufacturer Novo Nordisk found nine per cent of participants suffered burping, known medically as ‘eructation’.

This fell to just one per cent among the placebo group.

Researchers, however, don’t know exactly why the drugs may cause bad breath, or halitosis.

Dr Hamid said: ‘While Ozempic is really good at controlling type 2 diabetes and can help shed some pounds, it’s important to remember that it can also lead to side effects.

‘One such side effect is bad breath, which might be related to stomach issues and not drinking enough water.

‘Studies are looking into how Ozempic might cause bad breath by affecting the bacteria in your gut.’

She added: ‘Ozempic works by changing how your body handles insulin and sugar, which might upset the balance of your gut bacteria, leading to breath that smells bad. However, more research is needed to fully understand this.

‘Those using Ozempic should keep an eye out for possible dental side effects caused by semaglutide, its main ingredient.

‘You might experience a dry mouth, taste changes, and a higher chance of dental problems.’

The jabs, which operate by mimicking GLP-1, a naturally occurring hormone that tells the brain it is full, have long been known to leave users suffering gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea, and vomiting.

Experts have suggested that because they slow down digestion, this could give the stomach more time to break down food and produce gas.

In this case, putrid air may escape through the mouth.

Others believe certain foods, such as dairy, may also lead to more odorous emissions.

Those who suspect the jabs are the root cause of their bad breath, however, can make lifestyle changes, Dr Hamid noted.

Despite being hailed as one of the most powerful pharmaceutical tools to date, experts have warned it is not a ‘magic pill’ or miracle fix all. Trials have shown that users can rapidly pile pounds back on once they stop taking the drug and it can trigger a variety of nasty side effects. Users commonly complain of nausea, constipation and diarrhoea

Eating a wide variety of plants and consuming plenty of whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats are also important.

Extreme dieting or cutting carbs drastically can lead to ketosis — when the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose — ‘which might make your breath smell worse,’ she added.

Remembering to brush teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing and using a tongue scraper can also prove ‘crucial’.

What causes bad breath?

Bad breath, also called halitosis, is very common and usually easy to treat.

It can be caused by:

Eating or drinking strong-smelling or spicy foods and drinks
Problems with your teeth or gums. This could include gum disease, holes or an infection
Crash dieting
Medical conditions, such as dry mouth, acid reflux or tonsillitis
Smoking

You should see a dentist if you have:

Bleeding, painful or swollen gums
Toothache
Wobbly adult teeth
bad breath that doesn’t go away after treating it yourself for a few weeks

Source: NHS

She said: ‘If you’ve tried everything and bad breath still lingers, talk to your doctor.

They might suggest tweaking your Ozempic dose or exploring other diabetes management options that are kinder to your oral health.’

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, was nicknamed Hollywood’s worst kept secret when it burst onto the scene due to the number of A-listers allegedly using it stay slim.

It has been shown to help users lose up to 33lbs (15.3kg) on average in around a year.

Ministers plan to dole the drug to millions of overweight Brits to trim the country’s bulging benefits bill.

Children could eventually be given the jabs, too.

Latest NHS data shows 26 per cent of adults in England are obese and a further 38 per cent are overweight but not obese.

Ozempic is currently only available on the NHS as a treatment for managing blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

It’s dramatic slimming effects saw doctors and pharmacists dish it out ‘off-label’ for people wanting to lose weight.

However, officials urged against doing so because of supply issues, warning it put diabetics lives at risk.

The news comes after MailOnline revealed men on Ozempic were flooding Reddit forums with reports of performance problems in the bedroom.

Safety pamphlets included with the drugs include a warning that sexual dysfunction could be a side effect, but the association has not been extensively studied.

A study earlier this year found the problem to be a side effect in about one in 75 men taking the drugs for weight loss experience, with many of them describing frustration and humiliation in the bedroom.

The problem is believed to stem from low testosterone caused by the blockbuster drugs.