Radha Krishna Radha Krishna Asked 5 months ago

Can semaglutide cause kidney issues?

My neighbor is on semaglutide and recently developed some kidney issues. I'm also considering taking it for weight loss. Should I be worried about kidney problems as a side effect of semaglutide?

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10 answers

Aman Verma Aman Verma Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago
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Hey, I read that if you get severely dehydrated from the nausea side effects, it can put a lot of pressure on your kidneys. Make sure u drink lots of water if you are on it.

Kriti Sharma Kriti Sharma Joined May 2026 5 months ago

I track my water intake religiously on my Apple Watch. Dehydration is a known side effect of semaglutide because it suppresses thirst, and that can lead to acute kidney injury. Keep your daily hydration goal to at least 2.5-3 liters.

Rajesh Nair Rajesh Nair Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

Don't go by what people claim online about kidney risks or cure-alls. Semaglutide is a serious medication and kidney function needs to be evaluated by a proper doctor using serum creatinine tests. Talk to your nephrologist or physician directly.

Preeti Sen Preeti Sen Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

Yes, there are some reports of kidney issues, especially if you have pre-existing kidney problems. Definitely get a renal function test done before starting.

Harish Gupta Harish Gupta Joined May 2026 5 months ago

I have seen many discussions on this. Usually, kidney issues happen indirectly because of severe vomiting and diarrhea causing dehydration. If you experience severe side effects, please contact your doctor immediately to adjust the dose.

Meenakshi Iyer Meenakshi Iyer Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

While taking such medications, make sure you don't overload on heavy protein supplements which can put extra load on kidneys. Focus on a balanced vegetarian diet and drink fresh coconut water to stay naturally hydrated.

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Neha Kulkarni Neha Kulkarni Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

I actually had a scare with elevated creatinine levels while on semaglutide because I wasn't drinking enough water. My doctor temporarily paused it, made me hydrate well, and my levels went back to normal. Please take hydration seriously on this med.

Sunil Mehta Sunil Mehta Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

As someone who has been managing diabetes for ten years, I know how critical kidney health is. Semaglutide is excellent for blood sugar but you must monitor your eGFR and creatinine levels regularly. Keep a strict check on your numbers.

Simran Johar Simran Johar Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

Oh god, this kidney side effect is the exact reason why I have been terrified of starting semaglutide. I keep thinking what if my kidneys fail silently? If you do decide to take it, please get tested regularly so you don't stay stressed like me.

Vikram Singh Vikram Singh Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago

Listen, don't panic. Serious kidney issues are quite rare and mostly happen if someone is already dehydrated or has kidney disease. Just drink your water, don't skip meals entirely, and let your doctor guide you step-by-step.

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