Q. I’ve been on Ozempic for several months now. My blood sugar in the morning is around 103, down from about 180 before. I’ve lost 30 pounds. The weight off my knees has been great.

Initially, I had constipation, and I was very tired. I lost my appetite and ate a third of what I used to eat. But lately, my constipation has lessened and I’m not quite so tired. I eat more fiber which seems to help. I’m happy with the Ozempic.

A. We are glad to hear of your good results. Many other people have also found semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) effective for blood sugar control and weight loss.

There are downsides, though. Some of the most common complaints are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, belching and gas. Another reader shared some less common but serious complaints: “After a month on Ozempic, I had lost 10 pounds and was feeling good about it. Then, while in the doctor’s office for blood work, I passed out and had to be hospitalized. My blood pressure had bottomed out at 64/46.

“After many tests, I was diagnosed with a severe case of colitis. The doctor said he was seeing a lot of cases like mine that he called ‘the Ozempic effect.’ Apparently, many patients have stomach issues and a severe drop in blood pressure. Now I’m afraid to take Ozempic again, even though I am no longer on the two blood pressure medications I had been taking.”

There is not much data in the medical literature regarding colitis or low blood pressure (hypotension). Anyone who feels faint while taking a drug like semaglutide should notify the prescriber.

You can learn more about managing blood sugar in our “eGuide to Preventing & Treating Diabetes.” This online resource can be found under the Health eGuides tab at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.

Q. You have written about a link between dementia and herpes. My mother died of Alzheimer’s disease, so I am very interested.

I’ve been diagnosed with herpes 1 and 2, although I was faithfully married for 37 years before being widowed. The occasional outbreaks I experience are very mild and go away fairly quickly if I treat them with Bag Balm. It’s a skin moisturizer that farmers use on cows’ udders.

I worry about dementia because of the recurrent herpes outbreaks. You’ve suggested that vaccines might be protective, and I’ve had pneumonia vaccines and the shingles (Shingrix) vaccine. Should I start taking medications for the herpes?

A. The herpes theory of Alzheimer’s disease remains controversial. A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial is underway called VALAD (Valacyclovir Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease). The protocol was announced in the journal BMJ Open (Feb. 6, 2020). Many people are awaiting the results of this valacyclovir (Valtrex) study. Until the results are in, though, we cannot recommend daily treatment with this anti-herpes drug.

One epidemiological study from Taiwan was encouraging (Neurotherapeutics, Feb. 27, 2018). It concluded, “The usage of antiherpetic medications in the treatment of HSV infections was associated with a decreased risk of dementia.”

Until the clinical trial results are in, though, you should probably wait for confirmation. On the other hand, doctors routinely prescribe oral antiviral drugs like valacyclovir to speed healing from herpes outbreaks.

In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.