Ozempic (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved injectable medication that can be used to treat type 2 diabetes. It can help control blood sugar and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
“Ozempic is able to do this because it is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This means it helps the pancreas release more insulin and stops the liver from producing extra sugar. This helps people manage their blood sugar levels. Ozempic also slows the rate at which the stomach empties, which can make people feel fuller for longer and reduce appetite.”
But Ozempic can also cause some unpleasant side effects. Nausea is one of the most common side effects related to Ozempic. During clinical trials, about 1 in 5 people reported feeling nauseated while taking Ozempic. Nausea usually occurs between 8 and 12 weeks after people start taking Ozempic.
“If you feel nausea while taking Ozempic, don’t give up on the drug yet. It is possible to control and even prevent nausea related to the Olympics. Here are some tips that can give you lasting relief.”
Why does Ozempic cause nausea?
It’s not entirely clear, but it may have to do with Ozempic’s effect on the gut.
“In clinical trials, nausea was the most commonly reported side effect when taking Ozempic. About 20% of participants (or 1 in 5 people) reported feeling nauseous. The following most frequent adverse effects were diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. But only 5% to 10% of people have reported these side effects. The next most common set of side effects was constipation and gassiness.”
What do all these things have in common? These are all types of stomach or intestinal disorders. Remember, Ozempic slows the rate at which the stomach empties. It’s possible that slowing down the intestines so that food stays in the stomach longer leads to increased pressure inside the abdomen and stretching of the nerves around the intestines.
“This could trigger unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and other stomach problems. But since these side effects can take 8 to 12 weeks to begin, it’s not entirely clear whether this completely explains the side effects. As time goes by, research will likely clarify exactly why Ozempic causes nausea.”
The good news is that although nausea is the most common side effect related to Ozempic, it is usually mild and goes away on its own.
How long does nausea related to Ozempic usually last?
Ozempic nausea usually lasts only a few weeks. For most people, the nausea gradually goes away as the body gets used to taking Ozempic.
“But studies show that nausea can return whenever doses of Ozempic are increased. So, if the dose is increased, it is possible for the nausea to return even after you start to feel better.”
How can you find relief from Ozempic-induced nausea?
If you experience nausea after taking Ozempic, there are things you can do to feel comfortable while you wait for the side effect to go away. There are also ways to reduce your risk of developing nausea in the future.
1. Use the lowest possible dose of Ozempic:
Studies show that people taking higher doses of Ozempic are more likely to experience nausea. If you are taking a lower dose, you are less likely to experience nausea. For some people to control their blood sugar, Ozempic dosages may need to be increased.
“But if your blood sugar level responds well to the current dose, ask your doctor if you can maintain the current dose and not increase. This will also help you avoid the wave of nausea that can be triggered by increasing the dose.”
2. Slowly increase the dose of Ozempic:
If you need a higher dose of Ozempic, increase the dose slowly. Ozempic is usually started at a dose of 0.25 mg once per week. Ozempic can only be taken up to 2 mg once per week. This means that the dose could increase up to 8 times. Initially you may need to increase the dose every week.
“Slowly increasing your dose may reduce your risk of developing Ozempic-related nausea and other side effects. At the moment, it is unclear how slowly you need to increase the dose to avoid side effects. More information will likely be available over time.”
3. Avoid foods that worsen Ozempic-related side effects:
Some foods may trigger or worsen Ozempic-related side effects, including nausea. Limiting or avoiding these types of foods can reduce nausea or help you avoid it altogether. Foods and drinks to avoid include:
- High-fat fatty foods
- Foods and drinks high in sugar
- Ultra-processed foods
- Refined carbohydrates
- Alcohol
4. Listen to your body:
Ozempic makes people feel fuller faster and can also change people’s appetite. These two things are fundamental to how people interact with food. This new normal means you’ll have to retrain how you approach meals. It may take some time to learn how much you can eat before you feel full. But understanding this new point prevents you from overeating and avoiding side effects like nausea.
“Start by reducing meal sizes. For example, create your dish as you normally would for any meal. Then remove half of it. Eat slowly and when you’re done, check to see if you feel full. If you are still hungry, you can gradually consume more than half the remaining portion. “
Take note of when you feel like you’re no longer hungry. This will help you determine how large your portions should be in the future. Remember, this may change when you adjust your dose of Ozempic.
5. Try a home remedy or medication that relieves nausea:
While the above tips can help you relieve nausea in the long term, they won’t do much in the moment when you feel terrible.
“To quickly relieve nausea, you can turn to home remedies such as ginger, which has been shown to reduce nausea. You can try sipping ginger tea. Or you can try supplements that contain ginger or chew a piece of pure ginger. Just remember to avoid ginger ale, which is high in sugar and can make nausea worse.”
There are also prescription medications that can relieve nausea. You can talk to your doctor about prescription options such as ondansetron (Zofran) and metoclopramide (Reglan). It is not yet clear whether prescription drugs that help relieve nausea from motion sickness can help reduce nausea from taking Ozempic.
The bottom line:
Nausea is the most commonly reported side effect of taking Ozempic. Nausea usually begins 8 to 12 weeks after starting treatment with Ozempic and goes away on its own over several weeks. Nausea may return if doses of Ozempic are increased.
“To limit Ozempic-related nausea, avoid foods that can make Ozempic side effects worse such as foods high in fat or sugar. It also helps to slowly increase the doses of Ozempic. Prescription drugs can also help people who are extremely nauseous.”