Semaglutide Nausea Relief [Wegovy and Ozempic]

Are you feeling nauseous while taking semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy)? You are not alone. Nausea is one of the most common side effects of this medication.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce your chances of experiencing it.

What is Semaglutide?

It is the active ingredient in both Ozempic® and Wegovy®.

The FDA approved Ozempic for treating type 2 diabetes in 2017. However, it was also used off-label for weight loss. Later, in 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy for weight management.

Both are injectable medications.

A Common Side Effect

Semaglutide is effective because it slows down the movement of food in your stomach and intestines.

A Wegovy clinical trial showed that this symptom was the most common side effect in 44% of the participants.

Similarly, an Ozempic study showed that approximately 30% of patients reported nausea. Roughly 3% to 4% of patients discontinued the study due to the side effects.

Dose Matters

Nausea is most common when people start taking this medication and when the dose increases.

Thus, when you first start taking semaglutide, it’s important to start with a low dose and gradually increase it over several weeks. A low dose also gives your body enough time to adjust to the medication.

Make sure to talk to your doctor before your next refill. Your doctor might maintain the current dose until the symptom improves. In some cases, you might have to decrease the dose.

Semaglutide Nausea Relief

Luckily, there are ways to reduce this symptom.

Avoid Eating Foods High in Fat

Avoid Strong Food Smells

Strong food smells can trigger or worsen nausea. You might find relief by avoiding cooking or being around strong smells.

Cold foods or foods at room temperature are often easier to tolerate. If cooking makes you nauseous, consider the following:

• Asking a family member or friend to cook for you
• Buying already prepared foods
• Preparing cold foods such as salads

You can cook when you’re feeling good and then freeze the food for later use.

Eat Small, Frequent Meals 

Eating small meals and snacks more frequently can help too.

Eat Bland, Low-Fat Foods

Bland foods can also provide relief, including:

• Bananas
• Applesauce
• Saltines or other plain crackers
• Plain toast
• Baked potatoes
• Rice

Eat Slowly

Eating too quickly can worsen this symptom. Instead, sit down and chew your food slowly to help digestion.

Drink Enough Fluids

Opt for Clear and Cold Beverages

Clear and cold drinks are easier to tolerate when feeling unwell.

Drink Less Liquid With Meals

Drinking too much liquid while eating can lead to an uncomfortable feeling in your stomach. Consider drinking only a small glass of water with meals or drinking 30 to 60 minutes before and after eating.

Manage Stress and Anxiety

Avoid Laying Down After You Eat

Laying down after eating can increase feelings. It is best to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before lying down and try to sit upright when possible. 

Try Ginger

Ginger is a natural remedy. It’s available in different forms, such as ginger tea, ginger ale, and ginger root.

Medications

If the nausea is severe, your doctor might prescribe a medication.

Other Common Side Effects

Other common side effects of semaglutide can include constipation, digestion, belching, acid reflux, and fatigue, as well as pancreatitis, gallstones, low blood sugar, and a low risk of thyroid tumors.

Speak with your doctor if these side effects become bothersome or don’t go away.

It is important to note that everyone responds differently to semaglutide, and its side effects may vary from person to person.

The Bottom Line

Semaglutide can cause various gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea. Side effects are most common at the beginning of treatment or when you increase your dose.

Try the natural remedies described above and talk to your doctor the next time you visit. They can give you personalized advice, adjust your semaglutide dose, or prescribe a medication.