Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDiarrhea and Other Gut-Related Side EffectsHow Long Does It Last?ConstipationMinimizing RiskHow to Cope
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Diarrhea and Other Gut-Related Side Effects
How Long Does It Last?
Constipation
Minimizing Risk
How to Cope
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription medication that is injected once weekly. It is often prescribed for managing blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, but it is also used off-label (for non-U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA]-approved use) for weight loss.
Diarrhea, among other stomach issues, is a common side effect ofOzempic. However, it is usually temporary and tends to ease over time as your body adjusts to the new medication.
Getty Images /Steve Christo - Corbis/ Contributor
Stomach and intestinal side effects are common with Ozempic (as well as other medications that contain semaglutide, such asWegovyorRybelsus).
The most commonside effects of Ozempicinclude:
In clinical studies for Ozempic, up to 12% of people taking this medication stopped taking it due to stomach-related side effects.
Although gastrointestinal (GI) side effects are common with Ozempic, the exact reasons are not fully understood. Researchers believe these side effects may occur because Ozempic slows down how quickly your stomach empties food, making you feel nauseous, especially after eating.
There is also a possibility that the medication affects your brain, causing nausea even when you are not eating. Diarrhea might be due to changes in how your intestines absorb nutrients or the speed at which food moves through your digestive system.
Additionally, people who take certain medications, such asmetforminor omeprazole, may be more likely to experience diarrhea from Ozempic.
Kidney Problems and OzempicIf you have kidney problems and experience stomach-related side effects from Ozempic, you may be more susceptible to dehydration.Dehydrationcan worsen kidney issues. It is important to drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance on fluid consumption.
Kidney Problems and Ozempic
If you have kidney problems and experience stomach-related side effects from Ozempic, you may be more susceptible to dehydration.Dehydrationcan worsen kidney issues. It is important to drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance on fluid consumption.
Studies show that most people experience diarrhea from Ozempic within the first week to a month of starting the medication.
While some people may experience diarrhea for about three days, it can last longer, especially during the first four to five weeks of treatment. After this initial period, the frequency of diarrhea usually decreases. As your body adjusts to Ozempic, the symptoms generally improve.
Healthcare providers often start with a low dose and gradually increase it to help reduce side effects and allow your body to get used to the medication.
Can Ozempic Cause Constipation?
Yes, Ozempic can cause constipation among its other stomach-related side effects, although constipation is less common than diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Constipation generally occurs within the first 16 weeks (four months) of treatment, especially during the first month, and can last longer than other stomach-related side effects.
To help manage constipation, you can try the following tips.
If constipation persists or worsens, consult your healthcare provider. They may recommend additional measures, likestool softenersor adjusting your medication dose.
What Is a Sulfur Burp?
How to Reduce the Risk of Side Effects
To minimize the risk of GI-related side effects from Ozempic, healthcare providers follow specific prescribing guidelines. They start with the lowest possible dose and increase it gradually to help prevent or reduce GI issues.
Providers may try one or more of the following if side effects like nausea, diarrhea, or constipation occur:
Coping With Diarrhea
Here are some tips (from a panel of expert healthcare providers) for managing diarrhea due to Ozempic:
Here are some general tips for minimizing all types of GI side effects:
Some people will need other treatments, such asprobioticsand/orantidiarrheal medication.
Summary
Diarrhea is a common side effect of Ozempic, often starting within the first month of treatment. The exact reason for this is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to how the medication affects stomach emptying and nutrient absorption.
Other GI issues, such as nausea, vomiting, and sometimes constipation, can also occur. To manage diarrhea, eat bland foods, drink plenty of water, and avoid high-fiber or irritating foods.
If diarrhea continues or bothers you, consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.PDR.Semaglutide.DailyMed.Label: Ozempic- semaglutide injection, solution.Smits MM, Van Raalte DH.Safety of semaglutide.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:645563. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.645563Shu Y, He X, Wu P, et al.Gastrointestinal adverse events associated with semaglutide: a pharmacovigilance study based on FDA adverse event reporting system.Front Public Health. 2022;10:996179. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.996179Gorgojo-Martínez JJ, Mezquita-Raya P, Carretero-Gómez J, et al.Clinical recommendations to manage gastrointestinal adverse events in patients treated with glp-1 receptor agonists: a multidisciplinary expert consensus.J Clin Med. 2022;12(1):145. doi:10.3390/jcm12010145
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.PDR.Semaglutide.DailyMed.Label: Ozempic- semaglutide injection, solution.Smits MM, Van Raalte DH.Safety of semaglutide.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:645563. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.645563Shu Y, He X, Wu P, et al.Gastrointestinal adverse events associated with semaglutide: a pharmacovigilance study based on FDA adverse event reporting system.Front Public Health. 2022;10:996179. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.996179Gorgojo-Martínez JJ, Mezquita-Raya P, Carretero-Gómez J, et al.Clinical recommendations to manage gastrointestinal adverse events in patients treated with glp-1 receptor agonists: a multidisciplinary expert consensus.J Clin Med. 2022;12(1):145. doi:10.3390/jcm12010145
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
PDR.Semaglutide.DailyMed.Label: Ozempic- semaglutide injection, solution.Smits MM, Van Raalte DH.Safety of semaglutide.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:645563. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.645563Shu Y, He X, Wu P, et al.Gastrointestinal adverse events associated with semaglutide: a pharmacovigilance study based on FDA adverse event reporting system.Front Public Health. 2022;10:996179. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.996179Gorgojo-Martínez JJ, Mezquita-Raya P, Carretero-Gómez J, et al.Clinical recommendations to manage gastrointestinal adverse events in patients treated with glp-1 receptor agonists: a multidisciplinary expert consensus.J Clin Med. 2022;12(1):145. doi:10.3390/jcm12010145
PDR.Semaglutide.
DailyMed.Label: Ozempic- semaglutide injection, solution.
Smits MM, Van Raalte DH.Safety of semaglutide.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:645563. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.645563
Shu Y, He X, Wu P, et al.Gastrointestinal adverse events associated with semaglutide: a pharmacovigilance study based on FDA adverse event reporting system.Front Public Health. 2022;10:996179. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.996179
Gorgojo-Martínez JJ, Mezquita-Raya P, Carretero-Gómez J, et al.Clinical recommendations to manage gastrointestinal adverse events in patients treated with glp-1 receptor agonists: a multidisciplinary expert consensus.J Clin Med. 2022;12(1):145. doi:10.3390/jcm12010145
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