Ozempic and Bloating: What Users Say

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Ozempic in late December at 0.25 injection. I also take 500mg metformin per day. Soon after I started Ozempic, I had decreased appetite and my sugars improved, but I had reflux, gas, bloating, nausea, and diarrhea. After 4 weeks, I started 0.50. 2 weeks in, I have bouts of painful constipation then diarrhea, nausea, bloating, gas, reflux, and cramping. I've almost vomited a few times. When I eat, it feels like the food just sits and sits, barely moving through my gut. My doctor wants me to stick with it, saying that these side effects usually improve, but it's been pretty miserable. I'm thinking I'm going to stop taking it. While Ozempic has been effective in regulating my sugars and losing weight, I don't think it's worth the suffering that I've been enduring on this medication. I understand that studies showed it causing thyroid cancer in mice, but no one knows if it causes thyroid cancer in humans. I don't want to be the guinea pig the drug makers use to find out it does."

• Nw2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started April 1, 2021, on Ozempic low dose. 3-week intervals it was increased. Side effects were constipation (went on laxatives to help), pain in my back (severe), bloating. Week 11 increased to 1mg, the side effects were major bloating, diarrhea, sounds in my stomach (crazy), nauseous, feeling under the weather. My appetite has decreased to the point that I only eat 2 meals a day that are small. My sugar levels have decreased from 7.1 to 5.2 A1C. I’ve noticed that I have been kept awake some nights like I’m nervous for some reason. In the first 3 weeks, I’ve lost 15 pounds. Haven’t checked since I want to wait but can feel a difference. The pains in the stomach are really uncomfortable, and the bloating I will try gas-x for relief. When I try to eat more than I should, my body tells me that I’m full. If I go beyond that point, I get severe pains in the stomach for hours. But depends on what I eat. Going to stay with smaller portions/healthier foods."

• Ret...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "Take my comments for what they are worth since I changed many things in my life at the same time, but I think Ozempic is great. After 5 months, it reduced my A1c from 9.7 to 5.9. I lost almost 25 pounds. I am at 0.5mg, and it has drastically reduced my appetite. Between a smaller stomach and this drug, I often push my plate away before finishing, rarely a desire for dessert. Little to no side effects overall. Some stomach issues like constipation and bloating, but I can't rule out dietary changes being the cause as well. I went on a low-carb diet and really stuck to it for once and increased exercise a lot. The use of the Freestyle Libre Sensor really helped too! Being able to learn how things affect your blood sugar in real time is a great motivator to do the right thing, combine carbs with protein, etc. I am hoping to lower other meds I am on when I see my doctor next month. Once a week, a tiny needle (virtually pain-free) is a far better system than taking pills every day."

• No...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2022

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I’m 5 feet tall, 50, female, perimenopausal, non-diabetic, not prediabetic, 176 pounds. HbA1c is 37, but BMI is in the obese range. Started on 0.25 mg for 4 weeks. Lost 6 pounds. Definitely curbs appetite for the first 3 days, but cravings are back by day 4. Will need a higher dose. No nausea or other symptoms except bloating when I eat more than one portion. My diet is generally good as I rarely eat junk food and never drink soda or add sugar to anything. My diet is healthier than my skinny friends, but my problem is portion control. I’m optimistic this medication will work to curb overeating and head off obesity and diabetes post-menopause. Can’t “wait” to see what the 0.5 mg dose does for me."

• JCR...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 11, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have type 2 diabetes, and before Ozempic, my A1C was 6.3, now it's down to 5.3. I tried Trulicity before, but it was a hassle with the one-dose pen and refrigeration, and more expensive under my plan. Didn't help with my weight at all. Ozempic has worked great for me. Completely controls my appetite. It does cause some bloating and nausea, but not severe enough to make me need to stop taking the medication. I started on 0.25 and then increased to 0.5 - I've lost 27 lbs so far! I'm really hoping the appetite control lasts. I think with this drug, you really MUST decrease your food intake to lessen the side effects."

• Nei...
• April 16, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "Month 1, I was started on Ozempic at 0.25 mg and had very mild symptoms of bloating and reduced appetite. Month 2 & 3, uncomfortable. Stomach cramps, gas, and diarrhea probably for 4 days after injection. This can be really embarrassing in a small office. By the end of Month 3, I was feeling quite a bit better. At this point, my HbA1c was down to 5.2 from 9.4, I had virtually no diabetic symptoms. No blurred vision, no numbness in fingers and toes, and I was sleeping through the night without visits to the bathroom. And I lost 16 kilo in weight. Month 4 to 7. OMG. Increasing to 1 mg, the side effects are horrendous. Weight loss has stalled, though this is probably due to lockdown. The sickness and eggy burps are constant, and now my doctor says it will be at least 6 months before the side effects could be gone. But I have no diabetic symptoms, my HbA1c is pretty much normal, and I think the effort has been worth it. Not an easy journey, but worthwhile."

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’m on Ozempic for weight loss. I started at a small dose for 4 weeks, 0.25, then 2 weeks, 0.5. Now I’m on maintenance, taking 1 mg. In the beginning, straight after the injection, I would suffer from nausea, migraines, and loss of appetite. My side effects have shifted. I don’t suffer from nausea for more than a day, however, I have sulfur gas. It’s horrible. I’m bloated and very gassy. I haven’t lost a ton of weight yet, however, I do think diet is key as I am taking this for weight loss, and so far, yes, my appetite is suppressed. A day or two before it’s time to take the injection, I gain more of an appetite. This stuff is killer expensive, and my insurance doesn’t cover it. I’ll give it a couple more months and see how it goes."

• Kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 26, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "Note: I was resistant to 2 previous Type 2 medications. Benefits: Ozempic 2mg dropped blood sugar levels from 8.5 to 7.2 within 6 wks. Little appetite, however, overeating or binging were never an issue. I have to remind myself to eat small meals, or I could go all day without eating. Didn't work: Unlike the masses that are taking Ozempic for weight loss, I eat VERY healthy. I am working with a whole-body Nutritionist but have not lost weight in 6 months of use. Side Effects: Bloating and acid reflux are frequent. Ease of use: Easy to use, and injections are painless."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been using it for about 1 1/2 months and have lost 14 pounds. I don't have much of an appetite, but some of the other side effects are bloating, constipation, diarrhea, throwing up, and feeling very tired. I love the weight loss, but the side effects are too much!"

• Lax...
• August 19, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I just started this drug on Thursday. It’s now Monday, and I have lost 7 pounds, however, I feel miserable. Today it’s overwhelming dizziness, but previously it was nausea, bloating, and stomach pain. No appetite whatsoever, extreme fatigue, and insomnia! I had six stents placed in my heart arteries on July 22. I was hiking on the 20th and needed to be rescued from the trail. My blood glucose at rescue was 33. I was put on insulin in the hospital and prescribed a cardiac cocktail of six different meds, four of which caused some dizziness and light sensitivity, which had improved over four weeks to the point that I was walking an hour a day. I’ve barely left the house since Thursday. I will not take another dose of Ozempic. PS: the insulin was working well, I was down to 3 units, three times a day of Humalog (from 8 units x 3) and 9 units of Basaglar (from 25), plus 500 mg x 2 of Metformin."

• I...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I rarely ever have side effects from any drugs that I have taken before. After my second dose, I began extreme side effects of stomach pain, bloating, sour belching, flatulence, diarrhea, zero appetite, and indigestion. These symptoms have not gone away after 10 days of discontinued use. It definitely lowered my daily sugar levels. You can use this medication if you are okay with feeling like death."

• rav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I experienced severe stomach bloating and constipation after the first dose. I started injecting into the back of my arms and, with each subsequent dose, side effects lessen, though I still experience moderate nausea and fatigue after taking my weekly dose. On the positive side, my appetite has been reduced by at least 1/2, with 15 pounds lost. My fasting blood sugars are in the 80's and my post-meal levels rarely top 130. Even after eating small amounts of carbs, sugars fall to the nineties within an hour."

• Mal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2019

"I've been on Ozempic for about 2 to 2.5 months now. So far, no weight loss, but horrible gas. I burp all the time, and my stomach gets so bloated. Sometimes it's sulfur burps, but others, it's just a lot of plain gas. I get a lot of gas coming out the other end too. On the advice of my doctor, I waited a few weeks extra to up my dose from 0.25 to 0.5. My appetite has gone down, but the gas is still so bad that my clothes fit worse than before! I'm on week 3 of the 0.5 and waiting for it to get better. I have a follow-up appointment in mid-July."

• Ndn...
• October 31, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Only problem I had with Ozempic was when I ate late. (Lesson learned.) All the issues were present: nauseous, bloated, burps. Appetite has decreased along with my blood sugar levels. After 23 years of management of a chronic condition, diabetes. This medication, along with Lantus and Novolog, sliding scale, has helped tremendously. Put myself on insulin 15 years ago, the cleanest form of control. But have tried additional oral meds with side effects. Lizard spit (Byetta). Management requires trying new medication."

• Bar...
• February 27, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started on Ozempic in January 2021. I started on 0.25 mg and then in February went up to 0.50 mg. My A1C has come down from 8.5 to 6.9, which is brilliant. My fasting sugar levels are below 7 in the morning compared to 8-10, and I find it’s below 7 during the day. Bloating is awful and constant, my stomach is blown up like I’m 6 months pregnant. I haven’t lost any weight. My digestive system feels off. Although my appetite is surprising, I wonder how good this is if you're not eating and getting all the nutrients your body needs. Constipation and diarrhea are extreme. I’m always really thirsty, and normally if I drink water..."

• hal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "The major side effects are all I got with this med, which includes upset stomach, heartburn, burping, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, stomach flu symptoms, headache, dizziness, and tiredness."

• fem...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 23, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "Serious stomach issues, cramping, bloating, severe constipation, nausea, no appetite, rashes, pain in the upper and lower bowel, gas. Loss of too much weight, no taste for food. Have had previous trouble with colitis and diverticulitis but still prescribed this medication. Only have 1 kidney and now afraid it may be damaged. I have been on this drug for approximately 7-9 months. Now worried, but the doctor is not concerned enough to take me off this medication."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I started this medication last week on Tuesday. The first two days, I had a headache and a flu-like feeling. Throughout the week, I felt nausea almost daily, bouts of diarrhea, and bloated. Today is my second dose of 0.25, and I lost 4 pounds in 7 days (probably the fact that anytime I eat, my next bowel movement is diarrhea). I have felt a general unwellness for the last 7 days and am anxious about how this week will go, as I haven't been able to accomplish what I normally am able to. If this week gets worse and I start vomiting and being really unwell, then I will stop taking this medication. I definitely don't have the same appetite I did before, and my junk food craving has basically been vanquished, however. If the symptoms don't peter out or they get worse, I don't see the point, as it affects my son's life as well when I can't be the best mom I can be."

• Oli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "Been taking Ozempic for approximately 4 months. A1C has shown improvement. Am experiencing side effects - bloating, heartburn, loss of appetite. Initially had trouble with diarrhea, but this has lessened."

• Lon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2022

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I have been taking Ozempic for 6 weeks. 4 weeks on .25 mg and 2 on .5 mg. It has been great at curbing my appetite and sugar cravings, and I have lost 5 kg. However, the diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, gas, and almost volcanic foul-smelling burping have made me decide not to continue. Being awake half the night with a gurgling stomach and having to sit up to burp and release the gas is not good for anyone. Back to my own devices from now on."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2022

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I have been on Ozempic for 4 months now for weight loss. Initially, I had some GI side effects (bloating and stomach upset), but after a few weeks that mostly went away. My appetite is low (which is the intended effect), and I have not been enjoying meat as much, but otherwise, I am happy with the way this is going. As of now, I lost 14 pounds. Would recommend this medicine to everyone trying to lose weight, except for the fact that it is quite expensive. I had trouble finding a prescriber because Wegovy, which is FDA approved, is backordered everywhere. And Ozempic is the same medication, but not technically approved."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been using Ozempic for 12 weeks. Initial physical reactions were terrible, with diarrhea, burping, extreme bloating feeling, loss of appetite. It was terrible, as described by other reviewers. I ran to the washroom 20 times per day in the first 2 weeks at .25. It drained so much of my energy and day-to-day momentum. In two weeks, I lost 10 lbs due to loss of appetite and the diarrhea. At the same time, in 4 weeks, my blood sugar dropped from an average of 8.5 to only 6.2. In week 15 to date, I guess my body has adapted to Ozempic. In week 16, my dose was increased to 0.50. I also dropped one of my diabetes oral drugs. My bowel movements normalized to only 3 times a day. I still have a lack of appetite that I thought would be beneficial for me. For only once a week injection, I will continue having Ozempic."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "Ok, my doctor begged me to try this, and I was very hesitant after reading reviews. Here is how my .25 injection in my hip fat went over the next week. By the end of the day, my stomach was bloated. Like you ate way too much kind of bloated. I read how people were sick, so I limited breakfast to one biscuit, lunch to two eggs, and dinner to a chicken breast. I did not get sick, but the bloating burning sensation lasted five days. I had oatmeal for breakfast the next two days, with a wrap for lunch and dinner. It only curbed my appetite by making me scared to death to eat, which caused constipation. My blood sugars were slightly lower, but the fear of getting sick was not worth it for me. I also have GERD and took Pepcid for two days. I have been diabetic a long time, almost 23 years. I take insulin. I am vastly overweight at 340 pounds. My experience was mild compared to others and not worth getting sicker to lose weight or starve myself. I did not use it after the first week. No way."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "Ozempic helped me by lowering my A1C and curbing my appetite. I have only taken it for over a month and lost 10 pounds. I like the gradual loss of weight. The side effects for me are indigestion and bloating. I take 1 mg a week."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "Ozempic helped me by lowering my A1C and curbing my appetite. I have only taken it for over a month and lost 10 pounds. I like the gradual loss of weight. The side effects for me are indigestion and bloating. I take 1 mg a week."