Skip to main content

Ozempic and Constipation: What Users Say

Reviews for Ozempic

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Sti...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 21, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I did one injection and have been ill since. I have had acid reflux, burping, vomiting, constipation, headache, and dizziness. I tried to eat small meals and drink plenty of water as directed by my physician, but I have been unable to hold anything down. Five days after my first injection, I'm off work, drinking Pedialyte, trying to get my strength back, and avoid being hospitalized. This is the worst that I have ever felt in my life."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
1124 Report
  • mew...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 27, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’m 63 F with T2 diabetes, and I started on Oz mid-May 2024. Symptoms: nausea, fatigue, GERD, sulfur burps, stomach cramping from severe constipation, constipation, feeling like I need to vomit, ringing in my ears has increased significantly, loss of appetite, reduction of inflammation, occasional migraines, feeling “off” most days, bouts of dizziness, and feeling faint, but blood sugar and blood pressure are normal, improved blood sugar readings, weight loss of 13 lbs. There are some perks: rheumatoid and osteoarthritis inflammation has lessened, though I still feel pain daily, it’s more tolerable. I take no painkillers but will take CBD as needed. Loss of appetite has led to a loss of 13 lbs so far, blood sugar improved so I’m confident that my A1C has improved also. I struggle with what to do: stay on for the inflammatory reductions, weight loss, and blood sugar improvement benefits, or quit because I feel sick most days, so I have no real pleasure in life anymore. No, I’m not depressed."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • Dan...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 4, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Two days after the injection, I get a pretty bad headache, indigestion, and a bloated feeling that lasts the day. This week (6th shot) has been different. It’s the second week the dose was raised from .25 mg to .5 mg. I felt like I had to throw up. The indigestion, burping, constipation, sore muscles, aches, and heavy sweating all felt like I had a horrible flu. I stayed home from work. I went back to work today, when I normally get the headache, and had heavy sweating, burping, indigestion, cold clammy skin, bloating, diarrhea, and depression and anxiety (years since I had either one). Tonight I still have bloating, wrists and shoulders sore, and indigestion with burps. My neck is really stiff. The normal headache has started with a little dizziness. I am still debating what to do as this has been an effective medicine. My blood sugar has gone from 290 to 90 to 140 when I check it. I have lost weight as well."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
32 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • JLa...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 3, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Ozempic 0.25 for five weeks, it's great for losing weight, but the side effects are not worth it. Let me review what Ozempic has been like. The first three weeks were okay, and then I started noticing nausea, stomach burning, headache, dizziness, upper back pain, severe constipation, and feeling very tired and depressed. I ended up in the ER with a mild pancreatic attack and high lipase levels. I've had no desire to eat or even drink water. It makes me gag, and I used to drink a lot of water. I'm done with these injections. I will stay on my metformin, but I can do better on a healthy eating lifestyle than on Ozempic and all the negative side effects. Quality of life has gone from a 10 to a 1, and that is not me. I'm taking my life back. It's really just healthy eating, and we can all do that with willpower. Good luck to everyone else."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
26 Report
  • Eri...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 17, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am a 45-year-old woman. Started Ozempic .25 mg dose 6 weeks ago, increasing to the .5 mg dose after 4 weeks. Lost 13 pounds so far, which makes me happy. Started with some nausea, some explosive diarrhea, and a general fullness feeling, and no cravings. Now I’m experiencing more constipation, and after the last injection, a dizziness/lightheaded feeling. Don’t like that at all. It never goes away. Don’t know if it’s related, but also tingling and some numbness in one foot. I’ll try injecting my thigh next time and see if that helps the dizziness because I definitely do not enjoy that feeling. Almost a jittery feeling as well. Weird. So I’m hoping these will improve over time as I am liking the weight loss results so far. I’m wondering if anyone else has had this dizzy/jittery feeling and if it will go away."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
10 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Your review helps others make informed decisions.
Write a review
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 31, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I did not have a good experience with Ozempic. Other than a 35 lb weight loss in 4 months, there is nothing else good I can say about it. From the first dose, I’ve had nausea and dizziness. The second dose has been a rollercoaster of constipation, stomach pain, fatigue, with continued nausea and dizziness. I’m constantly sick, I can’t eat anything more than a couple of bites of food. Nothing tastes the same, and the smell of food makes me head to the bathroom with nausea. So going out to eat is only a memory now. I do not recommend this medication. This cannot be healthy for anyone. I’ve stopped taking the Ozempic and am wondering if these side effects will end, they say it takes 5 weeks to leave your system. I’m counting the days!!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
14 Report
  • Hoo...
  • May 17, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Initially began Ozempic 0.25mg for 4 weeks. Side effects were tiredness, constipation. My fasting blood sugar numbers were lower in the morning. When I began the 0.50mg dose at 5 weeks, I had nausea, dizziness, and lethargy the day following the first dose. The second day following that dose, I felt about 70% better. With the second dose of 0.50mg, side effects were less severe, some minor nausea, headaches, and the tiredness continued. I hope that these side effects disappear. I plan to take this medication until I get my 3-month labs, and I expect that my A1c will be down significantly. It was at 5.9 in July of 2017. Due to the stress of caring for a dying relative from September through December, it jumped to 9.3. At my next appointment, my doctor suggested I try Ozempic in combination with Metformin 500mg twice a day. I received a 3-month discount card and have not yet checked with my health insurance provider to see if it will be covered. I am an active 61-year-old female, but type 2 diabetes does run in my mother’s family."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
13 Report

More FAQ

  • Ann...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 18, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started this drug to try and lower my A1C, which had climbed to 7.2. My nurse practitioner put me on it. She showed me how to do the injections, but no warnings of side effects. I took a .25 dose for 4 weeks, suffering pain in my stomach that radiated to my back. Absolutely no craving to eat anything at all. Had constipation. Then I went to a .5 injection and was fine for a bit until severe nausea began, along with dizziness and vomiting. I thought it was going to be the end of me, because then the unrelenting diarrhea began. I waited days in bed, so very ill, and decided to quit this awful medication. I have lost 6 pounds, and my morning glucose numbers are 107, it's lower, but feeling this deathly ill just isn't worth it. I quit the medication, though I understand it could take 5 weeks to leave my body. Beware of this drug."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • One...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 19, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "One of the biggest mistakes I've ever made in my life was starting this drug. You will be sicker than you ever have been from any other drug. My doctor started me out at 1 mg (what was she thinking???) and my life has been miserable ever since. I can't eat. I can't sleep. I can't work. I am so exhausted I can hardly drive. Horrible constipation, horrible nausea, dizziness, an all-over feeling of general unwellness. I took it for 2 weeks and quit. I quit a week ago and am still waiting to have a bowel movement. Still waiting for the sickness to go away. Still waiting to be able to lift my head off my pillow. This is an absolutely terrible drug for me. I'm going to find something else. This is not living. I'm also going to find another doctor. Shame on her for starting me on this stuff."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • Der...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 24, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor prescribed Ozempic for me at the beginning of January, starting at the .25 mg dose and working up to the 1 mg dose, which I have been on for a few weeks now. I have seen noticeable improvements in my glucose levels, which are now at a normal range, which they had not been for years. It was also prescribed to help with weight loss. I have not found it to be particularly helpful in this regard. I am losing small amounts of weight, but a lot of this has to do with a modified diet that is conducive to weight loss. The side effects I have experienced and continue to experience are stomach cramps and diarrhea, sulfur burps, some constipation, lightheadedness, and dizziness, which is the worst one for me. I was at the hairdresser today, and on leaving I almost passed out and had to go back inside to sit down, and there was a big fuss, etc., etc. It was very embarrassing and scary. I so desperately want to lose weight and think that it will eventually work for me, so I am going to keep taking it."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
1 Report
  • Wri...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 21, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking Ozempic for 10 weeks for both weight loss, which I have struggled with for years, and diabetes. I experienced nausea, constipation, slight dizziness, and headaches, but nothing that I couldn't manage, and only for 1 or 2 weeks of each increased dose. Went from 0.25 to 0.5, and now I'm on week 2 of the highest dose, 1.0, and currently have no side effects. I have also lost 19 lb so far, the doctor advised a 1200-calorie diet, and I couldn't be happier. My blood levels have come down from high 7's to 6.4, and the doctor is considering taking me off my usual diabetic medication, Empagliflozin. Some folks are saying, 'don't take it,' but just because their body didn't take to it doesn't mean you won't! And you could be missing out on what I would say is a game-changing medicine. I would say give it a go. And I wouldn't give up now for anything. My health has significantly improved. (Free to diabetics in the UK)."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
6 Report
  • S-L...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 12, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "Please state how much you are on, it is helpful to others. I am on .5. Type 2 diabetic, 25 years. I started on .25 and moved up to .5 after a month. I have lost about 17 lbs thus far and am back into a size 8 (US) dress. I have had a lot of nausea, constipation, and dizziness. They may move me up to a .75 dose, as my sugar is controlled, but not as well as it could be. However, this medication has been life-changing. I have stopped taking all glucose-lowering pills and take no insulin now. I am on Jardiance too, a similar drug. These new meds are fantastic. If you are on the fence, give these a try, they are much more effective than the older drugs, in my opinion."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
4 Report
  • Ano...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • May 27, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "This drug is helpful in maintaining a good blood glucose level. It has helped in lowering my overall weight, which was not working before by diet. At this time, I am on a 1 mg injection, but I feel I am having reactions of nausea, dizziness, bloating, burping, some abdominal pain, and constipation."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
0 Report
  • Pau...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 25, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I took one injection of 1 mg as prescribed. I have been sick for a week with severe constipation, nausea, dizziness, stomach upset/pain, acidity, gas bloating. I could not eat or sleep comfortably at night. This is very strong and mainly suppresses the appetite. I never had this much sickness from a drug."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
1 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 2, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "Severe constipation, dizziness, can go 2 days without appetite."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report
  • Lar...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 19, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "Lost weight, low sugar level, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, all in low levels. Some dizziness. But happy with results."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
0 Report

See also:

Are you taking this medicine?

Your review helps others make informed decisions.
Write a review
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.