Ozempic and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Dia...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 2, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’ve been on Ozempic about 8 months. I went to the 1 mg dose pretty quickly. My sugars became normal. I was losing about 5 lbs every two weeks. My A1C went from 6.8 to 5.6. No side effects at all. I’ve lost about 30 pounds overall. About 6 weeks ago, I got sulfur burps, then nausea, then vomiting. I vomited 9 times over maybe 6 hrs. Thought it was food poisoning. Yesterday, I again got sulfur burps followed by nausea and then vomiting. This morning again, burps, vomiting, and watery diarrhea. Thought it odd it would again be food poisoning. I never get sick. Then thought maybe it was E. coli or gastroparesis. Then I happened upon this site and started reading the reviews of Ozempic. I don’t know why it would take so many months for any side effects to show, but it sounds like this is most likely the cause of my vomiting and diarrhea. I took my last dose two days ago. I take it every two weeks. I think I’ll cut back to 0.50 next time and see what happens."

• No ...
• March 1, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "Victoza was no longer working to lower my A1C, so my doctor prescribed Ozempic. It’s been 4 weeks. Since I’d been on the maximum dosage of Victoza, she assumed it would be a smooth transition to the maximum dose of Ozempic. While it did reduce my blood sugar, I’ve had every side effect: nausea, vomiting, explosive diarrhea, heart palpitations, heartburn, and disgusting burping. Some days, I can’t leave the house. I didn’t immediately realize that these symptoms were related to the medication, so I continued to inject the maximum dosage. I thought I had a horrible bug. After the second week, I made the connection. So I went down to a half dose, but that wasn’t enough. Now I’m down to .25. I’m still having side effects, so for now, I am on 2 Prilosec, 2 Zofran, and 4 Imodium per day. My blood sugars are down, sometimes dangerously low. I lost weight, but of course, I would with the nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. I’m going to try to stick it out."

• Jen...
• November 24, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Stay away from beef! It's a game changer. I have lost 43 lbs over 4 months. It really works for me. I am at 1 mg/week now, and I feel full constantly. I eat around 1/4 of what I usually did, and my sweet tooth is a lot less than it used to be. I had a lot of side effects with sulfur burps, diarrhea, and vomiting at the beginning. I found a 100% correlation with eating beef and the nasty side effects. Even as little as 1 oz! I had been feeling fine for a month when I last week tried 1 bite of a nice steak! 24 hours later, the terrible side effects were back, and I lost 5 lbs over 24 hours (mostly fluids). So stick to chicken and fish. I have not dared to test pork or lamb yet."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "This was prescribed by a weight loss nurse, second time use. First time on .25 mg was okay, but as soon as I go up to .5 mg I am so sick. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sulfur burps, it's horrendous!! I do not having tried twice now, with the same effects each time I can say 100% do not try this for weight loss. It is not worth it. It takes 5 weeks to clear the body too!"

• cra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was okay on the 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg doses of this drug, Ozempic. Then, five weeks ago, I upped to 1 mg as planned. About four weeks ago, my mood changed, and I started to get pain in my joints and bones. Achy all over and no energy. Two weeks ago, the abdominal pains, gas, diarrhea, and those awful sulfur burps arrived. I feel absolutely awful, and the doctor is convinced it is this drug increasing. No appetite either and feeling sick. Was loving the drug in the beginning, but now I feel like I've got permanent flu!"

• MJa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 18, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was on Ozempic (0.5) for 11 months. I had all of the worst gastric symptoms the entire time. Constant diarrhea, constipation, sulfur burps, constant rumbling stomach, VERY loud and odoriferous flatulence, and no real control over bowel movements. I was wearing diapers so I could sleep because I was afraid I would not have time to get to the bathroom. My A1c went from 16+ to 6.6 in 3 months, so I stuck with it. However, I had lost 70 lb. before I started it - and gained back 40! I eat right and did exercise (until the gastric situation was too bad). It has taken 6 weeks, and I finally feel normal, but my A1c has shot up to 13 in that time (which means it's probably higher than that). I don't have any other chronic illness besides diabetes - no gastric issues before that."

• Eda...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "So I have been on Ozempic for 5 weeks. I am tired a lot. Not sure if this is the drug or my poor sleep, but now that I see others are tired a lot, it makes me wonder. I have nasty burps a lot. I started on a dose of 0.25 for 4 weeks. I had a lot of low-level nausea, but not too bad except for one day. Then last Sunday, I took the higher dose of 0.5, and I was okay on Sunday and Monday, but Tuesday the nausea was horrible, and I had explosive diarrhea all day to the point I had to take Imodium, and I got my doctor's office to prescribe an anti-nausea med, Zofran, which helped a little. The next day, less nausea, and today is Thursday of that week, and I still have the burps and more BMs than I would like, as well as a lot of gas. I know I have lost weight just by how my clothes fit. I have very little appetite. Not sure if the pluses outweigh the minuses yet. I am probably going to try one more week and see how I feel. It has had a modest impact on blood sugars. I have been using less insulin."

• Nom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 23, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Sulfur burps, sulfur farts, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloated, pancreas pain, sore breasts, feeling as if I am going to faint, pressure behind eyes. I have never been to the hospital so many times in my life. They told me I had a 'stomach bug', turns out that it was Ozempic. I had such high hopes, I've heard many great things. User beware!"

• Nen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking Ozempic for 3 weeks. At .25. My hunger is gone! Before, all I ever thought of was food. Now I am full with about half of what I serve on my plate. I am not eating between meals. I get some nausea but not severe and some diarrhea often. No yucky burps! I am losing weight."

• JTa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started out taking 0.25 for 4 weeks, then the 5th week went to 0.50. The next day I was vomiting, had diarrhea, and sulfur burps. Couldn't hold anything down, not even water. Went to the ER the 2nd day to get IV fluids. Called the manufacturer and put in a report. They sent me a mailer to return the pen for evaluation. I am keeping a record of the lot # before I mail the pen back. I am taking a nausea pill and experiencing severe cramps and diarrhea, but the vomiting has stopped. Haven't had any solid food for 4 days, trying to eat Jell-O and applesauce and can barely get it down. So wished I would have read these reviews before I bumped it to 0.5. My diabetes doctor said to decrease. I am going to stop taking it. I have no spleen, so it is difficult to manage all these side effects. Hoping and praying I can start to feel better soon."

• Puk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started this medication 4 months ago at the 0.25 dose. I upped the dose to 0.5 three weeks ago, and on the third week, the symptoms started. Horrible nausea, vomit burps, and relentless diarrhea. I’ve lost 4 pounds in three days. I reached out to my doctor, and she prescribed something for the diarrhea... it’s helped some, but I’m tired of feeling bad. I missed two days of work this week because I couldn’t be too far from the bathroom! My A1C went from 8.6 to 6.2, which is awesome, but there has to be something else to take without the side effects! She told me to hold my metformin until the diarrhea stopped and not to take the Ozempic next week. Don’t think I’m going to take it ever again."

• Diz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2022

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Dr. put me on this medication for weight loss. I’m not diabetic. Four weeks on .25 everything was a breeze; didn’t feel any side effects. Went up to .50 after a month, and it’s been horrible ever since (had it Thursday, and it is now four days since my injection; it is now Monday). It started with severe vertigo that laid me out for a whole day and a half. Saturday, I felt a bit better but still not right. Sunday, I felt dizzy spells still coming and going and acid reflux with constant burping, just off and not myself. Today, Monday, I’ve had diarrhea, no desire to eat, and I’ve been completely exhausted and still nauseous and dizzy. I actually couldn’t take the nausea anymore, so I finally threw up, and I could actually taste the medicine coming up. Now, here I am in bed once again, waiting to see what’s next for me."

• LuL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Started 2 months ago on .25 mg x 1 month and then .5 mg x 1 month and now on 1 mg x 1 week. Awful diarrhea for this entire period along with sulfur burps and nauseated stomach. I am 9 weeks into this course of treatment and have not experienced any relief from gut upset. I am abandoning this drug for weight loss purposes, having only lost 5 lbs during this time. I had been on a keto diet prior and had lost 8 lbs over 3 weeks. I intend to return to the keto diet once my gut returns to normal. I feel exhausted, unwell, and very disappointed with this drug."

• JUS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Sulfur burps (like eggs), terrible gas, confusion, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Anxiety led to severe panic attacks. I did lose weight, but its side effects are not worth it. It caused me food aversion. Eating and drinking became a chore. My dose was increased each week by 0.25 mg."

• GER...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Ozempic for 2 months. Serious diarrhea and increased my acid reflux quite a bit. Very unpleasant burping. I have lost 4 pounds, and I am seldom hungry, I eat out of habit and stress relief. My symptoms are not severe, but I simply feel miserable, like the flu. I want to give the drug more time to see if I start feeling better, but it is so tempting to trash the stuff. My morning blood sugars are pretty good, I will get an A1C letter this month, and I expect it to be down. I hope that will be an incentive to stay with the drug."

• Ice...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "OMG ... it’s not me. Dr. started me at .5 of Ozempic, first day after injection pretty much okay, then came nausea, stomach ache, headaches, then just dulled, gassy (didn’t know the burps were part of it but that increased), diarrhea, feeling beyond blah. I went to work and struggled through the day for 4 days like this. The first week wasn’t sure if it was the shot or some food, so I tried the Ozempic again. The second week was a little better, so I decided I’ll try the smaller dose. Today is day 2, but this morn, there’s the nausea, stomach ache, a little bit of headache, but lesser amounts. Despite the thought of weight loss, might be heading back to Januvia (Farxiga got the yeast infection, but it was cheap, $15 for 90 with insurance)."

• Pom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 2, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Ozempic for three years. Started with a .25 dose, then a .5 dose, and this week started a 1.0 dose. Throughout taking Ozempic, and before it, I also take Xigduo. I feel sick, nauseated, disgusted by food and smells of food, and more recently, extreme gas at both ends... both smell like rotting garbage or sulfur. Nothing helps with any symptoms. Gas reliever just means more gas and vomit burps. I have diarrhea regularly. My count is down to 6.9, but what is the point of taking something that clearly hinders my enjoyment of life? I'm really NOT bagging on this drug, it does what it is supposed to, but I wish there were a way to stop the side effects. If anyone has ideas, please share!"

• 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."

• kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 18, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of my use of Ozempic. While taking it, I experienced some side effects such as unpleasant burps, occasional diarrhea (1-2 times per week), and temporary gastroparesis (which subsided after two months). However, the medication also had some positive effects, as my appetite decreased, and I lost 60 pounds since beginning the treatment. Unfortunately, it did take a toll on my wallet, and I eventually had to switch from my hospital/GP to getting it online by telehealth from Semalean. My son has also started taking it, and I would recommend it to anyone who is curious, but only if they are willing to see if the side effects apply to them. If they do not, and the treatment is affordable or covered by insurance, it can be truly amazing."

• Cin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been taking it for over a month. No side effects for the first 2 weeks on the lower dose. Since I am using the higher dose now - I have had some very bad nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Also, lots of burping, and it smells terrible. When I have vomited - it is so much volume. More than any time in my life. It has reduced my appetite, but if I drink alcohol, it usually makes me physically sick."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor started me on .50, and I started the first day. The next day, I had burping, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and back pain. It’s been a week, and I’m still sick. My doctor stopped me from using this medication. I can’t recommend it for other people to use Ozempic, it has terrible side effects."

• pam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 21, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started taking Ozempic at 0.025 mg for two months, primarily relying on meal replacements for diabetes twice a day along with a small amount of cereal (Grape Nuts). During those two months, I lost 30 pounds. However, I experienced dizzy spells because I was also taking high blood pressure medication. Once I stopped the blood pressure medication, the dizziness went away. I then increased my Ozempic dosage to 0.050 mg, and that's when things took a turn for the worse. I started having sulfur burps (long and frequent belching), excessive gas, diarrhea, and if I overate cereal, I would vomit. Even if I didn't eat anything, I would still experience vomiting. I lowered the insulin dosage, and it improved. After a month, I was able to handle the 0.050 mg dosage. Later, I increased it to 1 mg. At this point, I wasn't losing weight anymore, but I experienced hunger pains and started eating other things. On and off, I would have episodes of diarrhea, belching, and gas. Additionally, I started experiencing pain under both sides of my ribs, bloating, belching, diarrhea, and gas. I had blood work done, which revealed that my thyroid levels were significantly off. I am scheduled for an ultrasound to examine my thyroid, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and GI tract, among others."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "After 4-6 weeks, I still suffer various levels of intensities of nausea, but short-lived diarrhea, plenty of burping, and fatigue that is often overwhelming. Some days, no problems. I manage the symptoms by enduring until they ease up, or I may choose to seek fast relief using what's available. Its benefits are now close to 'tight control' and significant weight loss (overcoming the stagnant plateau of a period of weight loss)."

• Juw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 19, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started on 0.25 for four weeks, had nausea, dizziness, burping nonstop every day, off-the-wall gas, and bloating. Went on 0.5, more or less the same side effects except more abdominal pain. Then went to 1 mg, my skin started feeling like I had a bad sunburn from the waist up. It hurt when clothes touched it. Four weeks later, went on 2 mg. All same symptoms. Then I started having severe neck pain and shoulder pain. Was on 8 months and only lost 16 pounds. A1c went from 7.5 to 5.5, but a lot had to do with eating less. I have EPI, so it was not worth it to me to take it anymore. Also, thyroid cancer runs in my family. Had a friend tell me her friend got thyroid cancer after 3 months, also had a lot of diarrhea. Now I'm off, no symptoms, skin feels better, and sugar around 130."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started this drug 8 weeks ago. Didn't know what to expect. The first 2 weeks were a nightmare. With burping, sulfur, constant diarrhea, feeling sick, not able to eat. It's settled after 4 weeks, but then increased to .50 dose, and symptoms started again. I am losing weight, and diabetes readings are coming down. It's working, but dreadful side effects. It does help to eat smaller portions. Will stay on it another while, but not sure long term."