Ozempic and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Wen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Hospitalized twice with severe abdominal pain and nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Second visit had a gastric emptying study done. Normal gastric emptying is 30 min, mine was 800 min. Basically, this med damaged the vagus nerve and paralyzed my stomach, not allowing food to empty. Severe symptoms. Missed work, hospitalized a total of over 2 weeks. Praying my stomach returns to normal. Diagnosed with gastroparesis caused by Ozempic."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2023

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "My doctor put me on Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes even though my A1C was at goal. It was a huge mistake. After 3 weeks at 0.5 units and 4 weeks at 1.0 units, I still had terrible nausea and diarrhea. I could barely leave my house. My diet changed from healthy legumes and vegetables to less healthy foods in an attempt to reduce the diarrhea and soothe my stomach. I couldn't exercise. I quit Ozempic about six weeks ago, and both my A1C and cholesterol were elevated at my checkup this week. I would not advise Ozempic for anybody who already has slow gastric emptying. I regret trying it."

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

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started on Ozempic in January this year. I have been type 2 diabetic for over 15 years. I was on metformin but found my A1C increasing, so it was recommended that I try this. I have had no problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pains, etc. that others have had. I have lost 26 lbs and am using 1 ml per week. I started with the .25, after two weeks increased to .5, and then after 4 weeks increased to 1 ml. My daily blood test has decreased down from around 10-11 to 4.5-6, and my A1C reduced down from 11 to 8, that was 2 months ago. I will redo next month. I truly think it will be down under 7 when I do it. For me, it is the miracle drug, I feel so much better, and with the weight loss, I feel less tired. I am sure it does not work for everyone, but for those it does, it is a very good product. I did have to get approval through my endocrinologist for my drug plan to cover this. Those without a drug plan would be well advised to think carefully as it is very expensive."

• Mac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "Well I took the shot on a Wednesday. And by Saturday I felt weak. I had severe diarrhea and no appetite. That lasted for about 3 days. Then I started itching all over my body. So I got some cortisone to help with the itching. Then as I continued to itch, my body was turning red, and I'm African American. Then I began to blister and then peel. I peeled from my legs, arms, my buttocks, and then my hands, and now my feet. I told my doctor, she insisted it was my laundry detergent, but I tried to tell her different. Anyways, I believe that there was an ingredient I was allergic to in the Ozempic. I do not recommend this shot. I've been dealing with this for a month. The only upside, I lost 7 to 8 lbs. But look what I went through. Good luck!"

• 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."

• boo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2022

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Working with a board-certified obesity physician who suggested I try Ozempic. I am not diabetic but was pre-diabetic in 2015 and was on 1,000 mg Metformin until February of this year. I LOVE Ozempic. I feel like a normal human who doesn't think about food constantly, who can now leave food on my plate (because of Ozempic) and not pick at other people's plates. I've lost 32 pounds in 19 weeks!! I never had any gastrointestinal problems with the exception of being constipated, so I take something for that a couple of times a week. It is much better than the diarrhea I had with Metformin. I started on .025 mg for the first four weeks, then went to .05 mg and plan to stay on that as long as it works. BUT PLEASE BE AWARE, you have to cut down on carbs like breads, pastas, and sweets. I don't have a craving for sweets anymore. My doctor said Ozempic doesn't work as well if you keep eating those kinds of carbs, and I have noticed that when I cheat. I'm 74, something about 'old dog new tricks'"

• Gor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Currently lying in a hospital bed in the gastric ward, horrendous diarrhea. I would never use this Ozempic if I knew of the side effects. I came into the hospital severely dehydrated, have been on a drip for four days, and symptoms still continuing."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "If you have any form of stomach or bowel disorder or a history of pancreatitis, you may want to steer clear of Ozempic or any of the other similar drugs in its class. They slow gastric emptying, which can really get your system out of order and wreak havoc. If you start having sulfur burps, extreme nausea, horrific vomiting, and diarrhea, you’ll know it isn’t for you. For me, it got so bad, I was having to resort to wearing adult diapers. I initially thought I was having episodes of food poisoning or giardiasis, but it turned out to be medicine-induced gastroparesis and pancreatitis. Ozempic and the drugs like it may work great in some people, but be downright dangerous in others. Use with caution and pay attention to the warning signs. I just hope this will help someone else not have to go through what I did."

• Kda...
• September 20, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "This is the worst drug I have ever been prescribed. I took my first shot on Sat at 4 p.m. By 10 p.m. I had a horrible headache and acid indigestion unlike anything I have ever experienced. By Sunday morning, the fatigue was so bad I could not get out of bed. Following was total lock down of my digestive system and then uncontrollable diarrhea for 5 days. The fatigue and nausea I could not shake. I spent most of the next 5 days trying to sleep and not eating due to the nausea and overall horrible sick feeling. I am a person who works out and runs 3 miles a day and is very active. I feel like a week of my life has been sucked away from me. Today is Thursday and still feeling terrible. I can only hope it wears off soon. Think very long and hard before using this drug. Do your research and read about it, it is very concerning that this is actually approved to be injected into people."

• Dis...
• August 30, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Ozempic and had no issue with the initial dose of .25. When I had the second dose, I had minor nausea and definitely noticed not feeling as hungry. Five days later, I had severe diarrhea and very foul-tasting burping. The next day, I was okay. Then the following day, I had diarrhea again. I thought maybe stomach virus. Imodium helped me get through the rest of the day. Then it was the day I take my shot (Sunday night). Monday was okay, and then it started again with the terrible-tasting burps, severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. I was unable to eat anything except ice chips. The diarrhea has continued for now the third day. I literally can’t be more than 10 steps from the bathroom. I’ve only had water, chicken broth, 1 banana, 1/2 cup applesauce, 1/2 cup plain rice, and 1 cup apple juice and still can’t stay away from the bathroom. I’ve lost 7 pounds since starting Ozempic, 4 of them have been this week. This is not how I want to lose weight."

• 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."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Ozempic is dangerous! I started to get unbearable stomach pains, bloating, diarrhea, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and a host of other problems. It got to the point where if I really had to go to the bathroom, I almost couldn't hold my stool because it was frequent, urgent diarrhea. I suffered through a nightmare. One day I went to visit NY, and I forgot to take my shot of Ozempic. My symptoms all disappeared after a few days. Ozempic was the culprit. My blood pressure, heart rate, and everything else went back to normal. I was so happy and felt great again. Doctors are not God. My doctor gave me the Ozempic even though he knew my insurance didn't cover it and it would cost over $550/month. He kept giving me the free samples so I wouldn't have to pay. What kind of doctor puts you on a long-term med knowing you can never afford it? Bottom line is... do not take this drug. You'll regret it."

• mac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "After the first 0.25 mg injection, I was extremely bloated and burping within 5 hours. I woke the 2nd day with extreme bloat, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. I could not eat or drink a thing because of severe bloating. This lasted 5 days. Foolishly, I did a 2nd dose the next week of 0.25 mg. This time, I became much, much sicker with the same symptoms but more severe. Abdominal pain severe, bloating was so bad I had to go to the ER, my stomach was as tight as a drum. They were talking about sticking a tube in my stomach to release the incredible pressure, instead, I came home and rolled around in agony for 3 days. I stopped using it, but the side effects continued. 7 weeks of severe gastroenteritis that caused so much inflammation in my body, I have been in so much pain. No amount of weight loss is worth this level of suffering. If you have any GI issues like gastroparesis, you really should not be risking it with this drug, it says so right in the insert."

• Sna...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Been on this for almost a year. Have had type 2 for 18 years now. A1C's always in the 6.5-7.5 range. Was primarily using Humalog to control BS. With Ozempic, sugars stay lower. The peaks aren't as high, and don't have to use as much insulin. The only side effect I get is diarrhea and stomach cramps (mainly gas buildup) 12-48 hours after taking it. On occasion, I will get nauseated. I have stayed on .25 and never increased. So far, I like this drug, and those side effects are manageable. As long as I'm near a toilet the first 48 hours, just in case."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "After 6 weeks, I cried 'uncle!' (admit defeat). Severe and profuse diarrhea, ++ nausea, and bouts of ++ vomiting, and stomach pain all the time caused me to give up on this drug. Lost only 5 pounds in 5 weeks, and I'm sure it was from the extreme GI issues and inability to eat more than 500-600 calories on bad days - mostly just soup! Felt like I had food poisoning for 6 weeks straight. Was hopeful for this drug, but it totally didn't work for me, and the side effects were unbearable - and I'm a tough cookie."

• Sup...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Took my third shot of Ozempic at .25 tonight. Side effects have been horrible since the second shot. Not one side effect after the first shot. I was so happy. Took my second on Wednesday night. Little nausea Thursday. Friday about noon, stomach cramped up, I mean like birth labor contractions, horrible nausea, the worst diarrhea I've ever had, and I'm pushing 69. I thought I was going to die. Diarrhea lasted about twelve long hours. Nausea has never let up. Sometimes I can function for a short period. I'm going to give it one more week and see if side effects lessen. Unfortunately for me, this same side effects come with everything I have tried."

• Sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Ozempic exactly one week ago. The nausea hit by the second day but only seemed to happen in the morning. However, 5 days in, the diarrhea hit. It has been absolutely horrendous. The gurgling sounds can be heard from across a huge room. I have woken up to bowel leakage and been running to the bathroom about 10 times a day for the last 3 days. Then there’s belching, which is worse than a typical 'burp.' It’s happening regularly too. I’m really sad and afraid. I really thought this was going to help me bring down my A1c. But I don’t see how I can continue taking it. I’m calling my endo tomorrow. I need something to work, but these side effects are just not livable. Especially because I work in a corporate atmosphere."

• Bis...
• April 7, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am going on week 11 with Ozempic, and have lost 24 pounds. I have had all 5 of the main side effects, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. I am happy with the weight loss, so am learning to manage these. By trial and error, I've found that I can't eat much at one time (don't really want to), need to avoid fatty foods, drink lots of fluids, and take Senna laxative every night for the constipation, and keep Zofran around to help with nausea. Yes, these first few weeks have been difficult, but the weight loss is worth it to me. Plus, the side effects get less the longer I'm on Ozempic. I am currently on 1.0 mg and think that's quite enough. I am rarely hungry and often have to make myself eat. I hope to lose 65 pounds total."

• 9ru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2022

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Absolutely horrific. I get it works for most people, but unfortunately not me (and should not be promoted as a miracle drug that can help all obese people lose weight, as it doesn't work for everyone). I took 0.25 (the smallest dose) for 3 weeks and nothing (I yo-yoed with my weight; lost a bit then gained it again). After 3 weeks (not sure why 3 weeks for me), the main side effects kicked in. Diarrhea/loose stools, constipation, vomiting, nausea. Worst side effect was for 3 nights in a row, at about 3 a.m. I projectile vomited. First night I almost aspirated and choked on my own vomit trying to make it to the toilet without throwing up. Second night, even though I had the bathroom bin next to my bed, I was still projectile vomiting, and I couldn't sleep as I had a panic attack that I'd pass away overnight and my family would find me dead as I couldn't breathe as I had undigested food stuck in my esophagus. Gave up after 5 weeks of the lowest dose."

• 9ru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2022

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Absolutely horrific. I get it works for most people, but unfortunately not me (and should not be promoted as a miracle drug that can help all obese people lose weight, as it doesn't work for everyone). I took 0.25 (the smallest dose) for 3 weeks and nothing (I yo-yoed with my weight; lost a bit then gained it again). After 3 weeks (not sure why 3 weeks for me), the main side effects kicked in. Diarrhea/loose stools, constipation, vomiting, nausea. Worst side effect was for 3 nights in a row, at about 3 a.m. I projectile vomited. First night I almost aspirated and choked on my own vomit trying to make it to the toilet without throwing up. Second night, even though I had the bathroom bin next to my bed, I was still projectile vomiting, and I couldn't sleep as I had a panic attack that I'd pass away overnight and my family would find me dead as I couldn't breathe as I had undigested food stuck in my esophagus. Gave up after 5 weeks of the lowest dose."

• Gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Took first Ozempic shot in doctor's office. Felt okay through the week. Took second shot and started getting sick that night. Diarrhea and vomiting. My wife had to help me off the floor of the bathroom. Missed 2 days of work. Had to make an emergency visit to the doctor to get pills to stop vomiting. And the sulfur burps were horrible."

• Dix...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2022

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Two days after my first injection, I had horrible sulfur burps that were making me feel sick. By that evening, I had horrific stomach cramps; by 11:30 pm, I had uncontrollable diarrhea! My prescriber advised me to eat six small meals a day and that the symptoms would improve with each injection. I left it twelve days before my next one (as I had a couple of social things I didn’t want to miss if it happened again) and thought at first it was better. A headache day one, nausea on day two, but sulfur burps again by day three. I got indigestion medicine, but it didn’t even touch it. That night, same again; cramps, diarrhea, more burps, and this time intense nausea too. I decided at that point it might not be for me! I really hope it helps some people lose weight, but don’t expect a quick easy fix! I actually felt fatter the whole time I was on it as I was so bloated and tender."

• 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."

• Top...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started on the low dose of 0.25 in July - had no nausea, no loss of appetite, a little loose stool once a week. It's now December, I've stayed on the 0.25 dose and have lost 35 pounds! I feel great, better than I've felt in 10 years. I've even started riding my bicycle. I make sure to drink plenty of water daily and eat regular meals."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "After 2 injections of .25, I started having watery diarrhea. On day 3, I woke up and the diarrhea had leaked out and was in my underwear. I started violently vomiting that same evening. This was day 4 of diarrhea, now with vomiting. My blood sugar levels kept crashing. I rushed to the ER, I had an X-ray, every lab work/panel you can think of, and a CT scan - nothing. Ozempic is the only culprit. I am texting this review from my hospital bed. I was admitted and put on fluids and a liquid diet. They are trying to keep the nausea under control and stop these symptoms before it affects my kidneys from being dehydrated. The Ozempic has been thrown in the garbage, but I don't know how long the nightmare from that so-called medicine will last."