Ozempic and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Zel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 29, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Ozempic 9 months ago. At the time, I was a little over 200 lbs and was taking 1000 mg of metformin daily. Metformin had worked for me for almost 20 years, so I didn't expect that it had suddenly stopped working. For 3 years, I gained weight even though I worked out, and I thought it was just my appetite out of control. One random day, I realized my metformin was the problem. I saw a new doctor who prescribed Ozempic. What a miracle! 9 months later, and I’m down 40 lbs, my A1C dropped from 8.1 to 5.6, and I have virtually no symptoms from the drug other than fullness. The symptoms in the beginning did not last long either. Nausea, headache, fatigue...all cleared up within a week or 2 each time my dose was increased. It can cause what feels like constipation, but for me, it’s just that I simply haven’t eaten enough. This drug feels too good to be true. I’m so pleased with my experience so far!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 8, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was prescribed Ozempic for weight loss in Nov 2022. I started on 0.25 mg for one month. I found it slightly suppressed my appetite, and the side effects I had were awful heartburn, constipation, and sulfur burps. Sometimes I felt nauseous. I decided to stick with it anyway and increased to 0.5 mg after one month. The symptoms were the same but added in fatigue. A month later, I bumped up to 0.75, and the burps, fatigue, and heartburn subsided. I went to 1 mg two months later, and all symptoms disappeared. I started at 192 lbs on Nov 15th, and as of May 1st, I weigh 152 lbs. I found my sugar cravings disappeared once I started taking 1 mg. Up until then, I still craved sugary foods. I lost all interest in greasy food (fries, anything deep-fried, etc.) from 0.5 mg and up. I personally love Ozempic. The side effects at the beginning were worth it for me, but from the sounds of it, mine weren’t that bad. I have never once thrown up."

• Bak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Ozempic for 3 months now, and I find this drug works like none I have tried before. The first 6 weeks were rough: burping, headaches, fatigue, nausea, but I stuck it out. I’m so glad I did. My A1C has gone from 8 to 6.8 in three months. I have lost 20 pounds, going from 180 to 160 lbs. My daily sugars have seen a vast improvement. The major thing I have noticed after being on the drug for this long is that recovery time after eating high-carb or high-sugar foods is back to normal. Appetite is still lacking, but it’s mostly an aversion to ‘bad’ food. I can no longer sit and eat an entire burger, it’s just way too much, but a healthy salad, I can eat the whole thing! I have seen major benefits from this drug. I have way more energy and no more 3 pm crash. Tips while adjusting to the drugs: Tums, Gravol, lots of sleep, light healthy meals, and remember to drink water! Also, I found injecting Ozempic in the hip lessened the symptoms for the first while."

• 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."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "On the fence. Took my first shot of Ozempic .25 last Wed at the doc's office. I was nervous as I couldn't tolerate Metformin's side effects. But she reassured me this was gonna be the answer to my prayers, so I agreed to try it. First day I was fine, then they hit. Woke up feeling dizzy, nauseous, and shaky. My fasting blood sugar was 157. Lower than it's been in quite some time. Ozempic does its job. My BS has been managed quite well. I definitely don't have an appetite. Have to make myself eat and drink. Have very low energy. Tired all the time. Aside from that, it's the other side effects I'm having trouble living with. Waking up in the wee hours of the morning clammy with severe nausea, mild headache, and dizzy. But it's only been 6 days. The constant nausea, dizziness, and headaches are almost unbearable. Not sure if I'm gonna continue. If the effects are like this now, what are they gonna be with the increased dose? There's gotta be a better way!"

• nau...
• December 30, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Ozempic .25 mg subcut 8 days ago. I took my second dose yesterday. My first week, I ended up in the ED. I thought I had a bowel blockage or ileus. The ED visit was preceded by 6 hours of constant, sickening, odiferous belching, constant flatus, eruptive vomiting, cramping, and pain. A CT scan revealed gastric paresis. The event was precipitated by a fatty meal. I have since learned that the decreased gastric motility demands drastic changes in the volume of food intake, fat content, and most importantly, patience with what I consider to be major side effects. Now, I have no appetite. I am nauseated all the time, taking Zofran 4 mg before any meal. The belching is greatly reduced, same with flatus. I feel constipated, but that is easing off. I am avoiding high-fat foods and eating smaller portions. I am profoundly fatigued. Tomorrow, I am getting on the treadmill for 30 minutes each day to stimulate endorphin release to feel better. I have read the symptoms are reduced after 4-6 weeks."

• Odi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "This is my third week, and I feel absolutely horrid! I have constant dizziness, extreme fatigue, and generally feel like crap. I don't think I will continue. It's not worth it to lose maybe 20 lbs, but I can't get out of bed and function. I am tired of feeling like death warmed over. Unfortunately, because it is controlling my appetite, I'm full after a few bites. I am on a 25 mg dose."

• 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."

• Kom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2019

"Oh boy. I just started Ozempic for weight loss at .25. After my first injection, I was fine for two days, and then was constipated for two days—and since then I’ve been pretty darn sick. Violent diarrhea, headaches, some nausea, and very low energy. I’ve taken several days off from work as I’ve felt so bad. I’ve lost weight since I have no appetite, and nausea follows whenever I eat—even broth and crackers. I have international travel planned in 10 days, and I hope that I’m recovered by then. I may try again after my travels, but this has been rough. The worst side effects I’ve had from a new medication."

• 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."

• C01...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "3 weeks in... Initially prescribed for weight management. While my appetite's drastically reduced, I've experienced headaches, some brain fog, and felt a little under the weather. Nausea slightly though it reduced day by day. Fatigue's unbearable. I typically have an upbeat, positive attitude and noticed a not-so-good version of myself just recently. Contemplating discontinuing treatment as excited as I am for the weight loss aspect of it :("

• Iri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started Ozempic a month ago. I had a bit of diarrhea with the first two injections. Now it is just the headache and fatigue feeling. I haven't noticed any changes in appetite. I had been losing weight for three months prior to starting Ozempic. I was down 42 pounds, since starting, I'm up six pounds. I haven't noticed any difference in my blood sugar numbers. Not impressed so far."

• Rea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 25, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Ozempic for about 6 months now, and I've had the absolute worst gastro issues. I didn't notice it much at first, and when I went to my doctor a few months ago, he said it was just my IBS, but after reading these comments, I firmly believe it's the medicine. I have terrible diarrhea. I go at least 8 times a day, and that's no exaggeration. Awful stomach cramps, and I can't even pass gas anymore, literally, I shart. I'm weak and low energy. I've lost 20 lbs, but it's because I'm pooping it away. It helps curb my appetite, and my sugar is good and my A1C is down, but I can't continue this medication. It's truly affected my daily life. I can't go out anywhere that doesn't have a bathroom because when diarrhea hits, I have to go right then. So embarrassing. I'm hoping it's not caused any other issues! Just diet, people, don't take this medicine."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Ozempic for 6 months. My A1C was 10, it is now 6.9. I thought it would be lower after 6 months. I have lost 45 lbs. because it killed my appetite, so some days I don’t eat at all. Side effects: diarrhea after eating, nausea, fatigue, just feeling blah."

• Jef...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started with a 0.25mg dose once a week. I am on week 3 of taking it and already noticed a decrease in appetite and sporadic increase in feelings of nausea. I also have noticed that I get full quicker resulting in eating less. Bowel movements are no longer consistent and can vary in type. I have noticed that I have moments where I have no energy. In order to try and improve this, I have been drinking a little orange juice. I continue to drink a lot of water since I also take Jardiance, which will dehydrate you if one doesn't drink enough."

• Art...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I had my first Ozempic 1mg shot on Monday for weight loss. My appetite is well under control. I am experiencing fatigue, especially after eating, requiring me to take a couple of naps a day. I hope my body adjusts to it. I am still able to function and am actually going to the gym every day and eating about 1000 calories per day. My goal is to lose about 35 pounds and then hope to be able to maintain my weight on diet and exercise alone."

• Jea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "Nausea, bad acid reflux at night, nightmares, headache every morning, constipation, chills, fatigue. Just started a week ago. Blood sugar levels in the 80s and 90s. Have lost no weight. Zero appetite. Blurry vision."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking this drug for about 8 weeks, starting out with the 0.25 dose and now on the 0.5 dose. I have felt miserable the whole time, with nausea similar to pregnancy and with a revulsion to most food and smells of food cooking. Definitely low energy. I have lost weight, and I haven’t had my A1C checked since I started. I will see my doctor in a couple of weeks and will be telling her that I can’t continue to live this way. I’m 75 years young and don’t want to live the rest of my years feeling bad! Unusual, hiccup-type burps, coming out of nowhere and no appetite. Convenient once-a-week administration."

• kem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor switched my medication from automatic insulin to Ozempic, taken once a week, along with daily long-acting insulin injections. I lost my appetite, my mouth feels tasteless, and no food appeals to me, so I have to force myself to eat. My blood sugar levels have been unpredictable, fluctuating between highs of 250 and lows of 60. One minute it’s very low, and after eating, it shoots up, then drops again. I decided to stop the long-acting insulin last Sunday, at the start of the fourth week when my Ozempic dosage was increased from 0.25 to 0.5. Since then, things have slightly improved—my blood sugar isn’t running too low anymore, but it is still high. During this time, I’ve also developed severe heartburn, sleeplessness (only a few hours of sleep at night), and sluggishness, among other symptoms. I contacted my doctor yesterday."

• ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2025

"I was astonished by how quickly my appetite vanished, and it has not returned. My weight is steadily dropping because I only need one meal a day. My side effects are 1. I find myself a little headachey, nothing too severe. 2. I have a constant dry mouth. That is a bit annoying. 3. My sleep patterns are affected. Also annoying. 4. Energy levels are down. 5. My desire for alcohol is way down. That's a good thing. I'm only 2 weeks into it, but getting this hunger monkey off my back is extraordinary. I would never have thought it possible. My first meal of the day is brunch, and then that's it, I don't have any further desire for food for the day and don't even think about it."

• Oze...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Ozempic in January 2022. First week, I had extreme diarrhea with blood and mucus (always constipated before this). Endocrinologist told me he didn’t think it was Ozempic, but I went off it. Diarrhea, etc., continued. Ended up having to get a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. Endocrinologist wanted to put me back on Ozempic. We figured the diarrhea, etc., was just the colitis. Started it back up five weeks ago. No diarrhea, back to constipation, nauseous every day, extreme fatigue. Also now diagnosed with Retinal Vasculitis. But my inflammatory markers are high. Not sure if this all started because of Ozempic. Just increased to 0.5 mg today, so we will see. It just seems like an odd coincidence. No appetite, but no weight loss either. Hair loss, but could be from colitis."

• C01...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I am a week in; no appetite, nausea present but not as bad as the first three days on treatment, fatigue and constipation slightly. Will be back in a few weeks for update."