Ozempic and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Oze...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "With just one 0.25 mg dose, I became very ill. Relentless nausea, vomiting, and explosive diarrhea, as well as unbearable stomach cramps. Needed to go to the ER for fluids and to check for pancreatitis. It’s now been 9 days since my first dose, and I still have relentless diarrhea, nausea, and disabling fatigue. I don’t want to eat. I didn’t want to take it in the first place but was ambushed by my kidney doctor. She told me that using Ozempic was a no-brainer and that I would just have a bit of nausea. If you have any gastrointestinal symptoms when taking any medicine, I would think three times about it before using it. I have read it can take up to a month for it to be flushed out of your body, but I am hoping and praying that these horrible side effects stop real soon."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Ozempic on Friday. I'm hoping the side effects go away because it has helped my blood sugar readings and helped with cravings. The side effects I'm having are horrible diarrhea, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue. I don't know how long these symptoms will last, but hopefully not long."

• agg...
• June 7, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started taking this 3 weeks ago. I didn’t really have any terrible side effects other than fatigue, but after my third injection, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain hit me with a vengeance. I feel like I ate rotten eggs. I’m not sure I want to continue taking this. I might try injecting it in my thigh like some others have tried. I hope it works because my glucose readings have been in the 90s to 120."

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "When I started Ozempic at a dose of 0.25, I lost 10 pounds, sugar levels dropped from 6.7 to 6.3. I experienced a hard time wanting to drink water and felt water-logged after I drank water. The doctor increased the dose to 0.5, and 4 months ago I started having diarrhea, sulfur burps, bloating, fatigue, and more seriously, a lump on the right side of my throat and a sore throat. My doctor was surprised that I had these side effects a year later after taking the medicine. Ozempic is the only medication I'm taking other than vitamin D, B12, and calcium. My ultrasound shows several lumps, some larger than others, and now I'm waiting for the referral to see a nose, ear, and throat specialist. I stopped taking Ozempic 3 weeks ago. Worried about the side effects of thyroid cancers..."

• 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."

• Swi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started on Ozempic 5 months ago for diabetes 2. Started at 0.25, then 0.50, now at 1.00, and so far I lost weight - 35 lbs. But I’m feeling really fatigued, dizzy, and occasional stomach ache, diarrhea, and my eyesight has changed. Great drug for lowering A1C and losing weight, but the side effects are horrible. I think I’m done taking this drug. Side effects are getting worse."

• 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."

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

For Type 2 Diabetes "Was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in March 2019. Doctor put me on Ozempic rather than insulin, although it's not recommended. He thought it was worth a try along with 500 mg metformin twice daily. The first 3 weeks of 0.25 mg Ozempic were just fine. Very minimal side effects - occasional diarrhea, some gas, and belching. Nothing I couldn't handle. The fourth week of 0.25 mg was worse. Constant diarrhea for four days, nausea, some vomiting. I went to a different doctor thinking I had a stomach virus, he prescribed me an anti-diarrheal, and I felt better. I took the Ozempic at 0.5 mg then, as prescribed. Two days later, nightmare. Diarrhea again, vomiting, nausea, and serious fatigue. I'm in the throes of it right now, and I'm going to be contacting my doctor to see what I can do to counteract this. Besides the side effects, though, it's working beautifully. My blood sugar is down from the high 300s to the low 100s in just a month."

• 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."

• Pea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2023

"I underwent lap band surgery several years ago and am currently taking Ozempic. If given the option, I recommend choosing Ozempic over lap band surgery due to their similar side effects. However, if it is possible to manage diabetes and weight with an alternative medication, I suggest doing so. It's important to administer the injection in the thigh, as other injection sites tend to cause worse side effects. The side effects of Ozempic are persistent and severe, and unfortunately, they are unpredictable. One week you may experience minimal side effects, while the next week, at the same dosage, the side effects may be so severe that you will need to miss work. Ozempic causes extreme fatigue, unlike any other fatigue I have experienced. My eyes struggle to stay open. Additionally, I have suffered from intense constipation for two weeks with minimal relief from laxatives, followed by a few days of uncontrollable diarrhea and acid reflux. I no longer enjoy food; it no longer tastes good, and fruit or tea is no longer refreshing or soothing. I believe there must be a balance between enjoying food and weight loss."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was prescribed Ozempic for Type 2 diabetes to help lower my blood sugar and to help with weight loss. The first week wasn't so bad, just a little fatigued and some upset stomach problems. The second week it kicked in overtime and hit me like a brick wall. I had no energy at all. Stayed in bed because it's all I could do. My stomach was so upset and nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea were so bad, it ran like water. I became more dehydrated with less energy. I have 4 autoimmune diseases and this was the sickest I have ever felt in my life. I almost went to the ER and if not for Covid, I would have. It felt like someone had been feeding me rat poison. It's the worst feeling ever. I truly don't know how this drug was approved by the FDA. I plan to take myself off it. Weight loss and blood sugar need to be done in a healthier manner. Lose weight fast and easy has consequences."

• 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)."

• Mem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have Type 2 diabetes that I’ve kept under control by taking Metformin, Jardiance, and insulin. I saw a new endocrinologist 2 weeks ago who suggested I try Ozempic, with the hope of eliminating the insulin. She prescribed taking .25 mg initially for 4 weeks and then bumping up to .50, also reducing my insulin to 15 units and hopefully eliminating it later. She did say it could cause some stomach issues, but mainly said it could make you not want to eat much. I think in hindsight she downplayed the side effects. I took my first dose a week ago. The first 3 days were fine. The 4th day I started having foul-tasting belches and then got such severe stomach/gas cramping I almost went to the ER. I have a high pain tolerance, so for me to be in that much pain says a lot. I was able to finally get relief by drinking baking soda water, but then had extreme diarrhea, nausea, body aches, and fatigue. I missed 2 days of work. I called the doctor, and she said my symptoms were severe and to stop taking it. Horrible experience!"

• Ris...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Ozempic for about 3 months. Started at 0.25, then went to 0.5, then went to 1.00 2 weeks ago. Had some minor side effects (a little stomach upset, fatigue) with the lower doses, but just this past week, I have started severe diarrhea. I literally can't keep anything in my system. It is working okay... I have lost almost 15 pounds, but I am going to adjust the dosage down if the diarrhea doesn't stop. I also have had a huge increase in burping, which is manageable. Overall, I have positive things to say about this medication, but I think that dosing is pretty specific to the person and should be discussed with your primary doctor if severe side effects continue."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "Extreme fatigue, no nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. Daily fatigue became very difficult to control. I had to lie down and rest 2 to 3 hours a day."