Ozempic and Headaches: What Users Say

• Smi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was hesitant to try Ozempic for weight loss (need to lose 30 lbs) because I have a lot of kids/responsibilities and don't have the time to be nauseous or have debilitating diarrhea, etc. After keeping the pen in the fridge for weeks, I decided to risk an injection, and I'm so happy to say I've had zero side effects except a disinterest in food. I'm on week six of the 0.25 dose because it's enough for me, and I don't see a reason to increase the dose. My lack of interest in food is liberating! For the first time in 30 years, I don't go to bed kicking myself for what I've eaten or making promises to myself to make amends for overeating. Zero sugar cravings...food isn't a reward or pleasure anymore. I'm never ravenous, so I make good, calm choices about what I eat. This has been life-changing and a complete shift in perspective. Obviously, some people have terrible side effects, but I've had none (not even a headache!)."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’ve been on this med for 7 weeks. I’ve lost 25 lbs and my daily blood sugars range from 60 - 90. I use it along with 500 mg Metformin. The first couple of weeks were hard with nausea and stomach cramps. I also had the headaches that others have mentioned in the first couple of days. In week 3, I increased from 0.25 to 0.50. Then came the diarrhea. It wasn't too bad, I was just happy that I could go. I’m now taking 1.0 and experiencing sulfuric burping. Ugh! After doing some research on home remedies to help with the burping, I’m trying a spoon of apple cider vinegar. If you can make it through the first few weeks and you can be somewhat disciplined, you will notice a huge difference in how you feel. In my opinion, the side effects are manageable when I compare the weight gain while taking Insulin. BTW - I’m not severely obese. Prior to being on this drug, my weight was 205, and I’m 5’9 and 47 years old. I hope this is helpful to someone."

• Dim...
• April 7, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "Been using Ozempic for 7 weeks, lost 12 pounds. I also take Xigduo and Lantus at night. Gas, nausea, headache, and a few low A1c. But my number is down from 8.1 to 5.4. For the gas, I find that Gas-X helps. And for the nausea, I sip on cold water and keep my meals small. I haven't thrown up yet and no constipation or diarrhea."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Seh...
• November 6, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Horrible diarrhea after just the first use. Headache. A LOT of lightheadedness. Not pleasant, but I can live with it. I received a sample from my doctor with 6 doses. When I went to have it refilled, there were issues with my insurance (BCBS). The medication is listed as $12,051.19 before insurance! I returned to the pharmacy today. With insurance, 'only' $1,897.99. I will not be getting this medication refilled given the horrid side effects and the IMMORAL pricing. C'mon people, this medication does not cost that much to manufacture."

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

For Type 2 Diabetes "Has anyone been irritable on Ozempic? I've been on it for 5 days. I've had the nausea, headache, and diarrhea, but I also feel very irritable (could be hormonal, LOL). Just curious if anyone else experienced that."

• 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."

• Cap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I took Ozempic last October, but I had to come off it - I was so ill. I'm type 2 diabetic and Hashimoto's thyroiditis autoimmune disease. I'm 57 years old and post-menopause. The doctor decided I should try again, I started 5 weeks ago and had my 5th injection. I have been sick since I restarted. I have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, brain fog, anxiety, burning in my stomach, headaches, and I'm so tired and weak. I tried to stick with it, I'm on the 3rd day since my 5th injection. I am so ill, I still have all the above symptoms, but worse. My kidneys are sore and my lungs. I have pain in my stomach and back. I feel like my body is poisoned, and I have to wait for 5 weeks for it to clear out of my system. I will never take this again."

• Joa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on this medication for 10 months. I started with .25 for 4 weeks, then increased to my prescribed dose of .5. My doctor and pharmacist correctly recommended this gradual increase. However, after beginning the .5, I became very nauseous, had diarrhea and/or constipation, terrible headaches, and all-around lethargy. It was awful. I toughed it out for 2 weeks, but that was it. At the advice of my pharmacist, who happens to be a diabetic counselor, I went back down to .25 for a couple of weeks, then very gradually increased my dose. A few extra clicks of the pen each week until I reached .5. Success!! Now I have no side effects and have lost 25 lbs, which is a significant amount for me. My appetite is very low, and I just don't experience any cravings that I used to. My guess is this very slow, gradual, almost click-by-click increase may be effective for a lot of people. I have read through many of these reviews and cannot imagine jumping right in with a .5, however, I am not a doctor, so..."

• 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)."

• 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."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "1st week stomach discomfort (not too bad). 2nd week flatulence (sudden, uncontrollable, embarrassing). 3rd week sore throat, lots of phlegm, hard to swallow! 4th week, no appetite at all! Sudden diarrhea, no control, running out of me like water! I’m experiencing back pain in between my shoulders! Headache! 8-9 in pain! 10 excruciating!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "Twelve hours after I was injected with 1 mg Ozempic, I had severe headaches and vomited for almost four days. No matter what I eat, I feel dizzy and have a bad taste in my mouth. I ate soft and nonfat foods, but still, the vomiting continued. I never had constipation or diarrhea."

• not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I unfortunately had a very severe reaction to Ozempic. I usually do suffer side effects from most medications, but thought I would give it a try. The first two weeks were headache, general stomach ache, and constipation lasting 2 days after each injection. Weeks 3 and 4 got worse. Stronger reactions, lasting longer. Week 5, I started the double dose, and I was pretty ill for 2 days. Week 6 and 7 was rough, but I thought I could ride it out. Week 8 had me in emergency twice for diarrhea, vomiting, headache, and major dehydration. I was unable to eat or drink anything. I had to get rehydrated and be given anti-nausea meds on both occasions. I guess my body slowed the release of food so much I had a massive buildup to the point even a sip of water made me extremely nauseous. Ozempic is not for me."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I started this medication last week on Tuesday. The first two days, I had a headache and a flu-like feeling. Throughout the week, I felt nausea almost daily, bouts of diarrhea, and bloated. Today is my second dose of 0.25, and I lost 4 pounds in 7 days (probably the fact that anytime I eat, my next bowel movement is diarrhea). I have felt a general unwellness for the last 7 days and am anxious about how this week will go, as I haven't been able to accomplish what I normally am able to. If this week gets worse and I start vomiting and being really unwell, then I will stop taking this medication. I definitely don't have the same appetite I did before, and my junk food craving has basically been vanquished, however. If the symptoms don't peter out or they get worse, I don't see the point, as it affects my son's life as well when I can't be the best mom I can be."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "This is week 1, and I’m already feeling the side effects: headaches, diarrhea, stomach ache, burping frequently that smells like rotten eggs. I get nauseous and gassy. I don’t have an appetite for food. I just started this medication, but I like its cleaning out my digestive system. I am reaching out to my healthcare provider to see what I can take to help eliminate the burping."

• Ano...
• July 7, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "I am not sure if it has been very much help, as my sugar levels have been running high and would need to have my A1C checked to see if it has lowered from my last visit. Have not experienced side effects like others: headache, stomach cramps, vomiting, or excessive diarrhea. Only experienced slight stomach cramps and diarrhea when I consumed greasy foods."

• Mrb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on it for a week and noticed headaches, and my stomach feels like it burns. I also had diarrhea a few times, but now I noticed when I poop, it burns every single time!!! Anyone else?"

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been sick ever since I started taking Ozempic: diarrhea, headaches, weight loss, nausea, throwing up. It's a bad medication."