Ozempic and Upset Stomach: What Users Say

• Typ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I am on my 3rd month of taking Ozempic. No decrease in A1C as of yet. Weight loss, none. Ease of use, I find handling the needles cumbersome. The needles are smaller than Trulicity and less painful to inject. Less bruising at the injection site. Current side effects: nausea, stomach pain, stomach discomfort, swelling, bloating, increased constipation, increased hunger, sour stomach, headaches. I find I am forced to take additional medication/supplements in attempting to eliminate some of the side effects. I've taken stool softeners and laxatives in order to improve constipation with limited success. I am taking a pain reliever almost daily for headaches. I am also taking medication to help ease the nausea with limited success."

• Typ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I am on my 3rd month of taking Ozempic. No decrease in A1C as of yet. Weight loss, none. Ease of use, I find handling the needles cumbersome. The needles are smaller than Trulicity and less painful to inject. Less bruising at the injection site. Current side effects: nausea, stomach pain, stomach discomfort, swelling, bloating, increased constipation, increased hunger, sour stomach, headaches. I find I am forced to take additional medication/supplements in attempting to eliminate some of the side effects. I've taken stool softeners and laxatives in order to improve constipation with limited success. I am taking a pain reliever almost daily for headaches. I am also taking medication to help ease the nausea with limited success."

• Dke...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I had high hopes for this drug and stuck with it as long as I could, but it caused severe constipation, stomach cramping, and fatigue. I started out with .25 mg for 4 weeks, then .50 for 2 weeks. I didn’t lose weight, so my doctor increased the dose to 1 mg, but I just couldn’t tolerate the side effects at the lower doses, so I didn’t even try the 1 mg."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started with the 0.25 dose & after 5 weeks went to 0.50. Side effects were minimal, mostly just an upset stomach for the first day after a shot. Pens were easy to use & directions easy to follow. My A1c went from 10.3 to 6.2 after 90 days & I lost 22 lbs. I made significant dietary changes, which were helped because overeating gave me that 'too full to move' feeling you get on Thanksgiving, even with small portions. I eat 4-5 times a day but in small portions & calories under 1200 daily. Constipation was avoided by an increase in fiber/vegetables and water."

• 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."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "25-year-old female taking Ozempic for PCOS and insulin resistance. I take Ozempic along with a strict paleo diet and workout regime. Started on 0.25 for 3 weeks with severe nausea and flu-like symptoms for the first 1.5 weeks. Felt terrible. Only remaining symptoms are constipation and upset stomach if I make a bad food choice. I have been taking 0.5 since May, Dr. not upping my dose to 1. Started taking Ozempic in April 2019 and was 193 lbs and last week weighed in at 177.4 lbs. Lots of people seem to have very severe symptoms, but I have been lucky and have not had any issues with ongoing problems or anything serious enough to skip work or end up in a hospital."

• IBN...
• July 4, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Ozempic for 3 weeks. Yes, it is making me lose weight, obviously because I'm so nauseated all the time that I can't eat. I have stomach cramps, constipation, headaches, body aches, and nausea so severe that sometimes I can't even lift my head up. I'm really trying to give it a chance since a once-a-week injection seems better than taking a bunch of pills. I just don't know how much longer I can suffer with the terrible nausea and stabbing stomach pains."

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

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Ozempic 0.25 for five weeks, it's great for losing weight, but the side effects are not worth it. Let me review what Ozempic has been like. The first three weeks were okay, and then I started noticing nausea, stomach burning, headache, dizziness, upper back pain, severe constipation, and feeling very tired and depressed. I ended up in the ER with a mild pancreatic attack and high lipase levels. I've had no desire to eat or even drink water. It makes me gag, and I used to drink a lot of water. I'm done with these injections. I will stay on my metformin, but I can do better on a healthy eating lifestyle than on Ozempic and all the negative side effects. Quality of life has gone from a 10 to a 1, and that is not me. I'm taking my life back. It's really just healthy eating, and we can all do that with willpower. Good luck to everyone else."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "On December 19, 2022, I saw my medical provider and requested a prescription for Ozempic. She agreed that at 5’3” and weighing 192 lbs, it would be a good option for me. I started Ozempic on January 3, 2023. The first time I weighed myself after starting Ozempic was at the beginning of February, and I weighed 179 lbs. Through February, my weight bounced between 181-175, then I lost another 5 lbs in the first two weeks of March. I’m hoping to reach 160 by mid-April. My weight goal is 130-135. I am very happy with Ozempic’s effect on my weight loss. I have had assorted side effects. I had two days of extreme headaches after my first dose, but I’ve only had mild headaches with dosage increases since. My stomach is mild to moderately upset most of the time, and most of the time I don’t have much appetite. I’m at a 1 mg/week dosage now, and I’ve started having a lot of bad-tasting burps, but constipation is by far my worst side effect. I don’t know if I would have bowel movements without laxatives."

• Cpa...
• July 1, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been taking Ozempic for six weeks. I'm experiencing a lot of the same side effects as everyone else. No nausea, but definitely the cramping, bloating, sore stomach, and constipation. Had to do two fleet routines already. Weight loss has been fantastic, but I'm beginning to worry now. Twenty pounds so far and still dropping. .25 mg dose. Sugar numbers have been great. Don't think it's worth all the side effects. Going back to Farxiga. Much more predictable."

• Poi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started taking this med about a month ago and not sure I will stick with it. After 2 weeks, stomach cramping and some constipation started, but the worst of it all is the stress I am having with horrible sulfur burps. The smell is so horrible that even the smallest of burps can linger in a room for minutes, and you can really clear a room. I have had to have Febreeze Air Fresheners nearby at all times. If I feel a burp coming in the middle of the night, I literally run to the bathroom as it is really very unpleasant for my spouse and it really embarrasses me even after 27 years of marriage as it’s that bad! We just lowered my dose to 0.25 mg, but if the sulfur burps remain, that will seal the deal and I will stop it. Have lost 10 pounds over the month too as appetite is shot, and I’m not sure that’s really the best way to lose weight if you can barely eat at all."

• Juj...
• April 30, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Today marks day 6 on .5 of Ozempic, and I feel like it is working. I have a severe insulin resistance problem and haven't seen my numbers down into the 100's in way too long. My problems with Ozempic are that I can't eat. I'll take a few bites of whatever and get very nauseous and then a tummy ache. I did gain 20 lb in 2 months with the insulin use and feel like I'm losing the weight with Ozempic, but I'm a little concerned that I'll gain it back fast later. Oh, and constipation was settling in, but the only thing I've wanted to eat are cold prunes! Hahaha! So, problem solved. Burps? No, unfortunately, I can't burp! I have the feeling of wanting to, but nothing. Anyone else?"

• 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."

• Ren...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I am a 68-year-old male with Type 2 diabetes. I tried Ozempic .025 low dose, to also lose weight. Have been on it for 5 weeks and have had an upset stomach and constipation since the beginning. Only lost 6 lbs. To me, the side effects of always feeling sick and not hungry, which for me led to tiredness and fatigue, even though I take vitamins, is definitely not worth it. Blood sugar went down below 100 for the first 3 weeks but has gone back to upper normal, 140-150 since then. Not worth it to feel sick all the time. I am quitting this stuff."

• Amb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2024

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I have been on Ozempic for 3 weeks now. I notice I get full faster and do not think of eating as much. I have had constipation with it even though I take a bowel softener and laxative. I had trouble yesterday and felt like my bowel almost got blocked up. Had not gone in two days and got severe stomach cramps. I finally did go with a lot of straining. Went a whole lot at one time. I have not lost any weight yet so far. I am going to check with my doctor on Monday. I am on 0.5 dose every week."

• Sep...
• December 7, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have started Ozempic February 2020. I experienced severe stomach problems, constipation, my sense of smell became too sensitive. I couldn’t eat any kind of meat, eggs, or vegetables because the smell of them was revolting. Gradually, my intake was bread, cheese, and sweets, so weight loss was slow with a lot of carbs that were easy to digest. Since I had depression and previous reflux disease, my doctor kept telling me it is all in your head. I developed piles (hemorrhoids) because of the abuse of laxatives. Cramps in my large intestine were so severe that I begged my doctor I might have cancer. As I stopped Ozempic, I felt an enormous pressure leave my digestive system. Now I have another problem, I lost 8 kilos by Ozempic from February 2020 till October 2021. Two weeks after stopping Ozempic, I gained 4 kilos again, and I have an enormous appetite."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "This is a horrible drug. I thought I was dying, my stomach hurt so bad. I'd be in a ball on the couch. I had headaches, constipation, vomiting, could not eat, lost 20 lbs so fast, my skin sagged. Do not take this medication."

• fem...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 23, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "Serious stomach issues, cramping, bloating, severe constipation, nausea, no appetite, rashes, pain in the upper and lower bowel, gas. Loss of too much weight, no taste for food. Have had previous trouble with colitis and diverticulitis but still prescribed this medication. Only have 1 kidney and now afraid it may be damaged. I have been on this drug for approximately 7-9 months. Now worried, but the doctor is not concerned enough to take me off this medication."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• May 5, 2023

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I made a review when I first started Ozempic. Now, I am on my second week and lucky to have no bad side effects, except for constipation. I have been taking natural laxatives, but they also give me stomach cramps. So, I am going to reduce the dose. I don't know how long I am staying on it. I will see my doctor in two weeks and see what she says. I am not obese, but my cholesterol and blood sugar were high. Also, I would like to lose 10-15 lbs. I have already lost 4 lbs, and I am happy with it. I have always been a healthy eater and now try to be more so. I am happy with it because my weight is more manageable now."

• Pau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I took one injection of 1 mg as prescribed. I have been sick for a week with severe constipation, nausea, dizziness, stomach upset/pain, acidity, gas bloating. I could not eat or sleep comfortably at night. This is very strong and mainly suppresses the appetite. I never had this much sickness from a drug."

• hum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "My A1C's have dropped, and I have so far dropped 28 lbs in 4 months. I feel much better physically and mentally. I started out at 0.25 and am up to 0.5 mg. I did have an upset stomach and constipation, but it's not as bad now. My body must be getting used to it."