Semaglutide and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Shi...
• May 13, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I've been using Ozempic for a few months now, but the constipation has been extreme. Also, I have been having severe cramping at night and very yellow urine (only since starting Ozempic). I was told to drink more water, I got up to over 4 liters a day but still having severe cramping. Has anyone else had these symptoms which aren't on the list?"

• Dot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm a 38-year-old man with type 2 diabetes and overweight. I was on metformin for three years and followed a good diet and exercise regime, but I couldn't lose weight. Although my blood sugars were perfect on metformin, weight was my issue. My doctor prescribed me Ozempic 0.25 mg, and I was very worried about the side effects. However, I started it recently anyway and injected it in the upper thigh once weekly. I had no issues other than constipation, which I overcame with laxatives and increased water intake. My appetite was reduced by 90%. I used to overeat, but now I can only manage two small meals a day. It's really working so far, but it's still early days. I'm in Ireland, and it costs €150 a month for four injections, which are covered by my medical card. I'll provide an updated review in three months to report how it has helped me lose weight on the scales."

• LMH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "So far so good. I'm only on week 2, but am down 10 pounds with a combination of exercise and a 1200 cal/day diet. The symptoms I've had so far are tiredness, constipation, and some hair falling out (Dr. will be checking my vitamin levels to make sure I don't need supplements with the new diet). It definitely curbs my appetite, which is huge with my diet essentially cut in half. I am looking forward to seeing sustained results."

• Won...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "Was placed on this medication to help with PCOS-caused insulin resistance and obesity. The first two months were a bit uncomfortable - I was nauseated a lot and had bouts of constipation and diarrhea. Fortunately, immediately starting it, my sugar cravings disappeared. I think I had a rough couple of months because of my old eating habits since this medicine slows how fast your stomach empties. As I developed better eating habits, this has gone away completely. I’ve been on this for almost a year now and have lost almost 60 lbs. I’m about 5 lbs away from being a normal weight and I’m barely making any effort at this point; the weight is just coming off. I feel the healthiest I’ve felt in over a decade and have been seeing my PCOS symptoms reduce as the weight comes off. This medicine was a miracle for me. I’ve struggled for a decade trying to get my weight under control. Once the insulin resistance was resolved, it literally fell off."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Wegovy now for two months and have lost 20 pounds. The only issue I have had since starting is constipation. I tried various laxatives, but it took a long time for them to kick in. They have started to work, which is awesome as I was getting concerned. I am a 75-year-old male and started at 235 pounds. I have dropped 20 pounds so far and would like to lose that much again. I have more energy, have dropped from size 40 pants to a very loose 38. As I said, my only issue has been the constipation, but maybe I need to increase my water intake to offset that. I would recommend this product, but the side effects are not the same for everyone. Best of luck to all."

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

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Wegovy for 5 months. I have nothing but good things to say about it. I have lost almost 50 lbs and it has given me my life back. I was overweight and depressed for years after having my last child. The only side effect I have had is some occasional constipation. This medication is amazing!"

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I have been on Ozempic for weight loss for 10 months and I have lost 66 pounds!! This drug has been amazing. At first, I had a few side effects which included nausea and constipation but they did resolve. I noticed almost immediately how much better I felt on this drug. Not only was my appetite significantly decreased, I felt better overall, sort of like my metabolism was more even and my body utilized what I ate more efficiently. I lost my work insurance in November and also lost the coverage for Ozempic. This is the only downfall. I do have private insurance through HealthPartners but not one cent is covered by them. The price per month is around $800. With results this good, all insurance companies should be covering the cost 100% because it will save them millions, billions, even trillions possibly in the future. If they were smart, they would get behind this drug."

• rdm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I had my second 0.25 shot 2 days ago. My appetite is definitely less, and I am able to stay on my 1200 calorie lower carb diet without the hunger that haunted me before Wegovy. I also take a multivitamin once daily. I have lost about 7 lbs. I have been constipated, but nowhere near the amount that opioids do. I do chart my food intake and sip fluids throughout the day. Exercise three days a week. So far, so good."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I just completed my first 2 weeks. I want to lose 35-40 pounds. In the past year, I have gained a pound a month and have been steadily gaining weight every year for the past 7 years. I have previously tried Weight Watchers, increased activity, and calorie watching, and the only time I lost any weight was on less than 1300 calories a day. The first week, I lost 3.5 pounds, more weight than I had lost in the past 5 years even with calorie restriction. I inject in alternating thighs on Friday nights, just in case I have symptoms I can recover without work demands. I have always been gassy, so I cannot comment if there is a difference in the amount. I am noticing increased chest tenderness and muscle spasms. Restless legs are a thing! Taking magnesium once or twice a week also helps with moderate constipation. Reduced appetite, reduced sugar craving, but no impact on munchies. Makes it easier to choose healthier choices. Overall, happy with almost a 5-pound weight loss in 2 weeks. Minimal side effects and well worth it."

• Ret...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "Take my comments for what they are worth since I changed many things in my life at the same time, but I think Ozempic is great. After 5 months, it reduced my A1c from 9.7 to 5.9. I lost almost 25 pounds. I am at 0.5mg, and it has drastically reduced my appetite. Between a smaller stomach and this drug, I often push my plate away before finishing, rarely a desire for dessert. Little to no side effects overall. Some stomach issues like constipation and bloating, but I can't rule out dietary changes being the cause as well. I went on a low-carb diet and really stuck to it for once and increased exercise a lot. The use of the Freestyle Libre Sensor really helped too! Being able to learn how things affect your blood sugar in real time is a great motivator to do the right thing, combine carbs with protein, etc. I am hoping to lower other meds I am on when I see my doctor next month. Once a week, a tiny needle (virtually pain-free) is a far better system than taking pills every day."

• JAO...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I had been on this drug for 4 months. Typical escalation dose until month 4, I stayed on the 1 mg. The side effects were rough since increasing to 1 mg. So much nausea, worsened reflux, constipation, bloating, burping, and indigestion. I vomited once, but there were a few times I almost did. In the last few weeks, I noticed hair loss. Noticed skin tags that I have never had...like 3 grew since the med. Weird. Oh, and I had serious issues with certain smells. I had to change out the hand soaps in my house 5 times. If I smell rubbing alcohol, I am instantly nauseous. Just looking at the Wegovy box before injecting would make me dizzy and nauseous. So weird. Difficult to eat healthy on this med due to side effects, and only able to tolerate simple carbs, low-fat diet. Also hard to work out when feeling so nauseous...so didn't think it was contributing to my health. Has not really contributed to weight loss, and appetite is almost the same as before med."

• Tan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2022

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I have been taking Ozempic since March 12, 2022. I started at the .025 dose for 4 weeks. I had a little nausea, but nothing serious, and some constipation. I have now been on the .050 dose and have very little appetite, and no other symptoms have remained other than occasional constipation. I have to remind myself at times to eat. I have more energy than I have had in years and feel so much better in my clothes. Since March, I have lost 25 lbs. This has been a life changer for me as I feel so much better. I am still 45 pounds from my goal weight, but this drug has definitely helped me. I give the shot in my thighs, as I have read many comments on here to do so for fewer symptoms, and I believe that is why I have done so well."

• 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."

• Mac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2019

"I am pre-diabetic with high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and high cholesterol. I’ve taken Ozempic for 3 1/2 months to help me lose weight. My weight loss is 32 lbs. I am never hungry, and when I eat, my tummy gets full very quickly. Because I’m not hungry, I have used this time to learn the art of healthy eating. No fad diets or keto. My blood pressure is now normal, and I am off BP pills. My triglycerides dropped 150 points. I have had no side effects other than constipation. I now drink 3 liters of water each day and eat insoluble fiber to control it. My husband is diabetic and has been on it for 6 months. He experienced side effects such as nausea and dizzy spells, but it lasted around 3 months, and he no longer has them. His A1C was 9.5 before Ozempic and is now 6.7."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been prescribed Ozempic for weight loss secondary to type 2. I got nauseated with some loss of appetite at 0.25 mg dosage and adapted to it over a month. Lost 9 lbs in that month. I increased to 0.5 mg last Friday (it is Tuesday), and I am miserable. Non-stop nausea, burping, some pain in the stomach, constipated. I feel miserable. I am worried about the stomach pain being pancreatitis starting, so I am increasing my water. I haven't eaten in two days. I will not continue with this drug as I think this just cannot be a good thing to do to one's body."

• Jan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 26, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Ozempic in July 2020. The first few weeks, I had slight nausea. Now, 10 months in, I’ve lost 50 lbs - from 210 lbs to 158 lbs, and my sugar levels, if anything, are on the low side. I’ve just stopped taking my Metformin as they were dropping too much. I didn’t even make it to the 1 mg, stopping at the 0.5 mg. If you can last the first 4 weeks, it’s amazing. The only side effect I have is a little constipation, which I control with PEG when needed. It has changed my life! I feel like a brand new woman!"

• Isa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "My endocrinologist prescribed 3 mg to start because the B12 depletion from metformin (I have B12 anemia) was not good and constant yeast infections from Forxiga were very annoying. At first, I noticed a major appetite decline. There was a bit of nausea for the first 2 weeks. I started the 7 mg after a month and while I've been experiencing constipation, I am so happy about the weight loss. I've been on Rybelsus for 10 weeks and have lost 10 lbs. My latest random glucose test had me at 5.7, down from 6.3 - 7 over the previous few months. I am happy about fewer carb cravings and will stay on Rybelsus as long as I can. I am lucky my health plan covers it because it's quite expensive."

• Bit...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 23, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Wegovy in April 2024. I was 193 lbs at just between 5’1”-5’2.5. I had tried everything, but food noise and the fact that being so short, the calorie intake had to be so low to lose weight. Anyway, the first thing I noticed was a bit of nausea. That went away after a few days. I have had very minimal side effects. Sometimes a little nausea, constipation, or diarrhea. Nothing to really disrupt my life. For the first time in my life, I actually can tell when I am full. My IBS has been almost non-existent. I’m more awake. I have fewer sweet cravings. The food noise is still there, but my stomach is able to signal my brain that if I eat more, I will feel sick. I have lost to date 4/2024-3/2025, 63 lbs. I am just about to hit my normal weight goal. I knew how to lose the weight. I am someone who has a very difficult time shedding the weight with exercise and diet. I am super grateful for this opportunity to prove that a drug works so well."

• Me ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, sulfur burps, fatigue, loss of appetite, super sensitive to smells, I have to make myself eat enough. It's like morning sickness, only it's 24/7. Zofran helps for about 6 hours. Cannot tolerate much besides chicken broth and Brussels sprouts. No fried, fatty, oily, spicy foods. Need to stay hydrated with water. Ginger ale helps. I'm up to a 1 mg dose and 14th week. This nausea is constant and impacts my daily routine significantly. However, it is the only effective weight loss option that's worked in 26 years of diets and exercise and eating healthy. I will not give up. The weight is killing me, and I needed this medication. I started at 221 lbs. and now I'm at 194.3 lbs. BMI is close to pre-obesity, and I know I'll cry the day I hit it. Full disclosure, I'm disabled in part due to my weight. There is no way I could have worked and taken Wegovy with the severity of my nausea and fatigue. But the mobility and breathing issues are improving."

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been taking Ozempic for six weeks. This will be my second week at 0.50 mg, and I have lost 10 lbs. At 0.25 mg, I had minor nausea and was very tired but felt fine otherwise. After my first 0.50 mg injections, I could not drink, eat, or do anything for the first day. I had a lot of nausea and felt like I was going to be sick constantly. By day 3, I had to go to the bathroom about nine times, which was good because constipation is a real thing with this medication. By day 4 and on, I felt perfectly fine. I do watch what I eat, and the medication has cut my food intake by half. You have to pay attention to what your stomach is telling you."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am on my first week of the 2.4 dose (so I am just starting month 5). My weight loss seems a bit slower than others (story of my life), BUT I am still losing! I’ve lost 26 pounds in 5 months with making few modifications to my diet. I eat similarly to how I did before, but my portions are much smaller. I have experienced some side effects, but everyone’s experience is different. I can usually combat the upset stomach and gas with Gas-X and Pepto. I have experienced constipation, but that’s honestly something I’ve battled all of my adult life. Miralax in my morning tea or coffee certainly helps with that. Bottom line for me is this… the occasional side effects are 100% worth the results I’m seeing!"

• Jer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "It was a disaster for me. My A1C used to stay between 7.5 and 8.5, and morning fasting readings were high, like 130 to 160. Increasing Glimepiride from 4 mg up to 8 mg didn't work. My doctor started me on 3 mg/day of Rybelsus. It caused constipation, upset stomach, and a lot of burping. But morning fasting readings came down to around 100, so I was tempted to try it out. After finishing the 3 mg dose for 30 days, I started taking 7 mg/day. My symptoms worsened: constipation, loss of appetite, noisy stomach, lots of burping, GERD, and weight loss from 152 lbs to 139 lbs in just about a couple of months. I could not afford to lose any more weight. I also saw some foamy urine indicating it was affecting my kidney function too. I stopped taking Rybelsus under my doctor's advice, and since then, the constipation is gone, the burping is gone, the appetite is good, and life seems back to normal. I still need to check on my kidneys for any issues since foamy urine is still there. The last A1C was 7.9."

• CSC...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 9, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "The first few weeks I suffered some nausea, and my food intake was reduced probably about 30% as a result. I started at 0.25 for a month, then 0.50 for a month, then 1.00, which was the full dose. I have been on the drug for about 6 months now. My weight dropped 30 pounds from 264 pounds to 234 pounds, and I seem to be leveling at that range. My target BMI weight for 6 feet 3 inches is 210, but I would be happy at 225. I have found that Ozempic did cause some constipation, but overall, once I achieved the full dose for a few weeks, I felt much better. The weight loss has really helped how I feel, and I will be doing my 6-month blood workup next week. Hoping to see some good results with glucose, which was at 6.0, and cholesterol at 259. Overall, I am very happy with the results to date."

• Wor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Beginning weight was 234 and began at 0.25 in June 2024, and just began 2.4 today at 177. Been going up very slowly, but weight loss has slowed way down. Still have 17 pounds to lose, but prefer 27 more. Have gone from 2XL/Size 22 to size 14. Have dealt with nausea, headaches, occasional constipation/diarrhea, depending on what I eat. Small meals, five times a day, plus drinking lots of water is key. I get extremely tired the day or two after taking the shot. I take the shot at night, hoping to be at my goal weight by the end of May 2025. 63-year-old woman and all blood work now within normal limits."

• Weg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 4, 2024

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started on Wegovy on the 1st of June 2023. My weight was 109.7 kg. I started losing 1-2 kg per week at the start. Afterwards, the loss was more between 0.2-0.7 kg. I did not attend the gym or do exercises last year. I have started going to the gym now. My weight now in August 2024 is 73 kg. I have not experienced any side effects besides constipation. The plan is that after the end of August, I will start going down on the dosage and will fully stop taking it at the end of this year. My doctor told me that some of her other patients who have fully stopped it have managed to keep their weight by regularly exercising and by continuing to eat healthy, not overeating."