Semaglutide and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Lou...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 23, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’ve been Type 2 diabetic for over 35 years. My doctor started me on 0.25 mg Ozempic in Jan 2023. I was nervous at first giving myself the injection, but once I did it, the nervousness disappeared. My doctor moved me up gradually. I just started taking the increased amount of 2.0 mg about a month ago. I was never nauseous or had any side effects from any of the previous doses (except I did have constipation). I’m now feeling nausea the day after my new dose of 2.0 mg and it hits me pretty hard, but fortunately no vomiting so far. I’m hoping the nausea will stop after a few weeks. Good thing is I seldom crave potato chips or other junk food! To date, I’ve lost 40 pounds."

• 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."

• Dal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’ve been taking Ozempic for almost 6 weeks for type 2 diabetes and weight loss. I started out 4 weeks on the lowest dose and after the 4th week increased to the second dose. I want to say 0.5 mg. I’ve lost a total of 14 lbs, but it looks like I’ve lost more since you tend to lose inches. I haven’t had any bad side effects for the first 4 weeks, and my appetite has decreased tremendously. I only have to take my insulin once a day instead of 4 times a day due to my glucose levels being normal since Ozempic. I have experienced occasional nausea that doesn’t last long and only in the mornings. Zofran helps. I take my injection in my thigh. Since I’ve increased my dosage, I have experienced constipation. So I would advise you to drink plenty of water, exercise, and get your fiber in, or you will be very uncomfortable. Also, eating smaller portions helps. Overall, I’ve got more energy and feel like this drug will help me become healthier and get off insulin for good."

• 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."

• Mik...
• July 25, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "My last comments were on July 10. I had Rybelsus 3 mg. Now I just finished 7 mg. The med didn’t have any effect on me. Not the 3 mg and not the 7 mg. Tomorrow I will start the 14 mg. Thus far, I did not lose ANY weight. My A1C was, at start, 6.1 and I need to lose about 15-20. No nausea… no lack of appetite… The only side effect is constipation. My eating in general is healthy and controlled. But zero weight loss? Disappointed! I will try the 14 mg and see what happens. Maybe my body needs a “sledgehammer to hit it” to get some results. Lol. Who knows! I really want it to work. I’ll be back to share. Good luck to all. Stay safe."

• Ryb...
• May 20, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "Ok, this stuff works... maybe too well. I felt like my stomach was full all the time. Eating could bring on nausea (i.e., dry heaves, yuck). There was a surprise with 'Mild depression.' I just don't want to do much of anything. I didn't recognize this for a long while but after I saw a discussion of this on a newscast, bingo, that's me. Constipation... yeah... pretty severe at first but thank God for laxatives."

• Oze...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2022

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I’ve been on Ozempic for 5 weeks now. I know early stages. I take it for weight loss, as I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and have struggled to lose weight. My doctor recommended it as it may help in weight loss. So far, I started on 0.25 mg for 4 weeks and just moved up to 0.5 mg in my 5th week. I have not noticed any weight change yet, as it is early stages, but have suffered from some nausea and constipation. In the 5 weeks I have been using it, I have noticed my spirits change. I am eating less, mainly cut out binge eating junk food, and portions for meals are smaller. Despite how expensive the price is, I pay in Australia ($132) monthly. I do have high hopes that it will work. I’m currently 125 kg (275 pounds) and hope to lose weight."

• Gro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Have been on semaglutide for 8 weeks and am presently on a 1 mg dose. First, the positives. I have lost 16 pounds, my intake of Novorapid has decreased significantly, and my blood glucose has dropped from 7.9 to 6.8. Negatives: mild constipation, bloated feeling, slight nausea, reflux acid, lethargy, and wind (burps and farts). I feel the positives outweigh the negatives at the present time, but only time will tell."

• Lad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 8, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "Diagnosed as insulin resistant in early 20s. Also high cholesterol. Both hereditary. Managed it by a very low carb diet, 30g max per meal, for 20 years. BMI on the normal border. Then I hit 45 and early menopause. Sugar levels rose. Gained 25 lbs. They put me on Metformin. Big mistake, it ruined my stomach. Can't process lactose or fructose after that fiasco, and I developed IBS! Be careful of Metformin! Finally put on Ozempic. On it since Feb 2021. The first three months were rough. Major nausea, especially after a dosage adjustment. I lived on ginger pills. Constipation, but I had IBS, so that was not unusual by then. I went up to 1ml, and two weeks later it paid off. Symptoms went away, I lost 28 lbs, and both sugar and cholesterol are normal. Now I can actually eat, for the first time since early 20s, a full measured cup of pasta and not get ill. Doc wants to wean me off... I want to stay on this drug and feel normal for a few years at least. It's been a godsend for me."

• Tis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 22, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "Year this month, still get constipation but use natural remedies to help. Lost 2st so far but slowly also sugars resist so much better and cholesterol. Can’t walk very well although only late 70s. But yes, prefer this to injections. Have had nausea but it gets less as time goes on on bouts of diarrhea not at all often. My bugbear was constipation but hoping natural remedies will work although have powders from doctor prefer natural if possible."

• Sic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking it for 4 weeks. My doctor did not use prescribing information as given by the pharmaceutical company. She fast-tracked me and I am miserable. My A1C is 9.6, and that is why she prescribed this. I'm nauseated, constipated, bloated, miserable. I have not lost weight, I struggle to regulate. I feel my PCP is missing something. I have asked to see an endocrinologist. If you can take it, I'm sure it's great. But being this ill is worse than long-term Type 2 diabetes."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started on Ozempic 12 weeks ago in Jan 2022, which is the same as Wegovy in a lower dosage. I spent 4 weeks on the 0.25 dosage, losing 2 lbs. Moved up to the 0.5 dosage for 4 weeks, losing another 2 lbs, moved up to the 1 dosage for 4 weeks, and lost an additional 3 lbs. I just took my first dose of Wegovy at the 1.7 dosage, and wow can I tell a difference. I won’t lie, I have experienced a few side effects, such as constipation, some abdominal pain, nausea, headache, and diarrhea, but all have been mostly mild and very tolerable. Nothing that can’t be helped with eating a little less. The key to managing all of it is learning how to eat properly with the right portion sizes. Only eat until you are satisfied rather than full. For me, it is well worth dealing with mild side effects in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle!"

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was put on Ozempic for insulin resistance and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). I take my 3rd dose of 0.25 tomorrow. The 1st week taking it, I had immediate loss of appetite and mild to severe nausea. The struggle with constipation is still ongoing. I would say overall I just felt yucky. Took 2 doses before my body mellowed out and the nausea went away. I find big meals overwhelming now, and I recommend eating healthy snacks more frequently throughout the day (due to loss of appetite). Will up dose to 0.5 in 2 weeks and am nervous that the side effects will return, but hoping not. So far, I have lost 3 lbs, but my weight fluctuates up and down 5 lbs regularly, so not sure yet if it is the Ozempic or not."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I haven't read all of the comments, but my experience is very different. Since starting on Ozempic, I have had the typical side effects mentioned (nausea/constipation), but the most upsetting thing is that I have gained almost 20 pounds. I keep taking the medication because the constipation side effect helps me with a gut issue that I've had for years. I wish I would have lost weight and not gained. I've been taking it for 6 months, and if my weight keeps going up, I will have to stop taking it."

• lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2025

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I have lost 20 lbs, but the nausea and constipation never went away. It did help my BP, but if you want to see the effects on your face, go outside with a mirror, and you will see the effects it has on your skin. I have always had good skin, but now I have crow's feet and wrinkles around my mouth that are much deeper than I didn’t have before. What people called Ozempic face is the same thing you get with Wegovy. The fast weight loss will leave you with loose skin also if you are older."

• JAB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2022

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I have completed two months on Ozempic for weight loss. I started with .25 for 4 weeks, then .50 for 4 weeks and have just had my first 1 ml injection. I have lost 1 kg in 2 months. The side effects are slight nausea and constipation. I don't qualify for subsidized medication, and so it costs me $132 AU per month. I am going to give it another month, and if there is no weight loss, I shall give up."

• KRI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Wegovy for weight loss. On my first injection. 0.25 mg dose. I felt a bit of nausea, but it went away, and I was constipated. However, within 4 days, I had lost 4 pounds. I feel great, it also curbs my cravings for food and wine, and I am sleeping better. So far, so good!!"

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2021

"I have been on Ozempic 0.5 dose for about 3 months now. I started slow and steady with 0.25 for a month and then moved up to 0.5. I was pre-diabetic and had higher blood pressure and was considered obese because of my height, 5'4, 180 lbs. I had tried everything to lose weight: diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and absolutely nothing worked because I was what my doctor called 'insulin resistant.' I was actually gaining weight while working incredibly hard to lose it. Now I am down to 165 lbs, and I feel better than I have in years. I had experienced slight side effects for about a month: cramping, constipation, nausea, but all of those have subsided. I basically cannot eat the same amount I used to, and I definitely have majorly cut back on the sweets. I have refocused on my health and healthier eating habits, and this was a step in the right direction for me. I am grateful for it!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have done very well with Wegovy. I am now on the highest dose. This is the 3rd week on the highest dose, and I have lost 25 lbs in 4 months, and I am still losing. I have had some common issues such as nausea, diarrhea in the first month, but that went away. Then in the 2nd month, I had minor stomach pain, and the diarrhea changed to constipation. I am still experiencing constipation but managing it with fiber. Other than these issues, I am happy with the medication, and I feel so much better!"

• Hoo...
• May 17, 2018

For Type 2 Diabetes "Initially began Ozempic 0.25mg for 4 weeks. Side effects were tiredness, constipation. My fasting blood sugar numbers were lower in the morning. When I began the 0.50mg dose at 5 weeks, I had nausea, dizziness, and lethargy the day following the first dose. The second day following that dose, I felt about 70% better. With the second dose of 0.50mg, side effects were less severe, some minor nausea, headaches, and the tiredness continued. I hope that these side effects disappear. I plan to take this medication until I get my 3-month labs, and I expect that my A1c will be down significantly. It was at 5.9 in July of 2017. Due to the stress of caring for a dying relative from September through December, it jumped to 9.3. At my next appointment, my doctor suggested I try Ozempic in combination with Metformin 500mg twice a day. I received a 3-month discount card and have not yet checked with my health insurance provider to see if it will be covered. I am an active 61-year-old female, but type 2 diabetes does run in my mother’s family."

• ADC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’ve been on Ozempic for 14 weeks for type 2 diabetes after I had allergic reactions to Metformin. I started with .25 for 1 month, then .5 for another month, then 1 mg. I had minimal side effects, but I did find that I had some bad bouts of anxiety, which lasted for about 2 weeks. The one physical side effect I have had is constipation, but no nausea, no diarrhea, no headaches. It’s been a very good decision to take Ozempic, my blood sugar levels are close to normal, and I’ve lost 20 lbs so far. I have found that drinking water helps and small meals is key. I found during my loading phase that I could tell when the Ozempic was working and when it was waning, and when I finally got to 1 mg, I felt like it was working all week."

• NK1...
• November 27, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started in late August 2022 at 0.25 for 2 weeks and then increased to 0.50 mg. For the first 2-3 weeks, I did experience some constipation; however, intermittent Dulcolax and increased water intake helped. I did not experience any nausea with the 0.25 mg dose; however, I did experience 2-3 weeks of intermittent nausea with the 0.50 mg dose. My doctor has recently increased me to a 1 mg dose, and I am again experiencing nausea (week 2 on this dose). While the nausea is definitely uncomfortable, it is not debilitating and hasn’t really kept me from any of my daily activities. Overall, I do feel like I have more energy. My appetite is significantly diminished, and I do not experience the cravings for sweets as I had previously. My A1C has gone from 6.8 to 6.1, and I have lost 28 pounds since starting. I am hopeful that the side effects that I am currently experiencing will diminish over the next couple of weeks. I feel like the positives of this medication outweigh the negatives."

• Tra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started Wegovy in Oct 2021. Down 30 lbs. It definitely curbs your appetite. The first couple of months were getting used to the change in signals from my body. Hunger pains felt different and not so intense. I did experience nausea - the doctor prescribed an anti-nausea medicine that helped greatly. Constipation was also an issue - again, the doctor suggested Milk of Magnesia, which helped with that. This has absolutely been a game changer for me. My struggles before were always being hungry, and I mean always. No matter how I curbed my diet (not a junk food/pop drinker at all) and exercised, I just could not lose weight. I had to stop it last month, not because I wanted to, but because my insurance company refuses to cover it. Even though I completely qualify for coverage, they said because the manufacturer could not keep it in stock, they won't cover it. Now I'm trying to maintain the meal portioning I was used to on Wegovy, but it's harder now that the hunger feelings are back."

• PAJ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 2, 2025

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Started this medication last July 2024 for cardiovascular risk reduction and prediabetes. Some very mild nausea in the first two weeks and mild constipation (just eat Activia yogurt). Have lost 22 pounds so far and normal blood sugar and A1C within three months, plus lower cholesterol. No other side effects. Definitely worth it for me, but I did read these reviews ahead of time and some were scary, so I thought I would share this as it has been positive for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started on 0.25 for 4 weeks, then increased to 0.5. Reduced appetite, nausea, constipation, feeling like food just got stuck. I lost over 2 stone. Then started being sick every day, not eating or drinking, every time I did, I was sick. Then I was rushed into the hospital with severe diabetic ketoacidosis. One week after being out of the hospital and recovering, never using this medication ever again. Not worth risking your life."