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Semaglutide and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 5)

Brand names: Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy

Reviews for Semaglutide

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • San...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 1, 2025

Semaglutide for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "It certainly helps to reduce appetite, almost making you anorexic. Side effects... the beginning with constipation was manageable, but the severe diarrhea is terrible. The heartburn also manageable. Using 1 mg after building up from 18 clicks to 32 clicks. Administering the subcutaneous injection is easy."

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  • Ang...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • February 17, 2025

Semaglutide "I have been taking Ozempic since July of 2024 to treat my obesity. I am currently taking a 0.5 ml injection, and the side effects for me were minimal. I had some stomach cramping and surprise bouts of diarrhea for the first 3 months after the day of injection, but I continue at the same dosage, and so far, there have been no further side effects. In total, I have lost 94.6 lbs so far using Ozempic, and I feel so much better about myself and my appearance. The cravings for sweet snacks and the urge to overeat or comfort eat have gone away almost completely. I wasn't sure about the self-injection at first, but it is so easy to do and convenient that I can dose myself at home."

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  • bob...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 8, 2025

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "Recently changed dosage from 0.025 to 0.05. Have noticed diarrhea with loose, watery runs that just start, and if you are not in close proximity to a bathroom, results in a messy accident. It feels like when it starts, you cannot hold it back."

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Frequently asked questions

  • ric...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 27, 2024

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "It worked great until I ran out and can't afford it; it's between $40 and $100 per month in Europe, but here in the USA/Canada, etc., they're asking for between $850 and $1500 per month... Who can afford that... BS. I hope someone does something to help, but that's not likely... So I'm not taking anything, and metformin gives me so much diarrhea that after 4 years I'm not taking it again... So hopefully, I'll keep on living till 2025 when the price should go down for a few months with my Medicare."

8 / 10
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  • lyn...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 17, 2024

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Week 14, lost only 12 lbs, but improved labs. I have had uncontrollable diarrhea for 4 days now, together with very foul-smelling burps. I had no side effects until I started 1.7 mg. I may have to go back to 1 mg dose. I have more weight to lose."

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  • Lor...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 3, 2023

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was prescribed Wegovy for weight loss purposes. I’m 5’11, 225 pounds, with a BMI of 31%, so I can be considered obese. I’ve been on it for one week and have lost 7 pounds. I’m starting with the lowest dosage (0.25). First of all, the injection was completely painless (for me). I also inject Humira bi-weekly, so maybe I’m just used to it, but I was shocked to feel absolutely nothing. I questioned if I was doing it right, it was so painless. Do not let some testimonials scare you! I did a lot of research while waiting for the drug to come back into stock. 90% of what I read were complaints about vomiting, diarrhea, some people getting so sick they had to go off of it. Some of these reviews were written after only a week or two of the drug usage. So far, my personal experience has been completely different than what I’ve read. That could change as I go up in dosage. As of right now, the only side effect I’m experiencing is a complete lack of appetite."

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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 9, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have lost about 15 lbs from my first vial. This was at 13 weeks. I have noticed really bad heartburn. Now on the second vial, I went up to 0.75 mg from 0.50 mg, and on the first day, yesterday, I had terrible stomach cramps and diarrhea. Not 100% sure it is related to the medication, but it started after getting the injection."

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More FAQ

  • MZ_...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 31, 2023

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I'm on my 4th week, and so far, the only thing I've experienced is stomach discomfort and diarrhea. My stomach usually turns the day of and after the injection, and I have a few days of diarrhea. I must admit that spicy food may have contributed to it a few times. My appetite is light, and my 5th dose will be an increase in milligrams. So, I don't know if the higher dose will come with more side effects. I inject myself in my upper arm because I have less fat there, and I want to get the full effects of the medication."

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  • kar...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • April 18, 2023

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of my use of Ozempic. While taking it, I experienced some side effects such as unpleasant burps, occasional diarrhea (1-2 times per week), and temporary gastroparesis (which subsided after two months). However, the medication also had some positive effects, as my appetite decreased, and I lost 60 pounds since beginning the treatment. Unfortunately, it did take a toll on my wallet, and I eventually had to switch from my hospital/GP to getting it online by telehealth from Semalean. My son has also started taking it, and I would recommend it to anyone who is curious, but only if they are willing to see if the side effects apply to them. If they do not, and the treatment is affordable or covered by insurance, it can be truly amazing."

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  • Bis...
  • April 7, 2023

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am going on week 11 with Ozempic, and have lost 24 pounds. I have had all 5 of the main side effects, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. I am happy with the weight loss, so am learning to manage these. By trial and error, I've found that I can't eat much at one time (don't really want to), need to avoid fatty foods, drink lots of fluids, and take Senna laxative every night for the constipation, and keep Zofran around to help with nausea. Yes, these first few weeks have been difficult, but the weight loss is worth it to me. Plus, the side effects get less the longer I'm on Ozempic. I am currently on 1.0 mg and think that's quite enough. I am rarely hungry and often have to make myself eat. I hope to lose 65 pounds total."

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  • Pnw...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 31, 2023

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I’m on week 5, doing the slow increase up to 2.4 mg. The first month was 0.25 mg, and this month is 0.50, next month 1 mg, etc. Learned after my first dose to do several things. Be super aware of what I eat on my dosing days and the next two days. Nothing fatty, unhealthy, etc. results in diarrhea. I always take Pepcid in the mornings now and on my dosing day, and the next couple of days take another antacid before I eat. I drink lots of water. Also, one time I pushed the pen into my skin, and it didn’t click to dispense the medication, so I lifted the pen and ended up wasting some of the medication."

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  • Oli...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 28, 2023

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "Been taking Ozempic for approximately 4 months. A1C has shown improvement. Am experiencing side effects - bloating, heartburn, loss of appetite. Initially had trouble with diarrhea, but this has lessened."

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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 13, 2022

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I’ve been on Wegovy for about 6 months, and I’m about done with it. I’ve been sick more times than I think I have in my entire life. It does help with weight loss and appetite suppressant, but the side effects are so bad. I’ve had week-long bouts of nausea, diarrhea, and acid reflux. I can no longer eat spicy foods or dairy. If you have a strong stomach, I recommend it, but if you don’t, good luck!"

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  • Jen...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 3, 2022

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started this weight loss journey with Wegovy 4 days ago. No nausea, but definitely have some diarrhea starting the second day. I will continue with the treatment unless the side effects change or worsen."

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  • geo...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 18, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Ozempic for 6 months now. My weight has dropped from 134 kg to 102 kg, a loss of 32 kilograms. I was unwell for the first 2 months, but things settled after that. However, during the past month, I have started getting really bad nausea with some vomiting, diarrhea, and burping (sulfur taste). The doctor has dropped me back down to 0.5 mg dose to see if it improves. I do not take any other medication. HbA1 has gone from 7.1 down to 5.7. Blood glucose is in the 4.9 to 5.8 range. I must stress that for this to work, you have to watch what you are eating and do regular exercise."

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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • September 1, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been taking Ozempic 0.5 for 10 months and lost 10 kg. Once a week, I get sulfur breath followed by terrible diarrhea. Has anyone else had this side effect?"

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  • SuT...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 4, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Rybelsus for 11 days now. The first few days were horrible. I had diarrhea and stomach pains, even threw up twice. I am still having side effects on day 11 but not as bad. I’m taking Zofran for the nausea. I have already lost 8 lbs, which I’m sure is not healthy, but I don’t have an appetite on this medication. Before this medication, I would eat all the time, it seemed like I never was full. My sugar levels are as low as they’ve ever been. I am tired and have lower energy. I'm hoping after another week on it the side effects will subside. I have been struggling with weight loss my whole adult life and can never break through the plateau phase. I think this medication will help if I can withstand the side effects."

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  • Jan...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 24, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I have been using Ozempic for 12 weeks. Initial physical reactions were terrible, with diarrhea, burping, extreme bloating feeling, loss of appetite. It was terrible, as described by other reviewers. I ran to the washroom 20 times per day in the first 2 weeks at .25. It drained so much of my energy and day-to-day momentum. In two weeks, I lost 10 lbs due to loss of appetite and the diarrhea. At the same time, in 4 weeks, my blood sugar dropped from an average of 8.5 to only 6.2. In week 15 to date, I guess my body has adapted to Ozempic. In week 16, my dose was increased to 0.50. I also dropped one of my diabetes oral drugs. My bowel movements normalized to only 3 times a day. I still have a lack of appetite that I thought would be beneficial for me. For only once a week injection, I will continue having Ozempic."

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  • Onw...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 18, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I am male (early 50s). Blood glucose was already regulated with metformin, diet, and exercise (100 to 150), but I wanted to quit metformin because of its side effects (diarrhea). I was put on 0.50 mg/wk and warned that nausea from Ozempic was a common side effect. I had no idea! Week 1/Week 2: I couldn't smell food without getting queasy. I choked down lots of soup just to get 1200 cal/day (often falling short). Week 3/Week 4 got slightly better. Week 5: I have my appetite back. I feel full, so I eat smaller meals. My weight loss is atypical: 203 lbs to 183 lbs in five weeks, combined with exercise (1 hr/4x wk stationary bike/treadmill). Blood glucose is now between 90 and 120, with occasional dips and peaks. I would only recommend this drug to those who have very high glucose levels, are morbidly obese, fiercely stubborn, and/or desperate. But it works. Good luck."

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  • Nw2...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 20, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "Started April 1, 2021, on Ozempic low dose. 3-week intervals it was increased. Side effects were constipation (went on laxatives to help), pain in my back (severe), bloating. Week 11 increased to 1mg, the side effects were major bloating, diarrhea, sounds in my stomach (crazy), nauseous, feeling under the weather. My appetite has decreased to the point that I only eat 2 meals a day that are small. My sugar levels have decreased from 7.1 to 5.2 A1C. I’ve noticed that I have been kept awake some nights like I’m nervous for some reason. In the first 3 weeks, I’ve lost 15 pounds. Haven’t checked since I want to wait but can feel a difference. The pains in the stomach are really uncomfortable, and the bloating I will try gas-x for relief. When I try to eat more than I should, my body tells me that I’m full. If I go beyond that point, I get severe pains in the stomach for hours. But depends on what I eat. Going to stay with smaller portions/healthier foods."

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  • Bea...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 7, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Ozempic for 6 months now. After the first few injections, I was so sick, vomiting, and diarrhea all the time. I called the doc and said I couldn’t take this anymore. Of course, I lost weight, as I couldn’t keep anything in me. I researched the medication itself to understand exactly what it was & how it worked. I decided to stay on it. My A1c was 8.8 when I started. 3 months later, 6.4. I am down 36 pounds. I have been exercising regularly for 3 months now, running 3.5 miles 5 times a week. The confidence and energy from the weight loss outweighs all the negative side effects in the beginning for me! Blood sugar control is excellent, and I suspect will only improve after the continued weight loss. I have stalled with weight loss twice now, but not giving up, and sticking to my exercise (changing it up a bit to gain more muscle to burn fat), I have been able to overcome the stalls and continue to lose. Complete game changer medication for me!!"

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  • Cha...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 16, 2020

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I am on the 23rd day of the 3 mg dosage. Looks like most of the reviews have the same common denominator: nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and I’m about to add myself to the list with those same side effects. I’ve lost a few pounds, and my glucose numbers are dropping. I don’t like being too nauseous to want to eat, but underneath, I feel very hungry. I’m hoping this will resolve itself, and maybe it’s just an adjustment. Otherwise, I might have to rethink this."

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  • TN ...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 5, 2020

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I've been taking Rybelsus, along with metformin and Farxiga, for over 3 months. I had some minor diarrhea/constipation with the 3 mg that worked itself out quickly, but I lost over 5 lbs and A1C went down over 1 pt (8.3 to 7.2). Just started the 7 mg dose 5 days ago. So far, the diarrhea is a lot worse, and I'm having a lot of dizziness/nausea/fatigue/headaches, but I'm hoping it'll stop soon. I seem to start feeling worse about 5-6 hrs after taking the pill, so I'm sick in bed for hours in the afternoon and evening lately. Not good, as I'm a disabled housewife with two special needs adult children who depend on me. Not sure how someone who works a 9 to 5 job would be able to handle this transition period. If it doesn't sort itself out within a couple of weeks, I'll call my doctor. One tip: keep some saltine crackers and eat a few every hour or so. I know, against diabetic diet, but that and plenty of water help the nausea."

8 / 10
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  • Nan...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 3, 2020

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I have been using Ozempic for 3 weeks now. I'm down 4 lbs. And have had a little constipation the first week...and then loose to normal b.m.s. I have no headaches, no vomiting, no bad tastes. I'm using .25 for one more week then use .50. Will keep you informed."

8 / 10
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  • Nuk...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • December 13, 2019

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Ozempic for a year. Taking 1.0 mg. Pros: Have lost 40 pounds. A1c went from over 8 to 6.2. Have stopped taking insulin and glyburide. All positive. Cons: Days of constipation followed by hours of diarrhea. No appetite. Cost is way out of control. But I'm satisfied enough that I'm still on it."

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.