Semaglutide and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)
Brand names: Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy
Reviews for Semaglutide
- Hoo...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 30, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "Have been on this med for about 6 weeks. Started at 0.25, now at 1 mg. I have to say I am loving my numbers now. Have lost 12 lbs, and the only side effect is mild stomach cramps occasionally and a slight headache. I only hope the trend continues, since some posts have me concerned."
- TN ...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- October 5, 2020
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."
Frequently asked questions
- Ozempic Side Effects to Watch For
- Wegovy vs Ozempic: Which is Right for You?
- Tirzepatide vs semaglutide: How do they compare?
- Which GLP-1 drug is best for weight loss?
- 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."
- Cal...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 12, 2023
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "My experience with Wegovy has been a rollercoaster. In the first week, the 0.25 mg dose was great. In the second week, I started feeling the side effects of nausea, burping, gas, diarrhea, and bloating. I noticed that I did eat more. Make sure your portions are small and stick to fruit and vegetables. Soups and not greasy processed foods. You may feel sick and will take longer to digest. I am currently reconsidering if I should continue. I am not sure if I want to experience the side effects at a higher dose. I feel terrible all the time and have a headache. I feel exhausted all the time."
- Bad...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 9, 2022
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I am on day 4 after taking this and now bedridden. I have never been so sick in my life: nausea, vomiting, gas, headache, terrible smelly burping, dizzy, blurred vision, the list goes on. I hope this wears off soon, I have to go back to work. I am so disappointed in this product, very scary how it's destroying my body. I can't eat, sleep, barely move, just sipping water. Terrible stuff."
- 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."
More FAQ
- Why am I not losing weight on Ozempic?
- Does Ozempic cause muscle loss and how to prevent it?
- How much does semaglutide cost?
- How does semaglutide work for weight loss?
- oze...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 29, 2020
"I have been on Ozempic for 5 full months to help me lose weight. In that time, I have lost exactly 60 pounds (I had about 100 to lose). I was on 0.25 mg for 6 weeks, moved up to 0.5 mg thereafter, and have been on 1 mg for the past 4 weeks. I certainly experience stomach pains, headaches, absolutely no appetite, severe constipation, feel full almost immediately after eating more than 3-4 bites, and I am not sleeping as well. As of right now, the benefits are outweighing the negatives. I do not plan to stay on Ozempic long term because the possible thyroid cancer/tumors scare me. I am nervous upon stopping Ozempic that the weight gain will come right back."
- Uni...
- May 27, 2021
For Type 2 Diabetes "I'm on my second week. I've lost 2-3 lb. I feel less hungry and don't lose control after I eat. I don't constantly think about food. If I overeat, I feel sick after. I still want sweets, but I can eat very little and feel content, almost put off by it. I feel the most side effect symptoms right after the injections. The side effects have been mild, probably because I put the injection into my thigh instead of my stomach. They include: bowel movements, weird taste in mouth, headaches, tiredness, tummy ache, and earache. But very mild. I'm excited to move up to a full dose."
- 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."
- Mon...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- August 15, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "Started Ozempic in January 2019. I have lost 24 lbs, and my A1C has gone down. My appetite has been cut in half. The only side effect I have had was in the beginning: slight headaches. Those have gone away. If I overeat, I’ll get a sour stomach. But other than that, I didn’t get those bad effects I have been reading about. Definitely happy with the results."
- Ann...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 11, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "Doctor suggested switching to Ozempic after weight loss plateaued with Victoza. Ozempic caused an instant headache lasting several days and nausea. Very noticeable as I never have headaches. The real problem was that two days after taking the shot, I would throw up and be too nauseous to get out of bed for about 12 hours. For the first two weeks, I thought it was food poisoning, but the vomiting was nothing like that. It was a slow, inexorable process, not like my body had to get rid of something bad that I ate. Had also not been sick enough to vomit in years, then it happened three out of four weeks in a row. Switched back to Victoza, no more headache and vomiting. Ozempic was more convenient as it is a weekly shot, but I'd rather not be sick one day a week. The vomiting was awful."
- Ste...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 12, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "Run away. Just run away from Ozempic. Yeah, this will help with your blood sugar, sure. It will also give you terrible side effects. I have been nauseous for 2 weeks, dizzy, headache, lethargy, have gas constantly. My guts hurt so much I've cried. I ended up at the emergency room in the middle of the night, it got so severe. They gave me 2 different types of IV medicine to help and a bag of saline. They told me to quit the medicine immediately but also warned me these side effects could last WEEKS after my last dose. Can't even function. If I take the meds to keep from puking, I'm basically comatose, if I don't, my stomach, neck, and head hurt so much I cry."
- Jpa...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 15, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "I’m into my 5th week and have increased to .5. In addition to diabetes type 2, I have PCOS and IBS. I’ve been doing well so far, other than a mild headache and stomach upset. My appetite is obliterated, and I have to make sure I’m eating regularly. Otherwise, nausea and lightheadedness end up being my trigger to eat because I’ve gone too long in between meals. It’s been confusing for me, as overeating has always been an issue. Now I have no desire to eat and am working at adjusting by eating small portions throughout the day. I’m definitely losing weight, which is much needed. In addition to Ozempic, I take Metformin and Tradjenta, which I’ve been on for a very long time. This week, my fasting blood sugar decreased from 155 to 135. That makes me happy."
- Lax...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 26, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "Update: since my last report, I have not taken another dose. I’m on day 11 of feeling sick and miserable. I have indigestion from the smallest amounts of food, steady low-grade headache, sweats, fatigue, nausea, but the worst is extreme dizziness every time I stand up. This drug may work for some, but my experience from one small dose was horrible."
- 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."
- cat...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- June 23, 2023
For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking Rybelsus for about 3 months. I have had nausea and weight loss. My blood glucose level is much better. It's even sometimes low. I now wear a continuous glucose monitor. I have random nausea after taking the medication in the mornings and can experience nausea during the day if I eat too much or greasy food. I think this is what causes some of the weight loss. You just don't want to eat if you have nausea. I do occasionally get a headache and constipation if I don't drink lots of water. The drug makes me not want to eat, but it also makes me not want to drink, so I have to force myself to drink water, or I get dehydrated and constipated. This drug makes me forget to eat or drink. It's strange. The good side effect is weight loss. Bad is nausea. My insurance does cover it."
- Wan...
- September 24, 2018
For Type 2 Diabetes "Started with the 0.25 dose. The next day, I had a mild sinus-type headache and loss of appetite. No food cravings, no overeating. So far, so good, right? Well, it's now 6 months later, and I've lost 36 pounds. I can hardly eat anything. I am nauseous all the time. No energy. I'm eating primarily cereal, jello, and peanut butter. My A1C is 6.7. However, I need to go off it so that I can get some nutrition in me. Miserable experience."
- kit...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 2, 2021
For Type 2 Diabetes "Rybelsus made me really sick. I didn't realize it until a couple of days ago. I thought I had a virus. I was practically leaning on the wall every day, trying to pull myself out of work to the car. Last week, I spent a lunch time lying on my office floor and then just left early. It is more than the nausea, it was fatigue, significant dehydration, confusion, dizziness, headaches... I'm still feeling sick after 2 days of not taking it. I just read that it can take a couple of weeks to get out of your system."
- Liz...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 16, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "On the fence. Took my first shot of Ozempic .25 last Wed at the doc's office. I was nervous as I couldn't tolerate Metformin's side effects. But she reassured me this was gonna be the answer to my prayers, so I agreed to try it. First day I was fine, then they hit. Woke up feeling dizzy, nauseous, and shaky. My fasting blood sugar was 157. Lower than it's been in quite some time. Ozempic does its job. My BS has been managed quite well. I definitely don't have an appetite. Have to make myself eat and drink. Have very low energy. Tired all the time. Aside from that, it's the other side effects I'm having trouble living with. Waking up in the wee hours of the morning clammy with severe nausea, mild headache, and dizzy. But it's only been 6 days. The constant nausea, dizziness, and headaches are almost unbearable. Not sure if I'm gonna continue. If the effects are like this now, what are they gonna be with the increased dose? There's gotta be a better way!"
- Hat...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 19, 2022
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "This is the worst medication I have ever had. Side effects of egg burps, vomiting, bloating so bad. DO NOT TAKE THIS. 30% of people that try this drug end up having problems with it. DO NOT TAKE. You can't eat, everything that goes into you makes you want to throw up. DON'T TAKE! Never-ending nausea and weakness. DON'T USE, SAVE YOURSELF. Headaches....."
- Dck...
- January 13, 2021
For Type 2 Diabetes "I’ve been on Ozempic for 8 weeks, .25 starter dose for the first 4 weeks; it suppressed my appetite, a couple of mild headaches, and intermittent nausea. Moved to .5 at week 5 and have no desire to eat at all. It’s almost a problem as I feel so weak and have all-day nausea. Hard to tell if the nausea is from not eating, Ozempic, or both. At week 6, I also started taking Humira for spondyloarthritis; the combined side effects are brutal. Sick nearly 24 hours a day, constant nausea, vomiting with any exertion. Backed off the Ozempic to .25; the side effects are better, but still troubling. As a positive, I’ve lost 30 lbs in 8 weeks, all from not eating as I feel too sick and weak to walk or work out. The docs prescribed Zofran 8 mg po every 8 hours as needed. It helps, and I do manage to eat a couple of small meals. Weigh the benefits and downsides, but it does work. A1C dropped from 8.7 to 7.4 in the first 8 weeks and should continue downward with prolonged use and accompanied weight loss."
- Lad...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 19, 2022
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Went to my endo, desperate from dealing with both hypothyroidism and menopause. Have regularly put on 30 kg over the past 5 years up to 114 kg, have extreme fatigue, spine issues, and severe leg pain/body aches. Was prescribed Ozempic to assist with weight loss as nothing else worked. I was very worried about side effects and it not working after reading reviews. Started my 0.25 mg dose 3 days ago, injecting in the upper thigh just before bed, but didn't get the full dose as I pulled it out a tad early. Had some mild nausea the next morning that only lasted a few minutes and developed a headache, but panadol took care of that. I didn't notice much the first day and was worried that it wasn't going to work. However, on day 2, I was only able to eat about 1/3 of my dinner and felt full. Have already lost 0.5 kg in just 3 days. No other side effects that I can tell. Though I do feel more thirsty and am a bit tired; however, that's normal for me, so can't say it's a side effect. Happy so far!"
- 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."
- Jus...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- April 7, 2022
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "My daughter was given Ozempic to help with weight. She has lupus, and with the steroids, she had gained around 30 pounds, which is horrible since she has always been in prime condition with her dance. She has struggled ever since with the weight, even after cutting all carbs, white processed flour, gluten, and anything with corn syrup. We went to no processed foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as exercise. Gave her the first injection (0.25) around 6 p.m. All was good until 11 p.m. that night. She woke us up so very sick. Extreme nausea, then the worst headache ever set in. She thought her head was going to explode. She was shaking all over, extremely lightheaded, and then said she was 'on fire' inside her body. She then totally passed out. Had to go to the ER, we were so afraid. Never again!!!!"
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For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Lost 10 lbs in 3.5 weeks, but the side effects mean I will be stopping. Diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, headaches, bloating. Felt ill most of the time. Working and traveling problematic due to having to be close to a toilet!"