Semaglutide and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 4)
Brand names: Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
Reviews for Semaglutide
- Mim...
- January 18, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "Started taking this drug 4 weeks ago. I got just a light headache at first, then I'm fine. My appetite is definitely under control. No cookies, junk food, etc. for the last 30 days, and I have lost 17 pounds! I take .50 per week! Wow!"
- Kom...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 27, 2019
"Oh boy. I just started Ozempic for weight loss at .25. After my first injection, I was fine for two days, and then was constipated for two days—and since then I’ve been pretty darn sick. Violent diarrhea, headaches, some nausea, and very low energy. I’ve taken several days off from work as I’ve felt so bad. I’ve lost weight since I have no appetite, and nausea follows whenever I eat—even broth and crackers. I have international travel planned in 10 days, and I hope that I’m recovered by then. I may try again after my travels, but this has been rough. The worst side effects I’ve had from a new medication."
Frequently asked questions
- Ozempic Side Effects to Watch For
- Wegovy vs Ozempic: Which is Right for You?
- Which GLP-1 drug is best for weight loss?
- Tirzepatide vs semaglutide: How do they compare?
- Lin...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 2, 2021
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I have been taking this medication now for 2 weeks and 1/2 for weight loss purposes, and I started with 1 mg recommended by my friend that lost 15 pounds with it in 2 months. Well, I got very nauseous, dizzy, and headaches, which got better in the 2nd week, but I feel very tired all the time, very low energy, and started having shortness of breath. I lost 5 pounds so far, and I'm still not feeling well. I do get full faster when I eat, but it has been very hard dealing with the side effects. At this moment, I'm not sure if I will go on with it or not. My inspiration is my son, who was 242 pounds and now is 205 after 1 month and 3 weeks of being on Ozempic. It has truly changed his life, and he is super happy, he calls it the miracle drug. I will keep you guys posted on my journey."
- Jam...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 2, 2022
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I’ve been on Wegovy (Ozempic) for 10 weeks, first at 0.25 mg and now on 0.5 mg. I have not lost any weight (but not gained any). It has not curbed my appetite, and I still crave sweet stuff. I have had a few side effects, but the worst is constipation, and I have not had a normal poo since I started. I also have a headache, get dizzy if I stand up quickly, and my hair is falling out somewhat. I eat high fiber and take psyllium husk, and still no poo in a week sometimes. I would stay on it at higher doses, but the cost of £155 per month is not worth it if no effect so far. Disappointed because so many have a good result with this medication."
- Ley...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- June 3, 2023
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "From the initial starting dose until I went up to 1 mg, the whole 6 months was a roller coaster of nausea, headaches, and uncontrollable vomiting. The nausea was always followed by throwing up 5-7 times per day. If I ate or drank anything with too much sugar (including fresh orange juice), then I would throw it up within 30 mins. The sulfate mouth smell, along with the vomiting, was difficult and embarrassing. Exhausted and tired feeling, along with feeling depressed and hating/disgusted by food, is how I felt. I did lose about 8 kgs before moving on to Saxenda. Get ready for Ozempic to destroy your life for a few months if you want to lose weight with it."
- Hol...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 13, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "Started Ozempic and did pretty well on the .25 dose, but when I went to .5, things got bad fast. Absolutely the worst burps that eventually have me vomiting. Cannot find any relief from the nasty burps until finally throwing up. I had terrible headaches, and it felt like I had the flu-just completely exhausted. I am done with this medication, and I had high hopes for it. Hope everyone has a better experience."
More FAQ
- Can you get tirzepatide from a compounding pharmacy?
- Why am I not losing weight on Ozempic?
- Does Ozempic cause muscle loss and how to prevent it?
- How much does semaglutide cost?
- Ano...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 8, 2025
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am in week 10/injection 2 of 1 mg and taking Wegovy for weight loss. I started at 142 kg and am down to 132 kg, which is wonderful. My goal weight is 115 kg as I'm tall and solid build. The side effects, nausea, fatigue, headaches, and some bowel upsets tend to dissipate 3 days after the injection. Avoid big meals and heavy/fatty foods in particular to minimize side effects. Not enjoying food and the social side can be a bit tough, but the results far outweigh any downsides. You actually save money overall due to eating less. I intend to stay the course and highly recommend this life-changing experience."
- C01...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 6, 2021
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "3 weeks in... Initially prescribed for weight management. While my appetite's drastically reduced, I've experienced headaches, some brain fog, and felt a little under the weather. Nausea slightly though it reduced day by day. Fatigue's unbearable. I typically have an upbeat, positive attitude and noticed a not-so-good version of myself just recently. Contemplating discontinuing treatment as excited as I am for the weight loss aspect of it :("
- Ano...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 13, 2025
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Have been using Wegovy about 6 months now, down 39 pounds. Some side effects like heartburn, rotten egg burps, and headaches at times are pretty bad. I’ve also noticed my taste buds have changed a lot! Either the food tastes different or it makes me gag within a few bites."
- 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!"
- Lis...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 3, 2022
For Type 2 Diabetes "This medication has made me so sick. I’m on 0.25, and I have been on it a month. Every week, 2 days after injection, I get really bad burps. They smell like rotten eggs, I get a headache, I can’t eat. I was so excited to take this because of all the weight loss stories, however, the side effects for me are terrible. I’m going to stop it and just continue with my metformin."
- Gla...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 5, 2022
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Day 2, no side effects except I'm just not hungry. A small serving of anything feels like an insurmountable feat, and I'm just not interested in food. I would compare it to the feeling you get after overeating and you don't want to look at, smell, or hear about what you just ate for the rest of your life. After the injection, which I opted to put in my thigh in hopes of fewer side effects, I did feel queasy, did have a headache, and some visual ghosting, but that disappeared within a few hours and now I'm just not hungry. It also stopped my GERD. However, food is a large portion of your fluid intake, and if you don't drink throughout the day, you're going to have a very bad time."
- Sid...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- August 18, 2022
For Type 2 Diabetes "My side effects were bad burping and gas, extreme abdominal pain radiating into my back, headaches, extreme fatigue, and more. Three trips to the ER, one MRI, one ultrasound, and three CT scans, and the consistent diagnosis was 'everything looks perfect.' Very disappointed that an ER, GP, endocrinologist, and GI specialist all did not seem to recognize these drug side effects. I see the endocrinologist today and will discuss, looking for better options. I have had a horrible nine months. Very disappointed in both our healthcare chemists and industry in general."
- Blu...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 2, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "I am on my 3rd week of Ozempic. So far, the only noticeable side effects have been fatigue, slight headache after injection, and it has stirred up my GERD a bit. It seems to be working with me. I am hoping all stays as it is now. Probably lucky on the side effects. I delayed taking for 2 weeks to wrestle with the possible side effects."
- Bra...
- March 15, 2021
For Type 2 Diabetes "Ozempic lowers my blood sugar. I have found in the 4 weeks I have been taking it, I have lost weight (not sure how much, but it's noticeable for the first time since I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 6 months ago). I am struggling to decide if it's worth being sick 2 days a week. I have extreme nausea (like I have mild food poisoning), a terrible headache, and I'm exhausted. The rest of the week, I feel fine. It is the two days following the injection that I have these awful symptoms. The first three weeks I was at 0.25, I found by week 3 they were milder symptoms, but this week I have increased to 0.50, and I am extremely sick with nausea and headache. I've found the GI issues mild, but I am on other medication that constipates me. I feel this may have been worse otherwise. I am going to tough it out for the next few weeks until I get to 1, as I found a decrease in the nausea over the first three weeks until I increased the dosage. However, if this is a constant side effect, I will 100% be discontinuing this medication."
- 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."
- Kel...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 20, 2021
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Was Ozempic for 4 weeks. Giving myself a weekly injection. Week 1 and 2, I was okay. The end of week 2, I was really nauseous. By the 3rd week, I couldn't eat or drink anything. My prescriber assured me I would be okay, so I went on with my 4th week. I spent 3 separate days in A&E, and I was diagnosed with a clot in the lung (PE). Now, maybe this wasn't directly caused by the injection, but due to the severe nausea and dehydration, that is how I got a clot. The nausea still continued for 4 weeks after my last injection. I would never recommend this at all. If my clot hadn't been picked up, goodness knows what may have happened. I also had bad dizziness and severe headaches."
- Bma...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 20, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Ozempic about 4 months ago. The 0.25 did very little for me. Once I got on the 0.5 dosage, my numbers improved a little, but nothing impressive. My fasting numbers would be between 135 and 150. My weight was 119 when I started on it, and I am at 112 now. I look way too skinny, and everyone tells me so, but although I'd like to gain weight, I can't, because food grosses me out... all food! These past 2 weeks, my numbers have hovered above 200... fasting, and hardly eating, because the disgust I have for food hardly lets me, and I have also been getting headaches like crazy, and I just don't have the energy to do anything. I actually called out from work today. I can't stand this anymore. I need to tell my doctor to get me off of this."
- Cee...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- March 2, 2022
"My daughter started on Ozempic for PCOS after Rybelsus didn't work. She was on .25 and didn't feel great but ended up feeling really terrible after two weeks. Throwing up every day, headache every day, dizzy, lots of stomach problems, acne breakout. Stopped the Ozempic 10 days ago (after a total of 4 shots), and she is still sick. Waiting for this poison to leave her system. It may work for you, and I hope it does, but it 100% did NOT work for my daughter."
- Poi...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 14, 2022
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "This drug is absolutely awful. I had horrible nausea from the beginning, along with vomiting and headaches 5 out of 7 days a week. I kept being told side effects would get better, but they just got worse. This is my 5th and final month on it. I literally don't remember the last time I was able to eat. 6 of the last 10 days, I wasn't even able to keep liquids down and became severely dehydrated. I had the absolute worst headache of my life. I've lost 12 pounds in 9 days, and not one pound of weight loss is worth it. I wake up in the morning wishing I'd just die instead of having to feel as awful as my body does every day. I took my last dose 10 days ago, so I'm praying this poison gets out of my body ASAP. This stuff is toxic."
- Ano...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 16, 2025
"I have completed my first 4 weeks with Rybelsus, dose 3 mg, -4 kg. I take the pill first thing in the morning between 5 and 6 a.m. Only on the weekend do I eat breakfast 1-2 hours after taking a pill, during the week, it's roughly 3 hours before I eat. I noticed mainly that I don't crave sweets that often anymore (still eat some sometimes, but really small portions). In general, small portions of food, which I am really happy about as I used to eat too big portions. In the first week, I had a headache, but I realized it was my fault, I felt full when drinking water, thus did not drink enough, but after a couple of days, that was better."
- deb...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 13, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "I started taking the .25 a week ago. The first 2-3 days, I had stomach pain, headache, and vomiting, none of which were bad. I took my second shot yesterday, and the gas was awful. The one thing that I really wanted to do was to lose some weight, and so far, I've lost 3 lbs. My appetite is slowly fading, but I have to watch myself because I'm still craving sweets at night. I have to make myself drink fluids, but luckily the one thing I did crave was Cokes, and I don't even think about them anymore. I love this med."
- Cap...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 12, 2021
For Type 2 Diabetes "I took Ozempic last October, but I had to come off it - I was so ill. I'm type 2 diabetic and Hashimoto's thyroiditis autoimmune disease. I'm 57 years old and post-menopause. The doctor decided I should try again, I started 5 weeks ago and had my 5th injection. I have been sick since I restarted. I have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, brain fog, anxiety, burning in my stomach, headaches, and I'm so tired and weak. I tried to stick with it, I'm on the 3rd day since my 5th injection. I am so ill, I still have all the above symptoms, but worse. My kidneys are sore and my lungs. I have pain in my stomach and back. I feel like my body is poisoned, and I have to wait for 5 weeks for it to clear out of my system. I will never take this again."
- Joa...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- March 16, 2021
For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on this medication for 10 months. I started with .25 for 4 weeks, then increased to my prescribed dose of .5. My doctor and pharmacist correctly recommended this gradual increase. However, after beginning the .5, I became very nauseous, had diarrhea and/or constipation, terrible headaches, and all-around lethargy. It was awful. I toughed it out for 2 weeks, but that was it. At the advice of my pharmacist, who happens to be a diabetic counselor, I went back down to .25 for a couple of weeks, then very gradually increased my dose. A few extra clicks of the pen each week until I reached .5. Success!! Now I have no side effects and have lost 25 lbs, which is a significant amount for me. My appetite is very low, and I just don't experience any cravings that I used to. My guess is this very slow, gradual, almost click-by-click increase may be effective for a lot of people. I have read through many of these reviews and cannot imagine jumping right in with a .5, however, I am not a doctor, so..."
See also:
More about semaglutide
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- Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
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For Type 2 Diabetes "Has anyone been irritable on Ozempic? I've been on it for 5 days. I've had the nausea, headache, and diarrhea, but I also feel very irritable (could be hormonal, LOL). Just curious if anyone else experienced that."