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Semaglutide and Headaches: What Users Say

Brand names: Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy

Headaches: mentioned by 169 users (6.5%)

Based on user experiences from 2,596 Semaglutide reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

nausea 33.7%
constipation 14.9%
diarrhea 14.8%
vomiting 11.1%
burping 6.7%
headaches 6.5%
upset stomach 6.0%
tiredness 5.4%
fatigue 5.3%
loss of appetite 5.1%

Reviews for Semaglutide

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • ste...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 30, 2025

Semaglutide "I was astonished by how quickly my appetite vanished, and it has not returned. My weight is steadily dropping because I only need one meal a day. My side effects are 1. I find myself a little headachey, nothing too severe. 2. I have a constant dry mouth. That is a bit annoying. 3. My sleep patterns are affected. Also annoying. 4. Energy levels are down. 5. My desire for alcohol is way down. That's a good thing. I'm only 2 weeks into it, but getting this hunger monkey off my back is extraordinary. I would never have thought it possible. My first meal of the day is brunch, and then that's it, I don't have any further desire for food for the day and don't even think about it."

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  • IJK...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 30, 2025

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Was on Ozempic from April to July 2024 - lost 5 kg; then Ozempic was out of stock and the pharmacy was not very helpful. Started on Wegovy; first 0.25 mg dose yesterday, Jan 29, 2025. So far, side effects - mild headache. Current weight 82 kg... hope for the best."

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  • Jul...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 19, 2024

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "It is helping me lose weight, but very slowly. I am experiencing a lot of nausea and vomiting, and headaches, and my stomach is not feeling good. I am on a 0.5 dosage a week."

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Frequently asked questions

  • Mal...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 21, 2024

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm 60 years old, started taking Wegovy for weight loss, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. I’ve been on the medication now for 10 weeks. My starting weight was 296. Currently, I weigh 266, and my numbers are great. The cons are I only feel good 4 days a week. The first 3 days after the injection are tough: nausea, headaches. But as far as I’m concerned, it works great. I’m not hungry at all. I feel much better. Another added bonus for me was I was a heavy drinker. On this medication, I have no desire to drink at all. I went from 5 cases a week to absolutely nothing. I don’t miss it at all. Miracle drug."

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  • Han...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 18, 2023

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I need to lose weight. I have lost 25 pounds in three months with this medication. Worst side effects I have experienced are occasional headache, constant tiredness, and I am cold in the afternoons. I’m on the 1.7 mg starting today."

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  • See...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 14, 2023

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "5'8" F started at 241 lbs. The doctor had me on phentermine (half dose) while waiting for Wegovy to go through insurance prior to authorization. Went down to 219 lbs on the phentermine in 11 weeks, then discontinued that to start Wegovy 0.25 mg. I just took my second injection, so I can describe my first week and shot experience. I had a mild headache for the first 24 hours after my first injection. Not bad enough to need an aspirin or anything, and I think I was overanalyzing my body looking for side effects. After the first injection, I thought I had a metallic taste in my mouth, and now that I just took a second, I can confirm it. Lasted for 12 hours the first time. I also am one of the rare people that taste metal after vaccines if that matters. I was extremely worried about the injection process itself. I'm glad I watched some YouTube videos and knew what to do. It was easy, and I didn't feel the needle. No cravings - I just have to space out my meals, or my stomach feels uncomfortable. Down another 3 lbs. Go Wegovy Wednesdays!"

10 / 10
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  • va ...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • May 5, 2023

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I have been using the product for more than one year and lost 60 pounds. I have had some issues such as constipation and minor headaches. I am still losing weight."

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More FAQ

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

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Tomorrow I will take my 3rd shot of 0.5 mg (previously took 3 weeks of 0.25 mg but messed up one of the needles, so moved up after only 3 weeks at that amount). I have had very minimal side effects in the 5 weeks I've been on it (lost 9.5 pounds). The side effects I get are headaches if I don't drink enough water - WATER IS KEY - and nausea if I don't eat enough protein. Five small protein-based meals a day seem to do the trick. Have not suffered any of the other things people talk about. I've noticed my clothes are more loose fitting than a 9-pound weight loss would normally warrant. Everyone is different - and people tend to post complaints more than praises... so don't get too stressed assuming you'll have side effects. Most people don't. I'm glad I'm on this journey."

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  • Ama...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 15, 2023

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I never had any weight issues until I turned 60. All the weight gain seemed to go right to my stomach. No matter what I did (including exercise and diet), nothing worked to diminish the belly fat. I started taking Ozempic at 0.25mg/week for 4 injections. I lost 15 pounds on that starter dosage. I increased to 0.5mg the following month and lost another 15 pounds. I will begin the 1mg dose this weekend for the next month. The Ozempic seemed to target that subcutaneous belly fat, which is where I had the greatest weight loss. Except for a mild headache after the first dose and subsequent constipation, there were no other side effects. I took something to relieve constipation. My stomach is now almost as flat as a board, and I don’t look pregnant. I know carrying all that excess subcutaneous fat is very dangerous, and Ozempic melted that fat away. I would recommend keeping yourself very well hydrated and asking your doctor for a prescription to address the constipation. Truly amazing!"

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  • Jen...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 1, 2023

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Ozempic on 2/22/23 weighing 216 lbs. As of today, 4/1/2023, I am 191.2 lbs, so just about 25 lbs in 5.5 weeks! I started out at 0.25 for 4 weeks, then moved to 0.5 last week. I've been nauseous maybe 4 times, I’ve gotten a few headaches, and kinda backed up about 3 days a week. I started taking magnesium at night before bed, and that really helped me get more regular. I’m barely hungry and need to force myself to eat. Anyways, I’m really excited and I’m looking forward to summer!"

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  • Smi...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 14, 2023

Semaglutide for Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was hesitant to try Ozempic for weight loss (need to lose 30 lbs) because I have a lot of kids/responsibilities and don't have the time to be nauseous or have debilitating diarrhea, etc. After keeping the pen in the fridge for weeks, I decided to risk an injection, and I'm so happy to say I've had zero side effects except a disinterest in food. I'm on week six of the 0.25 dose because it's enough for me, and I don't see a reason to increase the dose. My lack of interest in food is liberating! For the first time in 30 years, I don't go to bed kicking myself for what I've eaten or making promises to myself to make amends for overeating. Zero sugar cravings...food isn't a reward or pleasure anymore. I'm never ravenous, so I make good, calm choices about what I eat. This has been life-changing and a complete shift in perspective. Obviously, some people have terrible side effects, but I've had none (not even a headache!)."

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  • Hay...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 29, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I was originally prescribed Ozempic in the needle form about 4 years ago. This was an experience I will never forget. Although I dropped weight, the nausea was just too much to bear. I was sick every single day for months on end, it just wouldn't give up, so I was taken off it. Fast forward a few years, and all the weight is back. Last week, after an appointment with my doctor, I was asked to try a tablet form, which they said has less severe side effects. Now, 6 days in, and I'm over the moon, I've lost 8 lbs already. My appetite has been curbed to 3 very small meals a day, but I feel full to my stomach. Now, here's where I have to be 100% honest: this medication is not for the light-hearted. The nausea, headaches, and bad stomach are very, very real. The difference between this and the needle is I'm not physically sick but just feel it all day, every day!!! This is only the 3 mg dose, I will be put up to 6 mg next week and 14 mg in 3 weeks' time. I will post my progress. Good luck, everyone."

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  • Oh-...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 3, 2022

Semaglutide for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "A little background: I am 6'2", 24 years old, and the most I ever weighed was 316 lbs. Always used to wear the baggiest clothes and was not confident in myself. The crazy thing is that it was a “trim” 316 lbs (if that makes sense), like, I play hockey and get around just fine - I was just overweight. In college, I managed to get down to 280 from being poor and walking everywhere. But now I am in the real world working, and about 4 months ago, when I began Ozempic, I was back up to 310 lbs. My mom started it, she liked it, she was down about 10 lbs and told me I should try it. I started at .25 for about 6 weeks. I had not lost much weight in the beginning and had some nausea and pretty decent headaches, but that goes away after about a week or so. I am now taking the 1.7 Wegovy, and I am now down to 265. I feel great, look great, and I look forward to taking the 2.4."

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

Semaglutide 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!"

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  • Lad...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 19, 2022

Semaglutide 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!"

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  • Gla...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 5, 2022

Semaglutide 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."

10 / 10
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  • Lee...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 22, 2021

Semaglutide for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I took my first injection a week ago. I've already lost 10 lbs but feel horrible. Headaches, dizziness, and feel like vomiting. I'm going to keep trying. I'm not a diabetic but was willing to try anything for weight loss. Any advice?"

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  • Wri...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 21, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking Ozempic for 10 weeks for both weight loss, which I have struggled with for years, and diabetes. I experienced nausea, constipation, slight dizziness, and headaches, but nothing that I couldn't manage, and only for 1 or 2 weeks of each increased dose. Went from 0.25 to 0.5, and now I'm on week 2 of the highest dose, 1.0, and currently have no side effects. I have also lost 19 lb so far, the doctor advised a 1200-calorie diet, and I couldn't be happier. My blood levels have come down from high 7's to 6.4, and the doctor is considering taking me off my usual diabetic medication, Empagliflozin. Some folks are saying, 'don't take it,' but just because their body didn't take to it doesn't mean you won't! And you could be missing out on what I would say is a game-changing medicine. I would say give it a go. And I wouldn't give up now for anything. My health has significantly improved. (Free to diabetics in the UK)."

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  • Zel...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 29, 2021

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I started Ozempic 9 months ago. At the time, I was a little over 200 lbs and was taking 1000 mg of metformin daily. Metformin had worked for me for almost 20 years, so I didn't expect that it had suddenly stopped working. For 3 years, I gained weight even though I worked out, and I thought it was just my appetite out of control. One random day, I realized my metformin was the problem. I saw a new doctor who prescribed Ozempic. What a miracle! 9 months later, and I’m down 40 lbs, my A1C dropped from 8.1 to 5.6, and I have virtually no symptoms from the drug other than fullness. The symptoms in the beginning did not last long either. Nausea, headache, fatigue...all cleared up within a week or 2 each time my dose was increased. It can cause what feels like constipation, but for me, it’s just that I simply haven’t eaten enough. This drug feels too good to be true. I’m so pleased with my experience so far!"

10 / 10
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  • siv...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 10, 2020

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor put me on Rybelsus as I had high blood sugar. I had too much difficulty taking the 3 mg with nausea, diarrhea, and headache. I planned to quit, but I read the reviews here. I somehow managed my symptoms and tried harder. My doctor then increased the dosage to 7 mg. Rybelsus was able to bring my blood sugar levels from 10.6 to 5.6, almost normal levels in a period of 3 months. If anyone is planning to quit, please persevere, and the results are amazing. It practically stops your cravings for food and helps you stabilize. Another miracle was that I was finally able to quit coffee in the morning as I get migraines without it. Compared to the nausea, diarrhea, and the churning of the stomach, migraine wasn't a big deal, and I finally went without taking coffee. This is really a miracle drug for diabetes. Thank you."

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  • Bam...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 1, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "This has been amazing for weight loss! How are more people not taking this? I’m now eating like a normal person instead of like a pig. Had a little bit of a headache at first, but if that is what I have to put up with rather than running on a treadmill, sounds like a good deal."

10 / 10
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  • Hap...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 10, 2020

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I've been using this off-label for weight loss for 3 months after consistent diet and exercise, and allegedly controlled Hashimoto's left me frustrated that I still couldn't lose weight. This drug has been amazing. I do still suffer from occasional headaches that are moderate to severe, and if I eat something I 'shouldn't,' there are usually digestive repercussions. But I'm down 15+ pounds in 3 months without any real change to my prior (very good) lifestyle. I lean into the days I'm not hungry and allow myself to eat on the days that I am. It is expensive, but there are great coupons. I will stay at the 0.5 dose until I reach my goal weight and then try to taper off."

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  • Kar...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 10, 2020

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "This is my 8th week and using 0.5. I lost 12 lb and I have more energy now so I go to exercise as well now. Only on the first week I have heavy headache but it was gone on my second week. I thought of stopping it after the first week due to the headache but luckily I continued and I am having a happy life now."

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  • Anonymous
  • February 7, 2020

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor put me on Ozempic to lower my blood sugar and A1c, as every time I check my blood sugar it’s extremely high in the 200s and 300s. So that is why my doctor put me on Ozempic. At the beginning of the year, before the medication, my A1c was 10.8, and my blood sugar was in the 200s. Five weeks later, I went to the doctor this week and got my sugar checked, it was 72. I couldn’t believe it, plus my A1c is 8.2, and I lost 5 lbs in just a short period. I take my shot every Sunday, .25. The day after I take the shot, I do experience some nausea, headaches, and constipation, but it’s only for one day, and it’s worth it for these low numbers. I was scared to take this new drug because I already take metformin 1000 mg once a day, but I’m so happy my doctor introduced me to this medicine. If you guys can get through the side effects, keep taking it, this medicine really works."

10 / 10
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  • Sen...
  • August 29, 2019

Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes "I've been taking Ozempic for about 2 months to lower my Diabetes 2. It's been great, my numbers were 200 to 300, they are now 100-134. My A1c was 9.8, it is now 6.1, and I've lost 12 lbs and still losing. I'm also taking Synjardy XR, a combination of (Metformin & Jardiance), my numbers are great. I eat extremely less on the Ozempic. My only side effect has been an occasional headache, but nausea was brutal. I was getting very nauseated after eating and taking Synjardy XR until I heard about ZOFRAN. Let me just say, if you have nausea and are taking Metformin with Ozempic, PLEASE ask your doctor for a prescription of ZOFRAN (I got the generic ONDANSETRON 4mg). I take it 20 minutes after I eat and have taken my metformin. I NO LONGER get nausea. Zofran will definitely help with nausea if you're feeling sick. You'll thank me later."

10 / 10
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