Semaglutide and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Slw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm on my 13th week at 1mg now. I love it. Yes, I was nauseated at first, but the quick weight loss results made me want to continue. At this dosage, I am not really hungry for food, and if I do feel hungry, it doesn't take much food for me to feel satisfied. I have really cut my portions and also use high fiber, high protein foods. Constipation is real, people, laxatives help. I make good food choices now and am down 25 lbs. I want to keep going, but the coupon has run out, and now my out-of-pocket cost with insurance is around $900. I am so disappointed to have to stop and worried about gaining back or not losing anymore. Novo really needs to make this affordable. The price is ridiculous, and millions of people are dying from comorbidities to obesity every day. I have high-end insurance, and still cannot afford the copays."

• MRS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been taking Wegovy since August 2021. I am down 45 pounds. I did low carb with this which has really helped me to lose the weight I have wanted to lose. The side effects are very real, extreme constipation and nausea for two days after injection. The doctor prescribed Zofran for the nausea and I have taken a stool softener for the constipation. All things said, it really helped curb my appetite. But you have to diet with it."

• Fin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "57-year-old on this for 3 1/2 weeks. I'd like to tell you how much I lost (was 4 pounds at 3 weeks), but I am so constipated for 4 days I cannot be sure what my real weight is (it could be 6 pounds now). Get a telemedicine provider to send you a vial of semaglutide (not the pre-loaded syringes) and use an insulin syringe to administer 1/2 the dose on one day with an ODT Zofran, then take the second half of the dose 24 hours later with another ODT Zofran. I administer in my outer thigh, like you would give insulin. The provider will tell you exactly how many 'units' to administer per week, just cut it in half, say Saturday and Sunday. Take a stool softener on Sunday, which I forgot to do this week! I have had zero gastrointestinal issues, no nausea, no vomiting. The Zofran may be causing some of the constipation, and I don't consider this a real issue, just a minor side effect with an easy fix. I am a Nurse Practitioner, so I have been watching everything for real side effects. I'll update."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "My doctor gave me Ozempic 0.5 to start with. I always had upset stomach, diarrhea with most foods, and an overall sick feeling all the time. I was able to 'live' with it until now. She decided to up my dose to the 1.0 and my body went into total chaos. I am always nauseous, constipated, got reflux, feels like my food is stuck in my stomach and doesn't go anywhere. I'm constantly burping and feeling bloated. The sick feeling feels intensified and I cannot function at work. I took my last one this past Friday night and was miserable all weekend long. Today I am at work unable to function at my best because the nausea is bad. I would say it is effective in lowering your blood sugar numbers and helping you lose weight but not worth feeling horribly sick over. I will not be using this medication any longer."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I've been on Wegovy for a little over a month now. My first injection of the 0.5mg dose was on Friday (3/24/23). The weight loss has been fairly slow but steady. The main thing that I've noticed is that it makes me feel full after I eat. I know it sounds strange, but for some reason, I've never felt hungry or full-I ate when people told me and didn't stop eating until my plate was clean since I was a kid. Now, after I eat a bit, I feel full and stop eating. I've learned to be choosier with what I eat, opting for healthy things, protein and fiber, and less fat and carbs. No crazy fad diets or anything, just being more mindful. My injections are on Fridays, and I've noticed that Sundays are the worst days, but after 2 weeks on a dose, the side effects are pretty minimal. Just started the 0.5mg dose and so this past Sunday was bad, but my doctor gave me a PRN script for Zofran to help with nausea. I hope this review helps someone."

• Dor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started taking Rybelsus 3mg. I was nauseous at first and constipated. I was also belching a lot. After 2 weeks, that seemed to stop. I've been on the 7mg for 17 days and the nausea, indigestion, stomach pain, and now diarrhea have been almost unbearable and are getting worse. I've also started feeling panicky and anxious in the middle of the night with rapid heartbeat. I'm stopping the 7mg tomorrow and calling my doctor. I can't feel like this at Christmas. Going to see if she will put me back on 3mg. My A1C was 9.0. I have no idea what it is now. I've also lost 18 lbs because I can barely eat anything. This isn't worth it."

• Shy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2021

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Been on Wegovy for 7 weeks. Lost 14 pounds. 2nd week into 0.50 mg. It’s a little rough on my stomach. Taking prescription for nausea which happens the day of the injection. Feel tired and occasionally get severe abdominal pains. I can’t eat much and have to really watch the types of food. No greasy foods or spicy or heavy. The intestinal pains were very severe after eating wrong foods. I’m happy with the weight loss but the side effects are rough."

• Cal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Since starting Ozempic, all my numbers have gotten considerably better. I did have nausea for several months, but I took medicine to counteract the nausea, and now I’m feeling much better. My appetite has been cut in half. I have lost a total of 40 lbs so far, and I couldn’t tell you the amount of inches I have lost, it seems that I lost inches first and then weight. I have started going to the gym. My advice to anyone starting Ozempic is to stop eating as soon as you get that first feeling of being full, don’t try to finish the plate just because you don’t want to waste food because it will make you sick if you force yourself to eat it all."

• Sai...
• October 17, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "Dr. ordered 3mg 30 days ago to be added to Metformin 2000mg. Blood sugars have decreased from a range of 200-350 to 120-150. Weight reduced by 14 pounds. I experienced nausea and fullness for the first two weeks. That has tapered off but appetite suppression has continued. After a month, the doctor is pleased with the results, as am I. He has ordered me to continue on the 3mg and my insurance has agreed to cover it with a copay I can afford. I am so grateful for this new med!"

• Oze...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "With just one 0.25 mg dose, I became very ill. Relentless nausea, vomiting, and explosive diarrhea, as well as unbearable stomach cramps. Needed to go to the ER for fluids and to check for pancreatitis. It’s now been 9 days since my first dose, and I still have relentless diarrhea, nausea, and disabling fatigue. I don’t want to eat. I didn’t want to take it in the first place but was ambushed by my kidney doctor. She told me that using Ozempic was a no-brainer and that I would just have a bit of nausea. If you have any gastrointestinal symptoms when taking any medicine, I would think three times about it before using it. I have read it can take up to a month for it to be flushed out of your body, but I am hoping and praying that these horrible side effects stop real soon."

• Soo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I've been on Ozempic for just over a week now as part of a physician-run weight loss program. I was told to expect some GI upset, but I had no idea it would be this bad. Seven days after taking it, I started with diarrhea. One day after injection number 2 (2.5mg), I was up all night with diarrhea, nausea, severe reflux, belching, and eventually vomiting. Medications like Pepto can't seem to touch it. I am going to talk to the doctor next week and see what he thinks. I really don't think it is worth this kind of suffering."

• Tou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am on my 3rd 0.25 dose of Wegovy. I feel terrible most of the time. I have lost 5 lbs and am definitely not hungry due to nausea. My prescriber will not prescribe Zofran with Wegovy because she feels nausea that severe should be considered a negative side effect and the medication stopped. That's reasonable. I read the reviews before I began the med and take Omeprazole daily, as well as Miralax. I am 57, menopausal, and used to feel really good most of the time. Sadly, this med is not worth the side effects for me. I really, really wanted to tough it out, but as a nurse, I feel it's creating problems that I did not have before taking this medication. The nausea is constant, the belching/burping is so frequent that it's embarrassing, stools are like a rock, and the worst feeling is chest tightness. I had so hoped I would be one of those without adverse side effects, but I am not."

• KCF...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2025

For Chronic Kidney Disease "I have been on Ozempic for the past 1 1/2 months. Gradually increased from 0.25 mg for 4 weeks, then 0.5 mg since then. After reading other reviews, the best tip I found was injecting into my thigh instead of the abdomen. Mild nausea, backache, and constipation the first 2 weeks, and nothing now but the feeling of fullness soon after eating, about 75% as much as usual. I have less interest in sugary or fried foods and have lost 12 pounds, about 2 pounds a week. At 74, my Type 2 diabetes is diet-controlled with good A1C's, so my primary use is for weight loss and preserving kidney functioning. The tiny 27 gauge needle is painless, just wish I had discovered Ozempic sooner!"

• Wag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I took my first shot of 0.25 five days ago. I was extremely nervous about taking it due to all of the negative side effects that I read others have had. I decided to inject in my upper thigh late on a Friday afternoon so that if I did feel sick, I had the weekend to take it easy and deal with it. The injection was painless and very easy to administer myself. I honestly noticed no side effects after taking it, other than not thinking about food as much and wanting to eat a little less. I did push the boundaries on the third evening after taking it, and I did have bad nausea, I actually vomited and felt generally ill for about 16 hours (not bad enough to not work though). I pushed the boundaries by overeating air-fried chicken wings (no sauce) that were a bit more greasy/oily than normal. Those really set me off, and I realized that I: 1. can no longer eat any type of greasy food and 2. cannot eat too much. As long as I stick to my normal healthy, low-carb diet, I feel just fine (so far)."

• Kir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm on 2.4 now. Started yesterday and still have pretty bad nausea. It's the worst it's been. Before, it was quite negligible or non-existent. So far, I've lost 21 lbs in 4 months. I was 216, now 195 and I am 5'4'. I still have a long way to go. I started working out and started a vegan diet in January to improve my cholesterol. I know it's tough. I have read so much about it and my expectations were high, like all I need to do is take this injection and the weight will fall off! This will fix all of my problems! I'll find true happiness! But...that's not the case for most people, including me. My provider said that some of her patients have seen no results. She said a 20 lb weight loss is right on track for me and more sustainable than the amazing results some are seeing (though everyone is different). Remember: we are more than our weight. And there is no one answer. If you are taking this and it's not working, it's not you."

• CAD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’m prediabetic, HbA1c 5.7. And I’ve been struggling to lose weight for 20 years. I have an excellent diet, but I eat too much. I’m hungry all the time. I started Rybelsus (paying out of pocket - Ouch) to see if it’s worth hassling my insurance company. On 3 mg, I felt nothing - no nausea, but experienced loose stools. When I went to 7 mg, I felt nausea for 1 hour after taking the pill and decreased appetite the rest of the day. I am easily staying on my 1400-1500 calorie diet, which has never been easy for me in the past. At 1 month of 7 mg, I’ve lost 8 pounds (255 to 247) and feel very encouraged. The science behind this medicine is inspiring."

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

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."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "Have been on Ozempic for 10 months. The first 3 months were very difficult with strong side effects. Mainly constant, but low level, nausea, occasional vomiting, and diarrhea (especially two days after the injection). However around month 3 the nausea and diarrhea subsided greatly and my appetite returned. I had lost weight very quickly (42 lbs in 3 months due to not really eating much). Had to take supplements for a while but am now eating well. The rapid weight loss led to telogen effluvium, a temporary hair loss condition. (I shed A LOT but never showed any baldness or anything). Currently, my weight is still down (I was taken off my blood pressure medication!), my blood counts are perfect, my hair is getting thick, and I eat normally. I now experience virtually no side effects. Really, really, glad I stuck out the side effects at the beginning."

• Fat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "My A1c has been hovering around 7, and my weight was creeping up, so my doc suggested this. I started on the 3, and the nausea and projectile vomiting were rough... indeed, I didn’t think I could handle it. Then I discovered if I take it when I wake in the small hours to pee, if I took it then, I had almost no problems. I’m now up to the 15mg dose, and so far I’ve gone from around 255lb to about 220lb and falling. Two whole jean sizes... haven’t done new labs yet... but the weight loss is remarkable... it’s also quite weird to essentially almost never feel hungry anymore."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2024

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I’m on the starter dose 0.25 mg. I have had zero side effects. Mild nausea in a car - not sure if related? No real appetite, but I am able to eat. No food aversions, but no cravings. I didn’t want a glass of wine after work. My clothes already feel different after 2 weeks. I’m so thankful to be on this journey as my primary did not support me asking for help losing weight. I do not overeat or have issues with food. I had a fractured knee, then a hip replacement, and then two fractured ankles. I was unable to move normally for 2.5 years and gained about 50 lbs. The weight gain brought on joint pain, trouble breathing, sleep apnea, afib, raised blood pressure, and cholesterol. Hopefully in 6 months, I will be down 40-50 lbs."

• sta...
• March 13, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started the 3 mg for one month and lost 7 lbs. I read the reviews about the side effects and saw most have little side effects if taken early, so I take it around 5/6 am with little water. By the time I'm ready to get going for the day, I can have a cup of tea, as it says not to drink within the hour of taking it. My appetite has decreased, I don't pick/snack, and my portion size has decreased. I only ever feel nauseous if I eat too much, but I've got to grips with how much I can eat, and to be honest, I don't really feel hungry. I was eating because I felt I should. No other side effects. On my second month, so will see how it goes."

• Won...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "Was placed on this medication to help with PCOS-caused insulin resistance and obesity. The first two months were a bit uncomfortable - I was nauseated a lot and had bouts of constipation and diarrhea. Fortunately, immediately starting it, my sugar cravings disappeared. I think I had a rough couple of months because of my old eating habits since this medicine slows how fast your stomach empties. As I developed better eating habits, this has gone away completely. I’ve been on this for almost a year now and have lost almost 60 lbs. I’m about 5 lbs away from being a normal weight and I’m barely making any effort at this point; the weight is just coming off. I feel the healthiest I’ve felt in over a decade and have been seeing my PCOS symptoms reduce as the weight comes off. This medicine was a miracle for me. I’ve struggled for a decade trying to get my weight under control. Once the insulin resistance was resolved, it literally fell off."

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I have been on Ozempic for weight loss for 10 months and I have lost 66 pounds!! This drug has been amazing. At first, I had a few side effects which included nausea and constipation but they did resolve. I noticed almost immediately how much better I felt on this drug. Not only was my appetite significantly decreased, I felt better overall, sort of like my metabolism was more even and my body utilized what I ate more efficiently. I lost my work insurance in November and also lost the coverage for Ozempic. This is the only downfall. I do have private insurance through HealthPartners but not one cent is covered by them. The price per month is around $800. With results this good, all insurance companies should be covering the cost 100% because it will save them millions, billions, even trillions possibly in the future. If they were smart, they would get behind this drug."

• HPa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2020

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "In June of 2019, I was prescribed Ozempic for the first time for weight loss. I was given a sample in the office, and my prescription was sent to the pharmacy. My doctor was super optimistic, and I had seen drastic results in someone else I knew, but had been warned about the nausea. I am insulin resistant, have PCOS, and had gastric sleeve surgery in 2008. At the time I started the first 0.25 dose, I weighed 191.2 lbs. On the single pen, I did 4 weeks of 0.25 and 2 weeks of 0.5 doses. At the end of the 6th week, I weighed 173.8 lbs. That’s 17.4 lbs in 6 weeks! Of course, then insurance denied covering it moving forward, and I was unable to continue. But after a year, new bloodwork panels and some adjustments, somehow it has been approved, so I have started it again today! Hopeful for the same results! I had been taking a topamax/phentermine combo and was really disliking the pens, needle side effects, and the severe change in my tastebuds that it caused."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2019

For Type 2 Diabetes "I’ve been on this med for 7 weeks. I’ve lost 25 lbs and my daily blood sugars range from 60 - 90. I use it along with 500 mg Metformin. The first couple of weeks were hard with nausea and stomach cramps. I also had the headaches that others have mentioned in the first couple of days. In week 3, I increased from 0.25 to 0.50. Then came the diarrhea. It wasn't too bad, I was just happy that I could go. I’m now taking 1.0 and experiencing sulfuric burping. Ugh! After doing some research on home remedies to help with the burping, I’m trying a spoon of apple cider vinegar. If you can make it through the first few weeks and you can be somewhat disciplined, you will notice a huge difference in how you feel. In my opinion, the side effects are manageable when I compare the weight gain while taking Insulin. BTW - I’m not severely obese. Prior to being on this drug, my weight was 205, and I’m 5’9 and 47 years old. I hope this is helpful to someone."