Semaglutide and Vomiting: What Users Say (Page 2)
Brand names: Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy
Reviews for Semaglutide
- Kar...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 2, 2022
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "It works amazingly well, but the actual and physical cost was too much for me to continue. Been on it since August, and I've lost 40 pounds. That's really easy to do when you're starving due to constant nausea and vomiting. Though I'm terrified of gaining the weight back, as others described, I had to stop taking it as I was so sick every day and exhausted. I'm fighting it, but my appetite has already returned with a vengeance. That's not surprising, considering I've been malnourished for months."
- Pho...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 21, 2018
For Type 2 Diabetes "Was prescribed and took only one dose. Within 12 hours, I was vomiting and had severe nausea. My reaction landed me in the hospital for 8 days. If you have, or even suspect you have, gastroparesis, DO NOT take this drug. I was nearly put on a feeding tube because of Ozempic. It was not a reaction to but an actual severe side effect of this drug. It also affected my vision. Now who is going to pay the ER and hospital bill I have to deal with?"
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?
- Ang...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 22, 2024
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started on 0.25 Wegovy. The injections are painless and easy to administer. For the 4 weeks, I took this dose, I felt fine with little side effects. I lost 3 lbs. I then moved onto 0.5 dose. I took the dose on a Friday and woke in the middle of the night with terrible sudden reflux and vomiting. This happened for 3 nights. I took my next 0.5 dose the following Friday and the same happened, along with dizziness, constant nausea, and very low mood. I have decided not to take the last 2 injections I have left as I just feel so poorly."
- Joe...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 3, 2020
For Type 2 Diabetes "1st, I did not take Rybelsus to lose weight, only trying to get A1C down. For 10 days on this, I did not vomit, but the feeling is there, sometimes I have to gag myself to get that feeling to go away. Felt tired all the time, trouble sleeping, and my stomach always feels full. I don't have much of an appetite either, and oh boy, diarrhea the first 3 days almost seems like you can't leave the house and almost like uncontrollable, need to stay near the throne. 4-5 days later, the diarrhea seems to be better, but the nausea and vomiting feelings keep me away from this med. Also, if anyone likes to try this med, I suggest getting some ginger chew candy, it does help the nausea feelings. One more thing: if you are a guy, beware of this, your libido will go down :-("
- Ddd...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 11, 2022
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on this medication since August 2021. So far, I have lost 36 lbs. I have been on the max dose of 2.4 for going on 2 months now. Side effects I have experienced have been sulfur burps/gas, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sensitivity on my back and scalp (sunburn-type feeling). Although I haven’t had the most pleasant side effects, I would still recommend this medication. Now that my body is used to it and I am up to the max dose, I haven’t had any of the side effects lately, besides occasional nausea. I have noticed the most weight loss on the 1.7 and 2.4 doses. Just this week alone, I have lost 5 lbs. I hope to keep losing at this rate. I am only 40 lbs away from my goal weight now. So far, I have not really changed much with my diet or exercise. I cook my meals at home, drink water, and walk a few miles a week, and that is it. If you can stick it out and get up to the maintenance dose, it gets better!"
- Shy...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- March 26, 2022
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I always had some side effects of Ozempic. Mainly exhaustion, nauseous, occasional throwing up after eating, constipation. As month 3 came and the dose increased to 1 mg, I ended up in the emergency room. I was vomiting and had liquid diarrhea for 4 days. My heart rate was elevated, and my potassium was dangerously low. At the time, I thought it was a stomach bug-until the next injection caused the same effects. I've been on anti-nausea medication since. I can see why it takes the appetite away-being exhausted and nauseous 24/7 is terrible. Potassium is still not where it should be. Hoping this gets out of my system fast."
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?
- Dia...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- August 16, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "58 yo. Woman. Type 2 for 30 yrs. Morbidly obese most of adult life. At 50 years old, had RNY gastric bypass surgery, went from 315 lbs with A1c of 13.5 with meds to 115 lbs. It worked too well. Even so, diabetes wasn’t even close to being cured. A1c was 8.5 at best with Invokana & Metformin. I used every drug there is with little improvement. So, a year ago, started Ozempic .5. Nausea & vomiting for 2 weeks, but then it subsided. After 2 more weeks, went to 1 mg. I don’t get nauseous anymore, but my appetite is completely gone, which is good if you’re overweight, but I’m a bag of bones, so I have to graze on tiny amounts of food all day & night. Because of the weight loss surgery, I already got dumping & can’t eat fatty food or sugar, so it’s difficult, but it’s better than dying from diabetes. It all depends on the person, so try it & see if the side effects go away like they did with me. I’m going to get labs, and if they’re still good, I’m staying with it."
- Wen...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 30, 2018
For Type 2 Diabetes "Hospitalized twice with severe abdominal pain and nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Second visit had a gastric emptying study done. Normal gastric emptying is 30 min, mine was 800 min. Basically, this med damaged the vagus nerve and paralyzed my stomach, not allowing food to empty. Severe symptoms. Missed work, hospitalized a total of over 2 weeks. Praying my stomach returns to normal. Diagnosed with gastroparesis caused by Ozempic."
- Clo...
- September 2, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "Tried Ozempic for the first time on Thursday. Friday night, a bit of diarrhea, Saturday, just felt off, Sunday went out for breakfast, discovered I had little appetite. And then it was non-stop vomiting and diarrhea, to the point I was in the ER. Spent several hours there as they tried to bring the lactic acid back down into a normal range. They told me the higher the lactic acid, the more severe the dehydration. Multiple IVs, anti-nausea shots, and something to stop the diarrhea, plus one CT scan, they said stomach bug. I could go home and recover in bed. Stupid me believed them. Took the injection for the second time on Thursday...same thing, only this time the abdominal cramping was so bad it doubled me over, to the point I was sent by ambulance to the ER. Same round of tests, same results. Only this time, add in pain meds. After comparing the previous Sunday to the current Sunday, they pretty much concluded no stomach bug the first time, but it was due to the injection."
- 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."
- Suz...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 3, 2019
For Type 2 Diabetes "I started on Ozempic in January this year. I have been type 2 diabetic for over 15 years. I was on metformin but found my A1C increasing, so it was recommended that I try this. I have had no problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pains, etc. that others have had. I have lost 26 lbs and am using 1 ml per week. I started with the .25, after two weeks increased to .5, and then after 4 weeks increased to 1 ml. My daily blood test has decreased down from around 10-11 to 4.5-6, and my A1C reduced down from 11 to 8, that was 2 months ago. I will redo next month. I truly think it will be down under 7 when I do it. For me, it is the miracle drug, I feel so much better, and with the weight loss, I feel less tired. I am sure it does not work for everyone, but for those it does, it is a very good product. I did have to get approval through my endocrinologist for my drug plan to cover this. Those without a drug plan would be well advised to think carefully as it is very expensive."
- Cau...
- March 3, 2022
For Type 2 Diabetes "I took .25 for about 6 months and thought this was a miracle drug. Caused slight constipation, but I dealt with it. When they increased me to .5 mg, I started violently vomiting the next day. No one could figure out what was wrong with me. Pancreatic enzymes were high, but not high enough to diagnose pancreatitis. I could barely eat for two months. Gas, bloating, side pain, back pain, stomatitis pain, non-stop burping, constipation, nausea, vomiting off and on. My food perpetually felt like it was backed up into my mouth. They had to take me off of the drug, and now my sugars are higher than ever, and no one can help me. They were okay before, but now doctors consider me as failing two types of drug classes because of this, won't give me my old meds back, and I may have to go on insulin. I am gaining weight like never before and am so tired that I can barely function. They now believe it gave me gastroparesis, and I can't get better. I would recommend this medicine to no one."
- Dis...
- August 30, 2018
For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Ozempic and had no issue with the initial dose of .25. When I had the second dose, I had minor nausea and definitely noticed not feeling as hungry. Five days later, I had severe diarrhea and very foul-tasting burping. The next day, I was okay. Then the following day, I had diarrhea again. I thought maybe stomach virus. Imodium helped me get through the rest of the day. Then it was the day I take my shot (Sunday night). Monday was okay, and then it started again with the terrible-tasting burps, severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. I was unable to eat anything except ice chips. The diarrhea has continued for now the third day. I literally can’t be more than 10 steps from the bathroom. I’ve only had water, chicken broth, 1 banana, 1/2 cup applesauce, 1/2 cup plain rice, and 1 cup apple juice and still can’t stay away from the bathroom. I’ve lost 7 pounds since starting Ozempic, 4 of them have been this week. This is not how I want to lose weight."
- Jus...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 13, 2023
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Ozempic .5 mg once a week. I have taken it for 3 weeks. I have had to stop it because I have been so sick. I have had massively bad headaches, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. After the first injection, I ended up in the ER because of my stomach pain, and then again 5 days later. I haven't been able to keep anything down. I can barely keep 2 sips of water down. I can't even take any of my prescription medications because I am constantly throwing them back up. My doctor told me to stop taking it. My husband says I've lost weight, but that's only because I'm constantly throwing everything up."
- Mic...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 5, 2022
For Type 2 Diabetes "My first 30 days at 3 mg weren't bad. I enjoyed not feeling hungry and only experienced mild diarrhea after eating occasionally, though it wasn't triggered by specific foods, so I always needed a bathroom plan. In my last week of Month 1 on the 7 mg, I had watery diarrhea with nausea for 24-hour periods, 3 times in 10 days. I vomited one of those days. I haven't had my bloodwork checked, and I know I lost weight, but I also lost more than 3 days of my life sitting on a toilet. I ate nothing that would have triggered these episodes. Rybelsus has done one good thing - inspired my butt to get serious about my health without drugs."
- Joh...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- March 7, 2023
For Type 2 Diabetes "I started with the 3 mg. Within a week, my bowel movements became loose. Other than that, it was fine. Started the 7 mg after a month. Within a week, I was nauseated constantly, along with diarrhea. The nausea got worse, and diarrhea continued. At three weeks, I had to stop taking it. The very next day, nausea stopped, and I have normal bowel movements again. I do not recommend this medication. Also, vomiting was a relief a few times."
- Ter...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 1, 2021
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "After 6 weeks, I cried 'uncle!' (admit defeat). Severe and profuse diarrhea, ++ nausea, and bouts of ++ vomiting, and stomach pain all the time caused me to give up on this drug. Lost only 5 pounds in 5 weeks, and I'm sure it was from the extreme GI issues and inability to eat more than 500-600 calories on bad days - mostly just soup! Felt like I had food poisoning for 6 weeks straight. Was hopeful for this drug, but it totally didn't work for me, and the side effects were unbearable - and I'm a tough cookie."
- For...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- May 17, 2022
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Wegovy in December 2021 at 281 lbs, and as of May 2022, I am weighing in at 246 lbs (35 lbs lost). I am on the full maintenance dose at 2.4 mg. I didn't notice many symptoms early on; however, as I got to the 1.7 & 2.4 mg, my side effect symptoms greatly increased - including vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and a nasty burnt popcorn taste in my mouth. This medication will definitely cause you to lose weight as it completely takes away your appetite, but the combination of side effects, mostly the vomiting, makes me question if I will stay on this medication much longer. For reference, I take my medication on Saturday evening and suffer the side effects until about Thursday morning. From Sun-Wed, I find myself in/out of the bathroom throwing up when I attempt to eat the most basic of foods. I used to have a large passion for food, but I can't imagine eating some of my favorite things while these side effects take over. I would recommend for those suffering to lose weight with caution."
- Kas...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 29, 2021
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I have been on Ozempic for 3 months now, the first day I vomited but haven’t since, nausea for the first month or so, and I got very constipated, but now all is good and I suffer no side effects anymore. So far, I have lost 22 kg, I have no sugar cravings, and my appetite is right down, making sure I eat healthy meals is the only challenge as I do not feel like eating. But I could not recommend this enough to anyone who really struggles with food and weight loss."
- Lyn...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 18, 2021
For Type 2 Diabetes "I took 3 mg for 2 months and then started the 7 mg. The 3 mg I had heartburn, nausea, some diarrhea. Was uncomfortable but doable. But once on 7 mg, I had the same symptoms plus vomiting, constipation to the point of hemorrhoids, and severe heartburn to the point I almost went to the ER. I got out the label on this medicine, Rybelsus, and relooked up side effects symptoms on the computer. I immediately stopped on my own, messaging my doctor. Within 2 days, I felt so much better. This medicine is costly too, luckily I had insurance because I will not use this and it had to be disposed of. $ wasted."
- 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."
- Ano...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- May 17, 2025
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "It definitely works. I have lost 15% of my weight in 8 months - almost all of it since January 2025. The side effects are really bad for me though. Stomach pain, vomiting for two days after an injection, and general nausea. I may have to stop or go down to 1%."
- 9ru...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 10, 2022
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Absolutely horrific. I get it works for most people, but unfortunately not me (and should not be promoted as a miracle drug that can help all obese people lose weight, as it doesn't work for everyone). I took 0.25 (the smallest dose) for 3 weeks and nothing (I yo-yoed with my weight; lost a bit then gained it again). After 3 weeks (not sure why 3 weeks for me), the main side effects kicked in. Diarrhea/loose stools, constipation, vomiting, nausea. Worst side effect was for 3 nights in a row, at about 3 a.m. I projectile vomited. First night I almost aspirated and choked on my own vomit trying to make it to the toilet without throwing up. Second night, even though I had the bathroom bin next to my bed, I was still projectile vomiting, and I couldn't sleep as I had a panic attack that I'd pass away overnight and my family would find me dead as I couldn't breathe as I had undigested food stuck in my esophagus. Gave up after 5 weeks of the lowest dose."
See also:
More about semaglutide
- semaglutide consumer information
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Reviews (2,744)
- Latest FDA alerts (5)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- Patient tips
- During pregnancy
- Support group
- Drug class: GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
- Breastfeeding
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "Warning, this stuff will make you sick. I have been taking this for 2 months. In the first month, I had terrible diarrhea. It got so bad I ended up going to the hospital. I told my doctor, and he said he doubted it was Ozempic, so I tried it again in the 2nd month on a higher dose, and the 2nd week in, again I was terribly ill, vomiting for 4 days straight with intermittent diarrhea and feeling absolutely awful. My night sleep is very broken with stomach pains, increased wind, nausea. I'm now stopping using it."