Semaglutide and Vomiting: What Users Say
Brand names: Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy
Reviews for Semaglutide
- jam...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- June 2, 2021
For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on 0.5 Ozempic for 2 months now. The nausea is no better. I vomit almost every day. Driving down the road and I begin to vomit. Almost caused me to wreck my car twice now. I've lost 30 pounds and feel terrible. My stomach hurts all the time and now my back. I do not urinate much at all even though I've increased water. Calling today and going off it. Losing weight is great, but not at the cost of feeling horrible every day."
- The...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- April 6, 2021
For Type 2 Diabetes "It’s been a week on Rybelsus 3mg. I feel pretty good (except for seasonal allergies). No nausea, no vomiting, no diarrhea, smaller appetite. I am prediabetic with BMI >30. I would like to lose 30 to 40 pounds. I think Rybelsus will help me. (Prior to taking Rybelsus, I was fasting (16-hour/8-hour) and exercising EVERY day and STILL gaining weight.) I think Rybelsus will help. I weigh daily, and I am beginning to see the numbers ever so slightly trend down. I am optimistic. I will start 7mg after 30 days. I hope to come back here and share my journey with you."
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?
- Lyn...
- December 22, 2020
For Type 2 Diabetes "I took one dose of Ozempic and I have been sick ever since. Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, and a little dizziness. This is terrible, will never use again. Can someone tell me how long these symptoms last?"
- Chr...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 11, 2021
For Type 2 Diabetes "I suffered from - Loss of appetite - Exhaustion - Nausea - Vomiting (once a week, usually 2 days after my injection) - Low blood sugar events (probably caused because I just had no appetite). When I spoke to my pharmacist, she encouraged me to try to hang in there, telling me it would get better, and it finally has. I was not expecting it to take over 3 months though. My readings are all good, and I've lost 28 lbs, so there were benefits to sticking it out, but it was hard. I had decided that I would continue to take the medication until my next appointment, and if things were still bad, I would tell the doctor that I no longer wanted to use it. Things are better, and my appointment is next week."
- Sks...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 25, 2023
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I never leave reviews and rarely have side effects from medication. However, after one injection on the lowest dose, I am so beyond sick. Two days after my injection, I got a migraine followed by extreme vomiting for 4 days, chills, nausea, and a trip to the ER. This medication made me so unbelievably sick, it is like I've been poisoned. I have missed 4 days of work and am so weak. Living on Pedialyte and numerous nausea medications. Please be so careful. I was so hopeful and had no idea this would happen to me."
- 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."
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?
- 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."
- 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."
- 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)."
- 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."
- Tom...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- April 13, 2023
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started Wegovy in March 2022 with a goal of losing 50-75 pounds. I ended up losing a total of 85 pounds in about 11 months. I felt great upon taking the Wegovy. Only had mild headaches and mild stomach discomfort. I was not tired, I actually felt energized. However, by December, the nausea had reared its ugly head. I took Zofran, and it helped. I was able to stick it out with the nausea until February, at which time I stopped taking it. I could no longer live with the nausea. Since I stopped taking it, I have continued to suffer nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. My doctor and I are still trying to find the source of this continuing issue. I love the weight loss, and I love Wegovy!"
- Fif...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 29, 2021
For Type 2 Diabetes "On week 4 now, honestly, the first 2 weeks were a nightmare. Doctors don’t tell you to stay away from fatty foods and not to overeat. If they did, I wouldn’t have had the most horrible sulfur burps that made my eyes water, projectile vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, not to mention constant nausea even during the night. I finally figured out not to eat too much and to avoid fatty foods completely! This was a game changer, and now I’m doing okay. I've lost 21 pounds so far, which is mad, but mostly because in 2 weeks I’ve eaten probably 4000 calories. I’m back to wanting to eat again but have to control myself or face the terrible consequences. Blood sugars are all over the place, as you can imagine, however, insulin sensitivity is way better. It just takes time to get used to. Hope this helps."
- 188...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 17, 2023
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started Wegovy 3 months ago using the gradual phase-up method. From 0.25 mg dose for 4 weeks to 0.50 mg dose for 4 weeks, then 1.0 mg dose for 4 weeks. During the initial phase, I experienced mild nausea and some stomach irritation. With each increase, the symptoms got worse until finally, at the full 1.0 mg dose, I was so sick I thought I had stomach flu for 2 weeks continuously. The belching was horrible. The nausea caused uncontrollable vomiting, and I had frequent diarrhea. After 3 months, I lost 12 pounds and felt horrible every day. I've now reduced the dose to 0.5 mg but still suffer from nausea and stomach upset. I might cut back again, but I'm thinking I will quit. The way I feel all the time is horrible! I'm thinking I lost weight because of all the vomiting. Not recommended."
- Dan...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 8, 2022
For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I've been on Ozempic for two and a half months now for weight loss, and the results have been great. I've lost about 25 lbs. The only thing I don't really like is I truly do have no appetite. At all. So sometimes eating is a slog. Just getting through 3 or 4 bites of a meal can be annoying. And even though it's been almost 3 months, I still get nausea from time to time. I also had to dial back a lot of my social drinking, as I'm eating so little, there's nothing to absorb the alcohol in my stomach most days, causing indigestion, acid reflux, vomiting, and other problems. Still, I'm going to stick with the medication to see how much weight I can potentially lose over the course of six months."
- Abe...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 15, 2021
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started out with .25 mg. I did that for four weeks and only felt slight nausea after the injection. Today, I bumped up to the .50 mg dose, and within five hours I was nauseous. I finally vomited, and I feel better, but have no appetite now. Nothing sounds good. I’m also sleepy. So far, the weight loss is only about five pounds. If I stay nauseated, it’ll probably increase drastically, but what a dumb way to live! I hope it’s temporary. I could be sick once a week and survive if I get decent weight loss. I am also fairly active, and I exercise 4-5 times a week. I don’t have a thyroid because of cancer nine years ago."
- SSH...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 25, 2020
For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Rybelsus for 2 months. I started on the 3 mg and did fine, no side effects, and actually felt more awake and focused. Then I went to the 7 mg and was very nauseous and vomited almost nightly. It felt like my food never digested. I apparently am pretty sensitive to this medication and since my blood glucose and A1C have been good, I am taking this every other day, which has lessened the nausea and discomfort. I have lost 6 lbs in the past month and that has been great because I needed that. So we will see how this continues, but I feel pretty good."
- MIC...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 5, 2020
For Type 2 Diabetes "A1C was 6.2 with Metformin. Went on Ozempic for 3 months. I had side effects of bad nausea, vomiting, and watery diarrhea. Lost 27 lbs. Couldn't eat 4/7 days. My A1C now 5.6, and it is not worth it for me."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 24, 2023
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Easy to administer, but during the first few weeks, had zero weight loss. Dose was increased. Woke in the middle of the night after the last dose with severe heartburn. Vomited every four hours for two days. Missed a day of work. Not able to keep anything down, including water. Put on anti-nausea medication. Have to sleep in a sitting position and take antacids and prescription meds to control heartburn enough to sleep. Cannot wait for the medication to get out of my system so I can function without vomiting or constant heartburn."
- Che...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- September 7, 2024
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I sat out on a journey to lose weight in January 2023. I am a heart patient, and I was weighing 220 lbs for the first time in my life. I started in the beginning, I had lots of nausea and vomiting as I went through the different doses. It wasn’t until I got to the highest dose that I really saw the change in my body weight. The weight just slid off. I lost a total of 100 lbs. I definitely changed my diet: high protein, grilled veggies, and fruit. I will say it changed my taste buds. Salty things were overwhelming to me while on Wegovy, and so was sugar. I can’t eat cheese at all without getting sick. But I feel better. My heart is doing well, and my lipids are finally in the normal range. This medication helped save my life, and I feel so blessed. Good luck on your new journey, and don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for nausea meds, it helps a lot."
- Chi...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 3, 2021
For Type 2 Diabetes "Diabetic & prescribed Ozempic .25 once weekly for a month & .50 once weekly for the 2nd month. Then increased to 1. 1xwkly thereafter. By the time I hit the first week on .50, I was having daily nausea. I called the provider & was told to start the .50 to see if my body could adjust. By the 2nd dose, I had severe daily nausea culminating in volatile vomiting to the point I was severely limited in maintaining daily activities. I made the decision to stop the medication & notified the doctor that my body could not handle it. By this time, I was experiencing constant belly pain. It hurt to drink water & eat as I would throw it up. This was the worst experience & I was agitated that it will take 5 long weeks to clear my system. I'm thinking it should have stopped sooner."
- adr...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 21, 2025
For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "It’s changed my life. If you can get past the nausea and occasional vomiting, it’s well worth it. Zofran helps. I’ve always lost weight by eating less and not being hungry. I’ve lost 50 pounds since the end of January. I will be continuing it."
- Bec...
- December 28, 2020
For Type 2 Diabetes "I started taking the Ozempic injection a week before Christmas and took my second 0.25 dose on Xmas Eve. I've felt slight nausea since taking it and very little desire to eat. My BS levels have been 95% in range ever since and have managed to reduce my long-acting insulin by 20 units. I have lost 6 lbs so far. I was astounded it came off in the first week. The only time I have had bad stomach pains is when I've eaten something bad, and I get terrible runs 20 mins after eating, but once I've been to the loo, pain stops. I had vomiting once because I think I overate a few days after taking it. I was super bloated, and a few hours later I threw up, then I felt fine again. So I just eat little and often, mostly grazing and picking at fruit. I was worried about taking this because of the comments I've read, and with having IBS, I didn't know if it would be bad for me. But I have no issues taking it, and so far, so good. It's still early days for me, but I would 100% recommend it."
- 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."
See also:
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For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Starting week 9 with the second injection of 1 mg. I have lost 24 pounds in 8 weeks. The side effects happen about 3 - 4 days a week. The first weekend on 0.25 mg was the worst! I really thought I needed my last rites! I have had headaches, nausea, vomiting, and bowel issues but not like the first-week episode. I try to eat light the day of the shot and take it at night because it makes me tired. You have to stay positive and just buy meds that will help with side effects because the side effects will probably always happen a couple of days a week. Try to drink 1/2 gallon of water a day and stay away from red meat, fried food, fast food, (most) dairy and sugar. If you don't, you will feel sick from eating that stuff. Also only eating one cup of food every couple of hours has made a huge difference in the nausea. Stock up on SF ice pops and SF Gatorade. I am so grateful that I got Wegovy with my insurance and when I want to quit, I just remember how many people would love the opportunity."