Key takeaways
- Nausea is a common side effect when taking Ozempic, especially with a dosage increase.
- Simple strategies can help reduce the nausea you might experience with Ozempic. These include eating smaller meals, avoiding certain foods, and taking small sips of water frequently.
- If nausea is severe or doesn’t improve with home remedies, consult a doctor. They can recommend over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications. They can also rule out serious conditions, such as pancreatitis, which occurs in rare cases with Ozempic.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a brand-name drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the following uses:
- to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise
- to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
- to reduce the risk of complications from chronic kidney disease in adults with type 2 diabetes
A doctor may also prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss, though the FDA has not approved it for this use. (Off-label use is when doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)
Nausea is one of the most common side effects of Ozempic. If you’re taking this medication and experiencing nausea, you may be wondering what to do for relief. Keep reading for more information about nausea duration, home remedy tips, and when to contact a healthcare professional.
If you’re feeling queasy from taking Ozempic, you may find relief with home remedies or by taking certain medications.
Home remedies
You can try several home remedies to help ease nausea due to Ozempic, such as:
- Adjusting the way you eat, such as by:
- trying smaller portions
- eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day
- eating more slowly
- stopping eating once you feel satisfied
- Trying not to do strenuous physical activity after eating. But try not to lie down right after eating, either. If you want to get up and do something, fresh air may help with nausea, so consider going for a walk outside.
- Choosing foods that are easier on your stomach. Examples include:
- broth
- dry foods, such as crackers, toast, or pretzels
- plain or starchy foods, such as rice, noodles, or potatoes
- fruit, such as apples, applesauce, or bananas
- cold or chilled foods, like plain yogurt, gelatin, ice cream, or popsicles
- Avoiding certain foods that may make your nausea worse. These include foods that are:
- greasy or fried
- spicy
- very sweet
- strong-smelling
- Taking frequent, small sips of water if you’re feeling nauseous.
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Food suggestions include:
Medications
If you’re taking Ozempic and home remedies haven’t helped reduce your nausea, anti-nausea medications may be beneficial.
Examples of OTC anti-nausea drugs include bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine). Examples of prescription anti-nausea medications include ondansetron (Zofran) or metoclopramide (Reglan).
Talk with your doctor if you need an anti-nausea medication prescription.
Managing nausea can be disruptive and distressing. If you’re experiencing this Ozempic side effect, you may be wondering how long it will last.
During treatment
Having nausea during Ozempic treatment is common. In studies of Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, 20.3% of participants taking a 1-milligram (mg) dose of Ozempic reported feeling nauseous, compared to 6.1% of those given a placebo.
Higher doses are associated with more frequent digestive problems, including nausea. So these side effects are more common during dose increases. This is when your doctor increases your Ozempic dosage. The typical starting dose of Ozempic is 0.25 mg once weekly. Over 4-week intervals, your doctor can gradually increase this to 2 mg once weekly.
According to a
But how long can you expect to have nausea? A
However, most digestive side effects of semaglutide are mild to moderate and go away after dosing increases. For example, the same 2021 review notes that the prevalence of nausea decreased sharply after week 20 of treatment.
After treatment
You may also wonder how long it takes for nausea to go away after stopping Ozempic. This relates to the amount of time the medication is in your system.
The half-life of Ozempic is
It takes about 5 weeks for Ozempic to leave your system completely. During this time, you may still have side effects such as nausea. However, since digestive side effects are more common at higher doses, the reduced level of Ozempic in your body means these side effects may also ease.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It’s a rare side effect of Ozempic reported in the drug’s studies and a
Pancreatitis can be acute (sudden and short-term) and may turn chronic (long-lasting). Nausea and vomiting are potential symptoms of both types of pancreatitis.
Other symptoms of acute pancreatitis to watch for include:
- pain in your upper abdominal area that:
- may spread into your back
- ranges in intensity from mild to severe
- can last for several days
- swelling or tenderness in your stomach area
- fever
- rapid heart rate
In addition to nausea and vomiting, symptoms of chronic pancreatitis include:
- pain in your upper abdominal area that:
- may spread into your back
- eventually becomes constant and severe
- diarrhea
- stool that appears more fatty and foul smelling
- unexplained weight loss
Pancreatitis can lead to potentially serious complications. According to Ozempic’s prescribing information, you should immediately stop taking Ozempic and contact a healthcare professional if you have symptoms of pancreatitis.
Nausea is a common side effect of Ozempic. It’s most common in the first stages of treatment when your doctor gradually increases your weekly dose of the drug. Nausea tends to go away as time passes.
Home remedies, OTC medications, and prescription anti-nausea drugs may help relieve nausea from Ozempic.
There is also a risk of pancreatitis with Ozempic, and nausea and vomiting are symptoms of this condition. While nausea is common with this medication, it’s important to note any other symptoms, as they might indicate pancreatitis.
If you have symptoms of pancreatitis while taking Ozempic, it’s recommended that you stop the drug immediately and contact your doctor.
If you have nausea that’s persistent, severe, or disruptive to your daily life, talk with your doctor. They can suggest nausea relief tips specifically for you. They may also recommend adjusting your weekly dose of Ozempic or switching to a different medication to treat diabetes or help with weight management.
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