Ozempic and Nausea: What Users Say

• dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2020

"Started taking this medication off label for weight loss only. I am not diabetic. Started on Aug 30, 2020. First 2 weeks I had some mild nausea, nothing terrible, and some mild dizziness. The past 2 weeks, I have had no symptoms. I definitely cannot eat what I used to, or you will feel sick. I am doing the weekly injection at 0.25 along with Weight Watchers, and in the past 26 days, I have lost 10.5 lbs :). My sweet tooth cravings are pretty much gone. Really happy so far. I am increasing to 0.50mg next week. I'll keep you all posted!"

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

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!)."

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

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!"

• MzG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started on Ozempic in September 2020, starting weight 312 lbs (5’4”). I am type 2 diabetic and take 2550mg of Metformin daily. HbA1c was 79, sugar cravings, and blood sugar out of control. Started on 0.25 dose for a month. Quite bad stomach cramps and nausea for the first month. Went up to 0.5 dose in month 2, then 1.0 dose for month 3 and since. No. 1 tip - inject into your leg rather than around your belly. Once I changed to injecting in my leg, nausea and cramps disappeared overnight, and never came back. To maximize effectiveness, you can’t eat like you did before. I re-joined Weight Watchers in September. I have lost 80 lbs in 5 months, HbA1c dropped from 79 to 51 which is a normal type 2 level although the doc feels with more weight loss, it could go to normal levels. In Ireland, diabetes is classed as a long-term illness so all medications are covered by the government, so I don’t have to pay for this. Otherwise, it costs €195."

• Mar...
• March 6, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I was prescribed it for prediabetes and weight loss. Today, in one week since my first injection, I lost 6 lbs. In one week, the last diet (one of very many), it took me 3 months to lose 10 lbs by starving myself, which tells you how elevated sugar prevents you from losing weight. I am not diabetic, my A1C is 5.5. I had slight nausea and fatigue the first 2 days, and after that, it’s all gone and I never felt better. I have no cravings. I eat approximately 1000 calories a day, and it’s more than enough. Instead of constant thoughts of food, I do other things that I used to enjoy like exercise, etc. I am worried about coming off Ozempic before I lose all the weight I need. It is a miracle drug for me! I hope it will help you all! If they keep working on meds like this, it will reduce type 2 diabetes and obesity drastically."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 20, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I'm a 54-year-old female whose A1C was 8.3 at the end of March. So, after 4 months on Ozempic, my A1C is now 6.3, and I've lost 34 lbs. Definitely curbs my appetite, and I have been logging my food. My side effects have been minimal - a little nausea in the beginning and constipation. This med has been a game-changer for me. My hope is that many others will have the same results I have."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Ozempic in late December at 0.25 injection. I also take 500mg metformin per day. Soon after I started Ozempic, I had decreased appetite and my sugars improved, but I had reflux, gas, bloating, nausea, and diarrhea. After 4 weeks, I started 0.50. 2 weeks in, I have bouts of painful constipation then diarrhea, nausea, bloating, gas, reflux, and cramping. I've almost vomited a few times. When I eat, it feels like the food just sits and sits, barely moving through my gut. My doctor wants me to stick with it, saying that these side effects usually improve, but it's been pretty miserable. I'm thinking I'm going to stop taking it. While Ozempic has been effective in regulating my sugars and losing weight, I don't think it's worth the suffering that I've been enduring on this medication. I understand that studies showed it causing thyroid cancer in mice, but no one knows if it causes thyroid cancer in humans. I don't want to be the guinea pig the drug makers use to find out it does."

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

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!"

• Sau...
• December 3, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "Been on Ozempic since mid-April 2020. All side effects listed with the worst being chronic diarrhea. Nausea has been significant but has settled to occasionally. Trying to follow a more plant-based diet, I have lost today an official 60 pounds. I find the less meat I eat, the more energy I have, the better my blood sugars are as well. I am 53, so weight loss isn't impossible for us older ladies..."

• 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."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "Did the first 4 weeks of Ozempic at 0.25 had mild stomach issues. Nausea was come and go, really not consistent. Helped control my eating. Doctor said if you overeat or eat like you used to, you will throw up. There is no place for overeating but up. Didn't overeat, didn't have much issue. Took stool softener to keep things moving. At the 0.5 dose, ate less but had fewer side effects than my first dose. Glad I have started the med, it works."

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

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started taking Ozempic in June 2020, initially lost 20 pounds by August. Total of 30 pounds so far, last 10 have been a lot slower. I went from 186 pounds to 156 pounds. A1c went from 6.5 to 5.6. Minimal side effects include occasional nausea and constipation. Started using Miralax, which has helped. Side effects I have experienced are worth the benefits. I consistently wake up with glucose levels in 80-90 range, never out of the green zone on a glucometer. I cannot overeat. If I do, I feel ill or get heartburn, so I have learned my lesson. I am really happy with this medication."

• 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?"

• Ail...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2021

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I went on Ozempic for weight loss after being told by a friend of mine about it - she started at 280 lbs and lost 60+ pounds. My whole life I’ve always been about 130 pounds, and then I rapidly gained 50 pounds within about 2 years. I started taking Ozempic at 182 pounds (I’m 5’4) and 6 months later I am down 25 pounds and continuing to lose. I could not recommend this drug more. It INTENSELY reduced my appetite and obsession over food. Aside from some occasional nausea (maybe once every 2 weeks), and some diarrhea, nothing that I can’t handle, the drug has been pretty great. This is only my experience though!"

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Ozempic for 8 weeks. At first, I had side effects of a lot of nausea. Now, I wake up cold and clammy the last week and very anxious. Overall feeling unwell. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this?"

• 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."

• Lem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "Honestly, I am so impressed so far with these meds. My weight had been creeping up due to insulin resistance (which itself makes it harder to lose weight) and PCOS. My doctor recommended I try this in conjunction with a very low carb and calorie diet. I started with a half dose of 0.25mg once a week injection and then after 2 weeks up to 0.5mg a week. So far in 6 weeks, I’ve lost 15cm from my waist and 9cm off my hips, and 5cm off my bust. I have been eating light and easy, roughly 1000 calories a day. Haven’t weighed myself yet as I’d prefer to see the difference in cm. This medication makes me feel a little nauseous the first day or two after my shot, but after that, I never feel hungry. I can quite easily eat a super small portion and feel full! I drink about 2L of water a day and do about 8000 steps at my job. It really has been great and so much cheaper than Saxenda, which was another one I was considering. Hopefully, I continue to lose weight!"

• Ama...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 16, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "Listen to me, Ozempic will change your life, but you cannot eat synthetic sugar at all. I had severe Hashimoto's, PCOS, insulin resistance, and severe diabetes symptoms. HbA1c was high, all cholesterols were high despite the healthiest of diets. My numbers cleared from severe to perfect in 1 month! I had full-body swelling, severely cracked ankles, swollen feet, neck, legs, major hair loss... a nightmare. I began taking Ozempic. I was very sick. It made me extremely nauseous. I got severe diarrhea, but let me tell you, I lost 17 pounds of water weight in one month. My doctor couldn’t believe it. In four months, I lost 40 lbs. The nausea was mild to severe the entire time, but the results were borderline insane. It reset my metabolism, took all of the inflammation away from my joints, neck, back, my feet completely healed within one month. It’s barely believable. I spent two months on 0.25 and increased to 0.5 once a week for ten more months. High praise!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2023

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Horrible experience. I only took 2 dosages because I had difficulty functioning with headaches, eye pain, nausea, dizziness, and overall feeling awful. The additional issue is I've been off the drug for a week and can't get rid of the symptoms. I'm nauseous every day, with headaches, and dizziness. How long until all of this goes away?"

• Ski...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "My husband began taking Ozempic for his Type 2 diabetes several months ago and experienced minimal unpleasant side effects. His food consumption is down approximately 2/3 (no more 'first breakfast and second breakfast' and 'first dinner and second dinner') and he has been able to reduce his diabetes medications. He has been steadily losing excess weight. A bonus is the chronic loose stools he used to suffer have been eliminated. I started taking Ozempic for my Type 2 diabetes 6 weeks ago. My food consumption is down significantly and I've been able to discontinue all other diabetes medications. I've had some slight nausea and a mild bit of constipation, both of which have been easily alleviated through dietary changes (much smaller meals, more fiber and more spicy food). We absolutely love this medication."

• Mid...
• August 21, 2020

For Type 2 Diabetes "My health wasn't good, so I fired the nurse practitioner I was seeing and got an internist doctor. Found out my thyroid was almost non-functional, high blood pressure, and my pre-diabetes rate was on a serious climb. 1 year later, I was at the right dose of Synthroid. Doctor put me on metformin and phentermine, and added Ozempic 2 weeks later at 0.25. That was a rough ride, I was nauseated and dizzy a lot! I started at 265 lbs, and every day I would see a pound or 2 come off. As of this morning, I weighed in at 239, and I'm up to 1 mg dose of Ozempic weekly. I take the anti-nausea now just before my Ozempic dose, and that's it. I use doTERRA ginger. A1C down to 5! I'm glad I listened to my doctor and my pharmacist and stuck with it. Anything worth having doesn't usually come easy! I would like to get down to the 160-170 range, I'm 5'11'', and thinner than that, I start to look like Olive Oyl! OH Popeye!"

• Nw2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started April 1, 2021, on Ozempic low dose. 3-week intervals it was increased. Side effects were constipation (went on laxatives to help), pain in my back (severe), bloating. Week 11 increased to 1mg, the side effects were major bloating, diarrhea, sounds in my stomach (crazy), nauseous, feeling under the weather. My appetite has decreased to the point that I only eat 2 meals a day that are small. My sugar levels have decreased from 7.1 to 5.2 A1C. I’ve noticed that I have been kept awake some nights like I’m nervous for some reason. In the first 3 weeks, I’ve lost 15 pounds. Haven’t checked since I want to wait but can feel a difference. The pains in the stomach are really uncomfortable, and the bloating I will try gas-x for relief. When I try to eat more than I should, my body tells me that I’m full. If I go beyond that point, I get severe pains in the stomach for hours. But depends on what I eat. Going to stay with smaller portions/healthier foods."

• 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."

• Tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2022

For Cardiovascular Risk Reduction "I was so afraid to try this med because of all the bad reviews. I could not survive endless nausea or stomach issues. I just came here to say that I had none of these issues, and it is helping with cravings."

• 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."