Ozempic Nausea Relief: Tips & Solutions

Ozempic, also called semaglutide, is an injectable medication that lowers blood sugar levels and helps lose weight. It has shown some good results in weight reduction in people living with type 2 diabetes. However, with these positive outcomes, sometimes it also causes some negative gastrointestinal side effects. Nausea is the most common Ozempic side effect. It occurs more often after taking a high dose directly or when the dosage is increased. This feeling lasts for some weeks and slowly decreases as the body adjusts to the medicine. However, you need to know that nausea can re-occur whenever you increase the dose. This does not mean you have to quit the medication. Instead, there are effective ways that can help relieve nausea while taking Ozempic and make you feel better. Our article has listed all those approaches along with what Ozempic is, its side effects, why you feel nauseated on Ozempic, and how long it lasts. So, let’s read about Ozempic nausea relief.

What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic is an FDA-approved treatment for type 2 diabetes in young people. It is delivered to the human body as a weekly injection which lowers the blood sugar levels by helping the pancreas produce more insulin. While regulating blood sugar levels, it also reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in people struggling with diabetes. Though Ozempic is proven to be effective for diabetes, it also shows major effectiveness in weight loss. Hence, over the past few years, this medication has become popular as a weight management solution for some people, making it to be prescribed as an “off-label” drug for maintaining weight along with exercise and a well-balanced diet. How does it work? The active ingredient of Ozempic called semaglutide works as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, meaning it acts similarly to the body’s natural glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that stimulates the release of insulin and makes blood glucose levels stable. Additionally, it slows down the emptying of the gastric, making you feel loaded for a longer time. This, in turn, prevents frequent cravings and when you eat less, you lose weight.

You may also read about Ozempic for Weight Loss – Effective or not?

What Are Ozempic Side Effects?

Like every medication, Ozempic can lead to some side effects. According to a clinical trial, around 5% of people administered Ozempic experience the following common symptoms:

Others reported mild side effects may include:

• Burping
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Flatulence (gas)
• Indigestion or acid reflux
• Fatigue
• Change in taste
• Minor high heart rate
• Injection-site reactions, like discomfort, skin redness, or discoloration

Though the serious side effects of Ozempic are rare, if they occur, consult your doctors. Those side effects are:

• Diabetic retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels in the tissues of the eye)
• Gallbladder diseases
• Kidney problems
• Thyroid cancer
• Pancreatitis (pancreas swelling)
• Allergic reactions
• Hypoglycemia (low levels of blood sugar)

When it comes to Ozempic side effects reviews, many patients feel mild nausea and dizziness for the first two weeks which subsides after that. Some individuals feel nausea along with fatigue and headache which go away within one week and most do not notice any side effects but find a lack of interest in eating food. If the above-mentioned aftereffects of taking Ozempic sound similar to you and last for a longer time, schedule an appointment with doctors to discuss them and find an appropriate solution.

Why Does Ozempic Make You Nauseous?

Ozempic and nausea have a connection as Ozempic is believed to be the common cause of nausea due to its direct impact on the gut. This medication works by imitating the function of the natural glucagon-like peptide-1 ( GLP-1) hormone found in the body. The role of this hormone is to delay the emptying process of food from your stomach. Since the food rests in the stomach for a longer period, it causes the stomach to expand which build-up an extra pressure in the gut. This, as a result, leads to the stretching of nerves near the gut lining. This stimulates those nerves to transmit the signals to the brain that you are full which may trigger certain distressing side effects, among which nausea is the common one while vomiting and some other digestive problems are also experienced. Experts say, nausea mostly occurs with a direct higher dose and when the dose is increased. Luckily, a nauseous-like feeling is a mild side effect that seems to disappear by itself, once the body starts adjusting to the medication.

How Long Does Nausea Last With Ozempic?

For people taking Ozempic, nausea won’t start till 8-12 weeks after the use. Since this medication is injected weekly and is long-lasting, its side effects might take a longer time to become noticeable. Now curious to know how long it lasts. Typically, nausea lasts for some weeks, but this time can differ from one individual to another. Once the body gets used to the strength of Ozempic, you may likely feel a little nauseous even if you get well. This side effect of the medication is mild and subsides on its own. However, on increasing the dose, it can re-appear. So, if this is the case, do not quit taking Ozempic. In certain ways, you can manage Ozempic nausea. Take a look at the below section!

How To Find Ozempic Nausea Relief?

If you are feeling nauseous after having Ozempic, you might be wondering how to find Ozempic nausea relief. Fortunately, there are certain approaches you can take to recover as you wait for this aftereffect to go away.

1. Use a lower dose of Ozempic

Experts say that high Ozempic doses are more likely to cause nausea as a side effect while low doses are less likely to lead to this aftereffect. People struggling with diabetes might need a higher dose to stabilize their blood sugar levels. But, if your blood glucose levels are reacting well to the lower dosage, discuss with your doctors whether it is fine to stay on that particular dose and not increase it. This will help prevent the feeling of nausea that is elevated by taking a higher dose. In addition, inform them about every side effect you might be experiencing while on this medication to the professionals. This is important, especially in case you think the nauseous feeling you are dealing with is unusual.

2. Increase Ozempic doses slowly

If you have to take higher Ozempic doses, increase the doses gradually. The normal Ozempic doses are around 0.25 milligrams one time a week and the highest dosages are 2 milligrams once a week. First, increase the dose each week. Going up slowly with the dose might decrease the risk of nausea and other side effects associated with this medication. Keep in mind, that nausea can reappear upon increasing the dose. So, if you experience unmanageable nausea with the use of a high dose, consult the healthcare providers and ask if you can still take a higher dose until your body gets used to it.

3. Have smaller meals, frequently

As Ozempic makes the food components travel slowly through the digestive system, do not eat in more quantities all at one time. This, in turn, can make you feel full which can trigger nausea. So, it is better to have smaller meals that too more frequent. The best approach is to prepare a plate as you usually do. Then, take a half quantity of the food and put it in a container that you can eat after some time. Eat the food slowly and then wait for around 20 minutes to notice if you feel fuller. If you do not feel full, just eat the left portion of your meal.

4. Avoid foods triggering nausea

Certain foods when having Ozempic can trigger nausea. Understanding what food to avoid can reduce or prevent this side effect of medication from occurring at first. The following are the foods to quit eating when taking Ozempic:

• Greasy, fried, and fatty foods: Foods such as French fries, fried chicken tenders, cheese, hamburgers, and bacon are highly rich in fat that you need to avoid.
• Sugary foods and beverages: Candy, cookies, soda, ice cream, and cupcakes that are rich in sugar.
• Ultra-processed foods: These food types are hot dogs, sweetened breakfast cereals, canned soups, and baked chicken nuggets.
• Refined carbohydrates: Carbohydrates such as bagels, pasta, donuts, white rice, and white bread are the most refined carbs.
• Alcohol: Alcohol-rich beverages like wine, beer, and some mixed drinks can contribute to nausea-like feelings.

5. Try some home remedies

Certain home remedies can benefit in providing relief from nausea. You can try peppermint or ginger as a herbal remedy to treat this side effect. Ginger can be chewed or eaten raw and you can even make ginger tea. Studies say a low dose of ginger which is around 1500 mg is effective for nausea relief. On the other hand, peppermint oil can be applied around the nearby areas of the nose to prevent nauseous feelings. You can purchase some over-the-counter medications such as Dramamine and Pepto-Bismol for quick comfort. Besides this, staying hydrated is important as dehydration can worsen the nausea. Just drink ice-cold water in a small sip to keep the body hydrated.

6. Consult doctors for nausea medications

If you are finding it hard to perform your everyday tasks, seek professional help. Doctors will help with some prescription medications that can be effective for Ozempic nausea relief. Those anti-nausea medications include:

• Zofran: This is the most commonly recommended medication for nausea relief as it does not interact with Ozempic.
• Reglan: Research says Reglan is prescribed to people living with diabetes which helps reduce slow stomach emptying that usually triggers nausea when food sits for a longer time in the stomach. No evidence proves the interaction between Ozempic and Reglan.
• Transderm Scop: This anti-nausea medication which is applied behind the ear is a patch that consists of scopolamine, an active ingredient that relieves nausea triggered by motion sickness. It does not interact with Ozempic.

7. Avoid lying down after eating

Avoid lying down immediately after eating to prevent nausea. If you do so, the food contents on the stomach tend to rise into the food pipe which causes acid reflux and indigestion, leading to a nausea-like feeling. Better to rest in a sitting posture which helps lower the risks of nausea, indigestion, and acid reflux after eating. In general, it takes approximately 2 hours for the food components to travel through the stomach. But, when you are on Ozempic, digestion becomes slower due to which it might take a little more time for proper absorption of food. So, wait for some time to lie down.

Summing Up

Well, nausea is a commonly reported Ozempic side effect. It typically starts from 8-12 weeks after you start taking this medication and subsides itself after a few weeks. However, if the dose of this drug is increased, it can occur again. So, to limit or avoid Ozempic nausea relief, consider some effective approaches that include using lower doses, quitting food high in sugar and fat, having anti-nausea drugs, increasing doses slowly, and trying home remedies. It is important to mention that if the nausea-like feeling stays for a longer time and impacts your daily activities, seek help from a licensed dietitian. Professionals will help reduce nausea and any side effects of Ozempic by suggesting what foods and other things to avoid. Also, they will help customize a well-balanced meal that can meet nutritional needs while on Ozempic treatment.

You can also read: Ozempic Vs Saxenda: Which One is Best For Weight Loss?

Frequently Asked Questions