Nausea is a frequent side effect of Ozempic. It can often occur with an increase in your weekly dose. Various home remedies and certain medications can help relieve nausea due to Ozempic.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a brand-name drug prescribed with diet and exercise to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. A doctor may also prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss, though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it for this use. (Off-label use is when a healthcare professional prescribes a drug for a condition it isn’t approved to treat.)
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, for example:
- Adjust the way you eat.
- Try smaller portions.
- Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.
- Eat more slowly.
- Stop eating once you feel satisfied.
- Try 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.
- Choose foods that are a little easier on your stomach. Some 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
- Avoid certain foods that may make your nausea worse. These include foods that are:
- greasy or fried
- spicy
- very sweet
- strong-smelling
- Take frequent, small sips of water if you’re feeling nauseous.
A
Medications
If you’re taking Ozempic and home remedies haven’t helped reduce your nausea, anti-nausea medications may be beneficial.
Examples of over-the-counter (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. Keep reading to learn what’s currently known about nausea duration with this medication.
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 dose 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 your 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 the drug’s manufacturer, 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, over-the-counter medications, and prescription anti-nausea drugs may help relieve nausea from Ozempic.
There is 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 you to a different medication to treat diabetes or help with weight management.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
Article resources