Our friendship group contains a woman we call our very own Kim Kardashian. She knows about all the latest beauty and weight loss trends when they’re just whispers on the market and is always the first to try them. This bombshell had been talking about Ozempic for years before the shortage. Eventually, she was one of the first in our friend group to try Wegovy, Ozempic’s new sister drug for weight loss that’s based on the same chemical called semaglutide.
She has been on it for some time now, and she raves about the changes in her body. Her main complaints are the semaglutide side effects. In particular, the nausea and heartburn, though she says it is worth it for the results she is having. So, if you have decided to try it, let’s talk about managing semaglutide side effects to help you stay the course and get the results you’re looking for.
How Exactly Does Semaglutide Work?
Semaglutide, the active component in both Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss, has many different effects. It stimulates the production of insulin in the pancreas, which keeps blood sugar levels under control. It suppresses glycogen production in the liver, which releases sugar into the bloodstream. It slows down the passage of food through the stomach so that people feel full for longer after eating, and it acts directly in the brain to suppress hunger. Ozempic was first approved by the FDA in 2017 for adults with type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy was approved in 2022 for people who are either overweight with some additional condition (known as a comorbidity, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or obstructive sleep apnea) or are obese. Both are taken as a weekly self-administered injection.
Semaglutide mimics the natural hormone GLP-1. When the levels of this hormone are increased, it sends signals to the brain that you’re full. It also slows down digestion, allowing people to eat less because they feel satisfied for longer after eating. Using Ozempic for diabetes often results in weight loss as a side effect.
Research shows that while semaglutide is effective for weight loss, it’s crucial to maintain lifestyle changes like healthy eating and exercise. Although Ozempic is not approved for weight loss, a higher dose of semaglutide in the form of Wegovy is. It’s important to be aware that your body might adapt to the medication, which can lead to a weight plateau.
Where do you inject Wegovy?
The ideal sites for injecting semaglutide are the front of the thighs, abdomen, or upper arms. It’s advised to rotate the injection site with each use.
Possible Semaglutide Side Effects
Like any medication, semaglutide can lead to side effects for some people. Common side effects include stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, and feeling sick or throwing up.
Semaglutide might also cause mild side effects, such as changes in taste, burping, dizziness, headaches, gas, fatigue, indigestion, reactions at the injection site, and a slight increase in heart rate. Most of these are temporary and manageable. Serious side effects from semaglutide are rare, but if you are concerned, be sure to have a chat with your doctor.
There might also be semaglutide allergic reactions and hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar. The FDA keeps track of medication side effects, so if you experience any side effects from semaglutide, you can report them to MedWatch.
Semaglutide side effects are mostly short-term and not severe, but some may last longer. Long-term side effects can start anytime while taking the drug, even if you’ve been on it for a while.
How long do Semaglutide side effects last?
Semaglutide side effects should be temporary or manageable. It can take about five weeks for your body to completely clear out the drug after your last dose, so there might still be some side effects during this time.
What is Ozempic face?
“Ozempic face” refers to sagging and aging facial skin that women experienced when they started losing weight too quickly when using Ozempic in the early days. This is usually attributed to rapid weight loss, as it takes time for the skin to “bounce back.”
Is Reflux a Common Semaglutide Side Effect?
In clinical trials, about two percent of patients said they feel heartburn and acid reflux. The data shows that people taking 0.5 mg of semaglutide per week are more likely to experience this. This dosage is only taken in the transition phase while people are being introduced to the full dose, so it is not expected to be a persistent side effect as the body adapts.
Practical Tips for Managing Reflux as a Side Effect
So, how exactly are these side effects caused? Semaglutide slows down the digestive system, which can cause food to build up in the stomach and intestines, leading to irritation and gas. Doctors aren’t completely sure which foods cause reflux symptoms, but some foods are known to be problematic for many people. To manage the symptoms, try cutting out certain foods from the diet.
High-fat foods can cause more stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus because they relax the lower esophageal sphincter and delay stomach emptying. This increases the risk of reflux symptoms, so reducing fat intake can help. Foods high in fat to avoid include deep-fried foods, full-fat dairy, fatty meat, bacon, ice cream, potato chips, and creamy sauces.
Tomatoes and citrus fruits, like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes, are acidic and can worsen reflux. Also, cut back on tomato-based foods such as pizza, chili, tomato sauce, and salsa. Chocolate contains a substance called methylxanthine that relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, increasing reflux. Spicy foods, as well as garlic and onions, often trigger heartburn. While not everyone will react the same way, keeping a food diary can help identify which foods are having a negative effect.
Tips For Managing All Semaglutide Side Effects
Doctors usually start the treatment with a lower dose and increase it gradually. Avoid large, fatty meals and greasy or fried foods when taking this medication. Eating bland foods like rice, crackers, or toast can be helpful, as well as meals with high water content, such as soup. Try to eat more frequent, lighter, and smaller meals at a slow pace. It’s also important to stay hydrated. If you experience nausea, a doctor may suggest taking anti-nausea medication.
Nausea and vomiting may lead to nutrient malabsorption and can affect mood and energy levels. To minimize side effects like nausea, it may be suggested to eat slowly, monitor your diet, or take anti-nausea medication. Typically, side effects are more common at the beginning and gradually decrease over time, but if they persist or are severe, it is important to consult a doctor.
Some people may experience chronic side effects from semaglutide, mainly affecting the gastrointestinal system. According to Dr. Meera Shah, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic, about 10% of patients have to stop taking Ozempic or Wegovy because side effects don’t improve.
When to Seek Medical Advice
All medications carry a risk of unwanted side effects. Look out for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), such as shaking, a fast heartbeat, sweating, feeling nervous, being very hungry, feeling dizzy, or being irritable or confused.
Another reason to see a doctor is if there is a serious anaphylactic reaction. Symptoms include swelling of the throat, tongue, lips, or face, which might come with trouble breathing, a rash, a rapid heartbeat, or dizziness.
In the rare event of symptoms of pancreatitis, such as severe and lasting abdominal pain that might spread into the back, nausea, vomiting, bloating, or fever, it’s important to get checked out.
Improve the Results with These Treatment Tips
Wegovy is a medication that’s meant to help people lose weight, but some might experience what’s called “Ozempic rebound.” This means they could gain back the some of the weight and lose the health benefits after they stop taking the drug. But, if you use your time on Ozempic to also make diet and lifestyle changes, there is every possibility that your weight loss results will stick around.
One study observed two groups of people with obesity after they stopped taking the drug. One group used Ozempic for 68 weeks, while the other group took a placebo for the same time. On average, the Ozempic group lost a clinically significant percentage of their body weight by week 68, while the placebo group lost only a minor amount. However, after stopping, the Ozempic group regained about two-thirds of what they lost. Plus, health improvements like lower blood fats and better glucose levels in the Ozempic group also reversed after the drug was stopped.
To lower the risk of gaining weight back after stopping Ozempic, a 2024 study involving 2,245 people looked at gradually reducing the dosage of the drug instead of stopping abruptly. Those who slowly reduced their dose instead of stopping all at once were able to keep their weight stable. The same study mentioned that when people took a lower dose of Ozempic, healthy lifestyle choices were more important in maintaining weight loss long term. People who manage their weight daily with a sustainable approach might prevent weight regain better than those relying on a higher dose of Ozempic.
Sustainable, Long-Term Weight Loss Tips
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for long-term weight management, but you can adopt a lifestyle that promotes a healthy body weight without extreme diets or constant medication. Start by eating a balanced diet with mostly vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and low-fat dairy. Also, gradually increase your physical activity by finding exercises you actually enjoy.
If you struggle with your relationship with food, it might help to understand what triggers your emotional or stress eating. You can develop coping strategies like finding healthy distractions, keeping a food diary, or choosing healthier alternatives. It’s also important to stay positive about your weight management journey. Even if you don’t always hit your diet or fitness targets, appreciating your progress always goes a long way.