How long does Ozempic nausea last?

Nausea typically peaks in the first 2-4 weeks at each new dose and improves as your body adjusts. Most people find it manageable by weeks 4-8 at their maintenance dose. If severe nausea persists beyond 6-8 weeks at a stable dose, discuss with your prescriber.

Can you drink alcohol on Ozempic?

There's no absolute contraindication, but alcohol tolerance often decreases on GLP-1 medications. Alcohol can worsen nausea, increase hypoglycemia risk (if diabetic), and adds empty calories that undermine weight loss. Many users find they naturally drink less. If you drink, start slowly and see how your body responds.

Does Ozempic cause stomach paralysis (gastroparesis)?

GLP-1 medications slow gastric emptying, which is part of their mechanism. Rarely, this can become excessive, causing gastroparesis-like symptoms (severe nausea, vomiting, early satiety). This is different from permanent gastroparesis and typically resolves after dose reduction or discontinuation. Report severe, persistent symptoms.

Will Ozempic side effects get worse at higher doses?

GI side effects tend to recur briefly with each dose increase but are generally manageable with the strategies described above. The worst side effects typically occur during the 0.25 to 0.5mg transition. Many people find later dose increases less symptomatic because their body has partially adapted.

Ozempic Side Effects: A Complete Guide to Managing Nausea, Constipation, and More

Ozempic (semaglutide) side effects are overwhelmingly gastrointestinal — nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort — because the medication works partly by slowing how fast food moves through your stomach. About 40% of users experience nausea during titration, making it the most reported side effect. But here's the critical context: most side effects peak during dose increases and substantially diminish within 4-8 weeks at a stable dose. Only about 5-7% of clinical trial participants discontinued due to GI intolerance.

Nausea: The Big One

Nausea from Ozempic peaks in the 24-72 hours after injection and is worst during each dose increase. It ranges from mild queasiness to genuine misery. The mechanism: slower gastric emptying means food sits longer, and your brain's nausea centers respond to the GLP-1 receptor stimulation directly.

What helps: Eat smaller portions (half your usual plate). Avoid greasy, fried, or very rich foods — these are hardest to empty from a slowed stomach. Stay hydrated. Eat slowly. Stop eating at the first sign of fullness — pushing past that point reliably triggers nausea. Ginger tea or ginger chews provide modest relief. Some prescribers use ondansetron (Zofran) for severe nausea during titration.

Constipation

Affects about 20% of users. Slowed GI motility means slowed everything. Fiber supplementation (psyllium husk, MiraLAX), adequate water (64+ oz daily), and regular physical activity are the first-line remedies. Magnesium citrate works well for many — and most people don't get enough magnesium anyway. Don't ignore persistent constipation; it can lead to hemorrhoids, fissures, or impaction.

Sulfur Burps and Gas

The infamous "Ozempic burps" — sulfur-scented belching caused by food fermenting in a slowly emptying stomach. Reducing high-sulfur foods (eggs, cruciferous vegetables, red meat), eating smaller meals, avoiding carbonated drinks, and simethicone (Gas-X) can help. Some people find this side effect resolves as their body adapts; for others, it persists.

Fatigue

Often related to significantly reduced caloric intake rather than the medication itself. When you go from eating 2,500 calories to 1,200 without planning, your energy drops. The fix: ensure adequate caloric intake (don't go below 1,200 for women or 1,500 for men without medical supervision), prioritize protein and complex carbs, and maintain regular meal timing even when appetite is low.

Hair Loss

Telogen effluvium — temporary hair shedding triggered by rapid weight loss, caloric restriction, or nutritional deficiency. It's not specific to Ozempic but to the weight loss itself. Usually appears 3-6 months after significant weight loss and resolves within 6-12 months. Adequate protein, iron, zinc, and biotin intake may minimize severity.

Injection Site Reactions

Mild redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site affects a small percentage of users. Rotating injection sites and ensuring the medication is at room temperature before injecting helps. If you develop a lump that doesn't resolve, discuss with your prescriber.

Serious Side Effects: When to Seek Help

Pancreatitis: Severe, persistent abdominal pain (often radiating to the back) with nausea/vomiting. Rare (<1%) but requires emergency evaluation. Stop the medication and call your doctor immediately.

Gallbladder problems: Right upper abdominal pain, especially after eating. Rapid weight loss increases gallstone risk. Report promptly.

Severe allergic reaction: Rash, swelling of face/tongue, difficulty breathing. Extremely rare. Seek emergency care.

Kidney injury: Severe or prolonged vomiting/diarrhea can cause dehydration leading to acute kidney injury. If you can't keep fluids down for 24+ hours, seek medical attention.

Adjusting Your Approach

If side effects are intolerable at any dose, your prescriber can: slow the titration (stay at the current dose longer before increasing), drop back to the previous dose, or switch to a different GLP-1 medication (some people tolerate tirzepatide better than semaglutide, or vice versa). The goal is finding the effective dose you can actually tolerate long-term.