From the FDA Drug Label
The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with OZEMPIC are: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and constipation (6.1).
Nausea and vomiting are common adverse reactions caused by Ozempic, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with the medication 1.
- Nausea and vomiting are listed as common adverse reactions.
- These adverse reactions are directly associated with the use of Ozempic.
From the Research
To manage nausea and vomiting caused by Ozempic (semaglutide), start with simple strategies like eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding fatty or spicy foods, and consider taking Ozempic at bedtime to sleep through initial symptoms. For persistent nausea, over-the-counter options include ginger supplements (250mg four times daily) or antihistamines like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, 50mg every 4-6 hours as needed) 2. If these don't provide relief, contact your healthcare provider who may prescribe medications such as ondansetron (Zofran, 4-8mg every 8 hours as needed), metoclopramide (Reglan, 10mg before meals), or prochlorperazine (Compazine, 5-10mg every 6-8 hours) 3, 4, 5, 6. Some key points to consider when managing nausea and vomiting caused by Ozempic include:
- Gastrointestinal side effects typically improve within 4-8 weeks as your body adjusts to the medication 2
- If symptoms are severe or persistent, your provider might recommend temporarily reducing your Ozempic dose before gradually increasing it again to improve tolerance
- The safety profile of semaglutide is similar to that of other GLP-1RAs, with mostly mild-to-moderate and transient gastrointestinal disturbances, and an increased risk of biliary disease (cholelithiasis) 2
- No unexpected safety issues have arisen to date, and semaglutide has an overall favorable risk/benefit profile for patients with type 2 diabetes 2