10 EXPERT-APPROVED TIPS TO AVOID NAUSEA ON OZEMPIC AND GLP-1 MEDICATIONS

Millions of Americans have tried GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy, polls show, but pharmacy claims data show that many people stop taking them within less than one year. There are various reasons for this, including the high cost and limited access to the drugs, but side effects — particularly nausea — may cause some people to give up on their medications before they reach their weight loss goals or improve their Type 2 diabetes.

Medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro work by mimicking naturally occurring hormones in the body, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is secreted in the gut when you eat and leads to reduced feelings of hunger. It also slows down the rate that food moves out of the stomach and into the small intestine.

The medications are a revolutionary treatment for Type 2 diabetes and obesity, experts say, but like most drugs, they come with side effects, with nausea being one of the most common reported for people taking Ozempic.

The maker of Ozempic, Novo Nordisk, lists nausea as one of its most common side effects, along with vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and constipation.

"With any medicine, it’s very important to talk to your health care professional about side effects. Talk to yours about any side effect that bothers you or doesn’t go away," Novo Nordisk advises.

Mounjaro's manufacturer, Lilly, also lists similar side effects —including decreased appetite and indigestion — and management tips.

"In studies, most nausea, vomiting and diarrhea events occurred while the dose of Mounjaro was being increased. These events decreased over time," the Lilly website states. "Talk to your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away."

Here's what experts say about how to avoid nausea while taking Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications, and what to do if you get queasy.

Why do I feel sick on Ozempic?

Many patients will feel some side effects as they adjust to the drug or to a new dosage. “The GLP-1 medications work primarily in the brain,” obesity medicine physician-scientist Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford tells TODAY.com. “Whenever you’re activating something in the brain, we can expect that the brain and the GI tract may respond with nausea.”

GLP-1 medications also work in the gut by slowing down the digestion process, so food is in the stomach for a longer period of time. For some, this may cause discomfort and nausea, especially if they’re eating foods recommended to avoid on Ozempic, — namely high-fat, high-sugar and spicy foods, Michelle Cardel, Ph.D, registered dietitian and chief nutrition officer at WeightWatchers tells TODAY.com. (WeightWatchers offers semaglutide prescriptions online.)

Certain people may also be more prone to nausea while taking a weight-loss drug.

"I have a patient who says she has a level of nausea even when she’s not on medication, so a patient like that will have a much more intensified level of nausea," Stanford explains. People who are less prone to nausea may have fewer side effects, but it’s no guarantee, she adds.

How do you calm the side effects of Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs?

After working with many patients on GLP-1 medications, Stanford and Cardel gave their 10 best tips for avoiding nausea.

Work with a specialist

“It’s important for people to work with a doctor who really understands these medications,” Stanford says. Sometimes you need to start with a lower dose and titrate up in a way that fits the patient.

“Talk to your health care provider about your side effects,” Cardel agrees. “That will inform your dosage.”

Increase the dose slowly

“I don’t speed my patients through — I go at a pace that works for them. We can keep them at a low dose for several months or until their body is ready,” Stanford says.

Eat smaller, more frequent meals

“Large meals can worsen nausea,” Cardel says. Make your portions smaller and consume calories that contain a lot of nutrition.

“The focus should be on lean protein, healthy fruits and vegetables, adequate fiber and adequate fluid intake," Dr. Christopher McGowan, an obesity medicine physician and founder of True You Weight Loss in Cary, North Carolina, previously told TODAY.com.

Eat slowly

Don’t scarf down your food. Instead, eat at a slow pace and chew your food completely. “When we eat fast, we also tend to eat more. Eating quickly can make the nausea worse,” Cardel says.

Avoid high-fat and spicy food

These foods can worsen nausea. If you’re struggling with side effects, try to eat food that is bland. “It’s not going to trigger nausea as much,” Stanford says.

Avoid high-sugar foods and drinks

Sugary treats “can really up the ante on the risk for nausea,” Cardel says. Novo Nordisk suggests avoiding fried, greasy or sweet foods if you're struggling with nausea while taking Ozempic.

Sip water

Sometimes people taking GLP-1 medications don’t feel thirsty and forget to drink water. “The medications affect not only hunger drive, but also thirst drive, so you have to hydrate. It’s really important,” Stanford says. “Not sipping water can make you nauseated.” Also don’t gulp too much water at once, as that can also make the nausea worse, Cardel says.

Have ginger and mint on hand

Try ginger or peppermint teas or lozenges. “Ginger and peppermint have natural properties that ease nausea,” Cardel says.

Time your dose

Patients are likely to feel the worst nausea in the first 24-48 hours after the weekly injection, Stanford says. You can plan around this by taking your dose on a weekend when you have more time to rest and recover.

Take anti-nausea medication

If none of these other options work, talk to your doctor about trying an over-the-counter anti-nausea medication. “Some people find relief with acupressure or anti-nausea wristbands as well,” Cardel says.

Does where you inject the medication matter?

Anecdotally, people report that they feel less nausea when they inject GLP-1 medications into the thigh as opposed to the stomach, Cardel says, but there is no evidence to support this.

GLP-1 medications are to be injected into fatty tissue like the upper thigh, arm or stomach, where there's typically an adequate fat layer. "This ensures that the medications are absorbed slowly and effectively into your bloodstream," Cardel says. "Injecting into the muscle could lead to faster absorption, which could cause more side effects."

How long does nausea last on Ozempic and GLP-1 medications?

“Generally, nausea should improve after a few weeks — once your body has had a chance to adjust to the medication or the higher dose,” Cardel says.

If your nausea continues to be persistent or severe, talk to your health care provider. “It’s so patient-specific, and your health care provider will want to go with the minimum effective dose, so it’s so important to stay in communication with your provider.”

This article was originally published on TODAY.com

2025-03-17T16:53:57Z