Let’s face it, nausea is a real buzzkill, especially when you’re on a medication like Ozempic or Mounjaro. It’s like your body’s way of saying, “Hey, I noticed you’re trying to help me, but I’m going to make it a bit challenging for you.”

But here’s the scoop: while nausea might be a common side effect of these medications, there are plenty of strategies to show it the door—or at least make it less of a nuisance.

In this article, we scoured the scientific literature to bring you evidence-based insights on the causes of nausea and how you can manage it better.

How common is nausea among Ozempic users?

Nausea is by far the most common side effect for people taking Ozempic, Mounjaro and similar Semaglutides. According to some of the largest clinical studies, up to 44% (almost 1 in 2) patients on Semaglutides experience Nausea, and 25% experience vomiting during their course of treatment. This evidence has been replicated by multiple clinical studies (1), (2).

Despite these staggering numbers, there is some good news – Nausea appears to be worse in the first 6 months of therapy and gradually subsides.

But, there’s a bad news too… nausea never really disappears while the patients are on Semaglutides. Some of the largest long-term clinical trials that followed patients over 2 years period and were published in the journal Nature Medicine report that ~10% of patients continue to have nausea even up to 2 years (3).

But the promise of things getting better with time is not enough if you are actively suffering from nausea cause by Ozempic use.

So, let’s dig deeper to understand the causes of Nausea and how you might be able to handle it better.

Why Does Ozempic Often Lead to Nausea?

The reason behind this notorious byproduct of Ozempic use has to do with how Ozempic works to reduce weight in the first place (4).

How Ozempic Works and Leads to Nausea:

Ozempic and similar drugs work by mimicking a natural hormone in your body that helps control blood sugar levels after eating. By mimicking his hormone, Ozempic tells your stomach to take its time emptying the food into your intestines. While this slow march helps in lowering blood sugar spikes, it can make you feel queasy or nauseous.

The effect of Ozempic on your stomach is a bit like having a traffic light in your digestive system, telling the food to halt and proceed slowly. This method is excellent for managing diabetes and facilitate weight loss, but can lead to an upset stomach, experienced as nausea

The Role of Dosage in Nausea:

The likelihood and severity of experiencing nausea with Ozempic can depend on the dose you’re taking. Higher doses are more effective for blood sugar control and weight loss but also increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea.
Your doctor will likely start you on a lower dose of Ozempic and gradually increase it. This approach helps your body adjust to the medication, potentially reducing the risk of nausea. It’s a bit like slowly turning up the volume on a loudspeaker; it gives you time to get used to the noise level.

How can you manage nausea while taking Ozempic?

While nausea may be inevitable for almost half of the patients taking Ozempic or Mounjaro, there are ways to help you manage it better. These include proper administration of the drugs, improving your dietary habits and overall lifestyle.

Proper administration of Oral Ozempic and Semaglutides:

According to recommendations from American Journal of Health-Systems Pharmacy (4) proper administration of Oral Semaglutides can minimize the likelihood of nausea. These include:

Optimal Dosing Conditions: Experts recommend that oral Semaglutides hould be taken on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning, with no more than 120 mL (4 ounces) of plain water. This precise method is crucial because the presence of food or excessive liquid can hinder the medication’s absorption, potentially leading to or exacerbating nausea.
Waiting Period After Dosing: Experts advise patients to wait at least 30 minutes after taking oral Semaglutide before consuming any food, other drinks, or medications. This waiting period allows the medication to be properly absorbed in the stomach, where its key site of action is, thereby potentially reducing the likelihood of gastrointestinal adverse effects, including nausea

Dietary management:

Experts advise that how frequently you consume food, the type of food you consume, and extent of your fullness after meal can all be related to nausea.

According to studies published by experts in the American Journal of Health Systems Pharmacy and Postgraduate Medicine journals, the following dietary changes can help reduce nausea for patients taking Ozempic (4).

· Eat small and frequent meals

Smaller meal sizes are recommended to avoid gastrointestinal adverse events like nausea. Eating less than usual but more frequently can help manage the increased sensation of satiety and fullness that oral Semaglutide causes due to its mechanism of action. This strategy aligns with the medication’s effect of slowing gastric emptying, which can make patients feel fuller quicker than they might expect.

· Avoid lying down after eating or eating close to bedtime

Gravity plays a key role in digestion by keeping the stomach’s contents properly contained. Staying upright for a while aids in digestion and prevents the stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus(5).

· Avoid high-fat and hard to digest foods

Patients are advised against consuming greasy foods or foods that are difficult to digest, as these can exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea. Instead, opting for lighter, easily digestible foods during the initial treatment phase can help minimize discomfort and improve tolerance to the medication.

· Eat foods that help ease nausea

Ginger:

Natural nausea suppressant, ginger has been used for centuries to combat stomach upset. Clinical research also proved its positive impact on managing nausea (6).
It contains compounds like gingerol, which help in promoting the flow of saliva, bile, and gastric juices, aiding in digestion and reducing the likelihood of nausea.
Ways to incorporate: ginger tea, ginger chews, or adding fresh ginger to smoothies.

Peppermint:

The soothing properties of peppermint can relax stomach muscles and improve the flow of bile, making it easier for your stomach to digest (7).
Peppermint tea is a gentle, hydrating way to introduce these benefits, especially helpful if nausea is accompanied by vomiting.
Additionally, peppermint oil capsules are another option, but it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

Crackers or Toast:

Simple, bland foods like crackers or toast are gentle on the stomach, making them ideal for staving off nausea (8).
They help absorb stomach acids and are easy to digest, providing a soothing effect without overwhelming the digestive system.
Opt for whole grain options when possible, as they provide added fiber which can aid digestion.

Cold Foods:

Cold or room temperature foods tend to have less aroma, which can be beneficial if smells trigger your nausea.
Foods like yogurt, cold fruit, or even a simple salad can be more appealing and less likely to provoke nausea.

Broth-Based Soups:

Hydrating and warm, broth-based soups are comforting and can be soothing to an upset stomach.
They’re also a way to introduce nutrients gently without overwhelming the stomach with heavy, greasy, or complex foods.

Bananas:

Easy to digest, bananas can help replenish potassium and other electrolytes that might be lost if nausea leads to vomiting.
Their natural sweetness can also provide a quick energy boost without causing a spike in blood sugar levels.

Stay hydrated

Staying adequately hydrated is essential, especially if nausea has led to vomiting. Dehydration can worsen the feeling of nausea.

Small sips of water, clear fluids, or electrolyte-rich drinks can be beneficial. Avoiding caffeine and overly sweet drinks is advisable as they can exacerbate nausea (9).

Be aware of when you are full

Oral Semaglutide increases feelings of fullness, which can lead to a reduced appetite. Patients should be counseled to pay attention to their hunger cues and stop eating when they feel full. Overeating can lead to nausea and vomiting, so understanding and responding to new satiety signals is key .

Practice mindful Eating and stop eating when you feel full

The practice of mindful eating can help you become more aware of when you start getting full and prevent stuffing your stomach with more food that your body does not want (4).

To practice mindful eating, consider the following recommendations from Nutrition experts (10):

Listen to Your Hunger: Before engaged in eating, ask yourself if you’re truly hungry. This helps differentiate between physical hunger and eating out of boredom or emotion. Eating in response to genuine hunger cues supports weight management by preventing overeating
Focus on Your Food: By removing distractions, you’ll likely eat slower and recognize when you’re full sooner. This practice helps in reducing portion sizes and encourages more thoughtful food choices, contributing to better weight control.
Savor Your Food: Engage all your senses while eating. Appreciating the appearance, smell, and taste of your food can enhance meal satisfaction and help you notice satiety cues, reducing the likelihood of overeating.
Mindful Meditation: Regular mindfulness or meditation practice strengthens your ability to focus and resist impulsive eating habits. It fosters a more mindful approach to eating, aiding in the reduction of binge and emotional eating behaviors.

Keep a diet journal

A diet journal is a daily record of the food that you ate throughout the day, at what time you ate, and what the portion sizes were. Keeping a detailed account of your diet has several benefits that can help you manage nausea better.

helps you identify trigger foods that exacerbate nausea. By meticulously recording what you etand when, you can identify patterns and specific dietary changes that make your nausea worse.
helps you gain insights on a better meal schedule and sizes to manage nausea better by keeping track of meal sizes
helps your healthcare provider deliver more personalized recommendations, based on concrete data on your dietary habits and how it correlates with nausea

Conclusion

Tackling nausea while on Ozempic or Mounjaro may at times feel like a daunting task. Yet, it’s not insurmountable. With a few adjustments and the right mindset, managing this side effect becomes a more achievable goal. It’s essential to remember that individual responses vary greatly, and what works for one might not suit another. Keeping in touch with your healthcare provider for personalized advice is key. If nausea becomes more than a minor inconvenience, you would need to seek further medical advice.

General Key Takeaways:

Adjust Lifestyle Habits: Simple changes in diet and medication timing can make a significant difference.
Hydration is Key: Regular, small amounts of fluids can help mitigate nausea and prevent dehydration.
Mindfulness Matters: Being aware of your body’s signals, especially regarding fullness and hunger, can prevent exacerbating nausea.
Professional Guidance is critical: Your healthcare provider is an invaluable resource for managing side effects and adjusting treatment plans. You must seek professional medical evaluation, particularly for persistent or severe nausea warrants professional medical evaluation.

Managing Nausea from Ozempic: Tips and Insights for Better Health

In this article:

How common is nausea among Ozempic users?

Why Does Ozempic Often Lead to Nausea?

How Ozempic Works and Leads to Nausea:

The Role of Dosage in Nausea:

How can you manage nausea while taking Ozempic?

Proper administration of Oral Ozempic and Semaglutides:

Dietary management

Eat small and frequent meals

Avoid lying down after eating or eating close to bedtime

Avoid high-fat and hard to digest foods

Eat foods that help ease nausea

Stay hydrated

Be aware of when you are full

Practice mindful Eating and stop eating when you feel full

Keep a diet journal

Conclusion

How common is nausea among Ozempic users?

Why Does Ozempic Often Lead to Nausea?

How Ozempic Works and Leads to Nausea:

The Role of Dosage in Nausea:

How can you manage nausea while taking Ozempic?

Proper administration of Oral Ozempic and Semaglutides:

Dietary management:

· Eat small and frequent meals

· Avoid lying down after eating or eating close to bedtime

· Avoid high-fat and hard to digest foods

· Eat foods that help ease nausea

Stay hydrated

Be aware of when you are full

Practice mindful Eating and stop eating when you feel full

Keep a diet journal

Conclusion

References