How Long Does Semaglutide Nausea Last?
Nausea is one of the most common side effects with semaglutides and other GLP-1 weight loss medications. So, most people taking or thinking of taking any of the GLP-1 drugs want to know two things:
- How long does the nausea last?
- How do you stop or minimize the nausea?
How Long Does Nausea Last When Taking GLP-1 Drugs
While there is no way to give you a definite answer for how often you may be nauseous or when nausea will end, for most people nausea and other gastrointestinal side effects of GLP-1 drugs are most common when starting on the medication and when the dose is increased. This is true whether your GLP-1 comes in the form of an injection or pill. Symptoms are likely to ease as you get used to taking the medication.
For some people, nausea and other digestive side effects are mild, but for others they can be more moderate and challenging to deal with. Higher doses have been shown to bring more nausea1, but again, this typically eases as the body adjusts to the dose.
Side effects tend to be more common and intense in the first weeks of taking a semaglutide or other GLP-1, but nausea can last for several weeks up to a few months. There are some things you can do to minimize nausea, however, and your doctor is a great source for advice since they know your personal health history. We also have some tips for you.
How to Stop Nausea from GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications
Because semaglutides and other GLP-1 drugs slow down the movement of food as it moves from the stomach into the digestive tract, you may feel nausea quite often as you get used to how these medications work. A slower digestive process means you will likely feel fuller longer, so you may have to experiment a little to find the amount of food you can eat at each meal without feeling too full, which can bring on discomfort and nausea.
A few tips that can help you adjust:
- Eat in smaller portions.
- Eat foods that provide nutrients but are easier to digest (high water content, low fat, low or no sugar).
- Hydrate regularly in sips instead of drinking in large gulps or all at once.
- Don’t lie down or exercise right after eating.
Some people feel sick shortly after injecting the medication. If this happens to you, it’s recommended to wait 30 minutes after injection and then try a ginger-based food or beverage, or some ginger root. Other recommended options to help reduce nausea include eating some crackers, an apple, or mint.2
The best advice is to stay in communication with your doctor. If your nausea seems severe or is interfering with your daily life, they can give you advice to meet your specific needs. Your doctor may prescribe an anti-nausea medication, or they may even try a different GLP-1 medication or a lower dose.
1 Long MD, B, et al. GLP-1 agonists: A review for emergency clinicians. Am J Emerg Med. 2024 Apr;78:89-94. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0735675724000111?via%3Dihub
2 Gorgojo-Martinez JJ, et al. Clinical recommendations to manage gastrointestinal adverse events in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists. J Clin Med. 2022 Dec 24;12(1):145. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9821052/