Does Wegovy Make You Tired?

Tiredness can be a side effect of Wegovy, with fatigue affecting around 6% of people who use this medication. Wegovy suppresses appetite, so a dip in energy levels may be due to reduced food intake. Like the other side effects of Wegovy, fatigue usually goes away after a few weeks of using the medication. However, for people with type 2 diabetes, Wegovy-related tiredness may be a sign of other health problems.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a brand name for semaglutide, a drug originally developed to help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood glucose levels. Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These mimic the actions of a hormone called GLP-1, which is released from the gut in response to food.

GLP-1 has various effects on the body. It stimulates insulin secretion which, in people with type 2 diabetes, can help control blood sugar levels. It also slows gastric emptying (i.e., the rate at which food moves through the stomach) and reduces appetite. As such, Wegovy and other semaglutide-containing drugs have also been approved as weight loss aids for overweight and obese adults.

The weight loss potential of Wegovy is greater than that of any other anti-obesity medication on the current market. It helps people reduce their food and calorie intake by:

• Reducing hunger
• Reducing food cravings
• Reducing cravings for fatty foods
• Promoting better control of eating

People using Wegovy can reduce their body weight by up to 15% in 6 months and, as a result, significantly reduce their risk of weight-related illnesses (like heart disease).

Why Does Wegovy Make You Tired?

Fatigue is listed as a common side effect of Wegovy and affects around 6% of people who use this medication. This may be because the appetite suppression caused by Wegovy leads to a reduction in caloric intake, which can make you feel more tired than usual. Many people also experience gastrointestinal symptoms on Wegovy (such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea), which can further sap your energy levels.

Can Tiredness on Wegovy Be a Sign of Health Problems?

Wegovy lowers blood glucose levels and may cause hypoglycaemia, especially in people with type 2 diabetes who also use insulin. One symptom of hypoglycaemia is feeling tired or weak so, if you have type 2 diabetes, this may be a sign that your blood sugar levels are too low. Other symptoms of hypoglycaemia include:

• Hunger
• Dizziness
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Sweating
• Shaking
• Tingling lips
• Heart palpitations
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Blurred vision
• Confusion

Severe hypoglycaemia can also lead to seizures and unconsciousness.

If you have type 2 diabetes and want to use Wegovy, it’s important to be aware of the risk of hypoglycaemia. If you experience tiredness or any of the other symptoms on this list, seek advice from a medical professional.

Does Tiredness Caused By Wegovy Go Away?

If you don’t have type 2 diabetes, the tiredness caused by Wegovy may simply be a side effect of your reduced calorie intake. If you have gastrointestinal side effects, it may also be a result of dehydration.

Not everyone using semaglutide experiences fatigue at the same level or frequency. Some people feel very tired in the few days following their injection, while others have consistently low energy for weeks or even months after starting the drug. Wegovy fatigue is often exacerbated by dose escalation but, for many people, lessens or even disappears at higher doses (1.7mg or 2.4mg per week). This is because side effects become less severe with time, as the body adjusts to the medication.

Fatigue and other Wegovy side effects often subside as your body gets used to the medication. However, you should speak to your doctor if:

• You are experiencing extreme fatigue that interferes with your normal routine
• Your energy levels don’t improve within a few weeks
• Your tiredness is affecting your mental health

How to Combat Tiredness Caused By Wegovy

Wegovy is recommended as part of a complete weight loss plan that includes a healthy, balanced diet and physical activity. This can increase weight loss with Wegovy, but it can also help to combat tiredness.

Research has found that regular exercise helps reduce fatigue and improves sleep quality, which can give your energy levels a further boost. Conversely, sedentary behaviour can make you feel more tired. Many people find it harder to exercise when they first start taking Wegovy, but light physical activity is better than nothing. Be prepared to take it easy until your body adjusts, but gentle workouts (like yoga, pilates, or walking) can help you feel more energised.

How you fuel your body is also central to combating tiredness. High-fat and high-sugar foods can make you feel more weary, whereas a balanced diet high in whole grains, vegetables, fruit, oily fish, nuts, and seeds may reduce fatigue. Some Wegovy patients also find vitamin B12 supplements very helpful for alleviating fatigue. However, much of this evidence is anecdotal, and you should always consult with your doctor before taking dietary supplements to combat Wegovy side effects.

Vomiting and diarrhoea are common side effects of Wegovy, and these symptoms often lead to dehydration. Dehydration can make you feel more tired than usual, so drinking plenty of water and electrolyte drinks may improve your energy levels.

What Are The Other Side Effects of Wegovy?

Wegovy frequently causes gastrointestinal symptoms that typically last anywhere between a few days and a few weeks. However, they are usually manageable - in one study, only 5.3% of patients quit Wegovy due to intolerable side effects.

The most common side effects of Wegovy are nausea (affecting up to 58% of patients), and diarrhoea (experienced by up to 36% of patients). Other common side effects (seen in more than 1 in 10 people) may include:

• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Tiredness
• Stomach pain
• Stomach upset
• Gas and burping
• Bloating
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Heartburn
• Runny nose
• Sore throat

Want to buy Wegovy online? You can buy Wegovy in the UK from Prescription Doctor.

Authored By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist

Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Published on: 04/09/2024

Reviewed By

Dr Giuseppe Aragona

Doctor

Dr. Giuseppe utilises his extensive experience in general practice to ensure the accuracy and safety of the website's content.

Reviewed on: 04/09/2024