How Long Does Nausea Last With Wegvoy?

Wegovy (Semaglutide) is a medication approved for long-term weight management in obese adults or overweight people with at least one weight-related condition, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol levels. It decreases hunger and increases a sense of satiety, reducing overall food intake and weight. However, it is not primarily used for type 2 diabetes management.

However, Wegovy can cause many side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Nausea is the most commonly reported side effect of Wegovy. In some cases, Wegovy-induced nausea can be too severe to tolerate any food in the body.

This article will discuss Wegovy-associated nausea and, most importantly, how long it lasts.

Common Side Effects of Wegovy

Common side effects associated with Wegovy include the following:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain, indigestion, and bloating
• Constipation
• Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar) in diabetics
• Fatigue and dizziness

Though these side effects are quite common, they are usually mild in intensity and go away over time.

How long does Wegovy-induced nausea last?

Although stomach symptoms like nausea and indigestion may take a few days to a few weeks, the exact answer to this question is not straightforward. Why? Because the estimated time depends on several factors, such as the following:

• Dose of Wegovy: The timespan of nausea after taking Wegovy depends upon the dose taken. As a general rule, the higher the dose, the higher the incidence of Wegovy-induced nausea. For example, the nausea after injecting 2.4mg of Wegovy would last longer than after injecting 0.25 mg of Wegovy.
• Excretion Time of Wegovy: The timespan of side effects (including vomiting) after taking Wegovy depends on how long it stays in the body. Generally, it takes about several weeks for Wegovy to be excreted from the body. The longer it stays in the body, the longer will be the duration of its side effects. However, if someone has liver or kidney issues, the excretion time may be prolonged, increasing the nausea.
• Timing of taking Wegovy: Taking Wegovy on an empty stomach can also exaggerate the stomach-related side effects, including nausea and vomiting. It happens because Semaglutide can induce hypoglycemia, which can present with dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
• Tolerance to Wegovy: It usually takes weeks for the body to develop some tolerance to Wegovy. After the tolerance develops, you will experience a reduced form of nausea. That’s why Wegovy-associated nausea usually goes away after four to five weeks.

How common is nausea with Wegovy?

Clinical trials have revealed that nausea can occur in 44% of individuals taking Wegovy. However, the prevalence may vary according to the dose and brand.

Why does nausea occur with Wegovy?

When you inject Wegovy (Semaglutide), it is absorbed into the blood. Wegovy then acts on different parts of the gastrointestinal tract, slowing down the movement of food through it. Slowed food movement through the stomach and intestine can result in nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

Effect of Semaglutide on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy

Wegovy should not be used if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or breastfeeding. It is recommended to stop using Wegovy two months before planning to become pregnant.

A recent case study has revealed that Semaglutide can exaggerate nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP). Semaglutide-associated NVP can also lead to a life-threatening condition known as “Hyperemesis Gravidarum”, characterised by excessive and intractable vomiting, volume depletion, and weight loss.

What can you do to manage Wegovy-induced nausea?

The following recommendations can help manage nausea induced by Wegovy:

• Avoid eating a fatty or heavy meal after injecting Wegovy if you feel nauseous.
• Add low-fiber foods like mashed potatoes, yoghurt, or toast to your daily diet routine.
• Do not increase the dose till the nausea resolves or discuss it with your healthcare provider.
• Avoid alcohol while using Semaglutide because alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, intensifying the stomach-related side effects of Wegovy.
• If you have a pre-existing medical condition, consult your health professional before using it.

However, if the nausea doesn’t get better over 4-5 weeks, gets worse, or you struggle to eat due to nausea, you should consult with your health professional promptly.

Conclusion

Wegovy (Semaglutide) is a prescription medicine for diabetes mellitus and weight loss in adults. Unfortunately, it can cause many side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and low blood sugar levels.

Nausea is the most common side effect of Wegovy, affecting about 44% of individuals. Wegovy-induced nausea may last from a few days to a few weeks, depending upon the medication dose, excretion, and time taken by the body to develop some tolerance against it.

Furthermore, it is better to avoid alcohol, fatty meals, and increased doses if you experience nausea with Wegovy. Lastly, you should consult your health professional if Wegovy-associated nausea gets severe or doesn’t improve after four to five weeks of the first dose.

Authored & Reviewed 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: 28/06/2024 Reviewed on: 28/06/2024