How Long Do Semaglutide Side Effects Last

Key Takeaways

• Short-term semaglutide side effects can usually be felt in the first and second month of initial treatment. However, patients have described that side effects begin to dissolve around month 2 of their treatment plan.

• Long-term side effects of semaglutide can be quite serious, which include gallbladder issues, kidney damage, pancreatitis, increased risk of thyroid cancer, diabetic retinopathy, and more.

• Common short-term side effects include fatigue, constipation, headaches, gastroparesis, and increased heart rate.

Semaglutide Side Effects Length

Short term side effects of semaglutide are fairly easy to identify. They usually include the following:

• Fatigue: A feeling of being tired and worn down.

• Constipation: Difficulty with passing bowel movements.

• Headaches: Increased chances of having headaches.

• Gastroparesis: Feeling of being bloated and having issues with gas.

All of these are fairly common as you begin your schedule with Wegovy, Ozempic, or another brand name that uses semaglutide.

Short-term side effects usually begin to go away around month two of the initial dosage schedule. Your primary care physician will usually start you on smaller milligram injections until your body completely adjusts.

Your primary care provider may give you some guidance on when to start taking your injections to decrease your chances of these side effects occurring.

Reducing Short-Term Side Effects

Some patients describe the side effects of semaglutide being felt any time that they perform their injections. As a result of these variables that exist on a patient-by-patient basis, your primary care physician may suggest some of the following ways to reduce the feeling of the side effects:

1. Injecting With Food

During your injections, your doctor may suggest that you have a full but not recently full stomach. As this may help with some of the feelings of nausea. You may feel this both when you have an empty stomach as well as a full one. The key is finding that perfect balance.

2. Initial Injections During Certain Days and Times

The ability to curb the initial feeling of fatigue may not be possible. However, it can be easier to start these feelings when you have more time to rest. For example, weekends, when you aren’t required to be working and potentially feeling the adverse reactions more strongly.

3. Adjusting Your Dosage Schedule

Adjusting your dosage schedule is a key part of ensuring that both short-term and long-term side effects are kept in check. Your doctor may ask you to start with an initial schedule and adjust from there. If you’re feeling your side effects more strongly and they’re not seemingly subsiding after injection (during onset), then it’s important to contact your primary care physician immediately.