How long do semaglutide side effects last? A patient’s guide

Whether you're feeling a pounding in your head or sick with stomach cramps, the side effects of semaglutide can be enough to have anyone wondering if what they're feeling is normal.

From nausea to heartburn to a sore throat to impaired vision, some of the side effects of this medication can feel confusing, disruptive and hard to manage, and knowing how long they might last is important to not just easing the mind, but in knowing when it's time to start worrying about them.

So, here we'll take a look at the side effects of semaglutide, both the common ones and the rarer ones, how long you might expect to have them, how to manage them, and when it's time to seek medical assistance.

What are the common side effects of semaglutide?

Like with many medications, semaglutide injections can have side effects that range broadly, from gastrointestinal symptoms to issues with balance and energy.

While no one wants to experience these symptoms, they're generally considered fairly normal when taking this sort of weight loss medication, and should be temporary. These common side effects include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain or an upset stomach
• Feelings of bloat or gas
• Heartburn
• Stomach flu
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Runny nose or sore throat; and
• Low blood sugar in people with Type 2 Diabetes

Many people on the semaglutide injection experience these side effects quite mildly, but some may experience more severe cases, the most commonly reported being nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and tiredness. If you have any worries about the side effects you are experiencing, you should discuss your concerns with your healthcare professional [1].

Rare but possible side effects of semaglutide

While most of the side effects of semaglutide are both mild and manageable, there are some instances where you may experience more serious side effects.

These side effects are rare, but have been found to occur in some patients. They include:

• Inflammation of the pancreas, also known as pancreatitis. This will occur as severe abdominal pain that will not go away, often accompanied by nausea or vomiting
• Gallbladder problems, including gallstones
• An increased risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If you take medicines for diabetes, such as insulin or sulfonylureas, you may be at greater risk of this side effect
• Dehydration leading to kidney disease. You are at a greater risk of this if you are experiencing some of the common side effects of diarrhea or vomiting. Making sure that you are drinking enough fluids to replenish those you are losing can help reduce this risk
• Severe stomach pain
• Severe allergic reactions
• Changes in vision in people with Type 2 diabetes
• Increased heart rate
• Depression or change in mental health state [2]

If you experience symptoms of any of these side effects, you should seek immediate medical attention. If you have a family of thyroid tumours, or are undergoing any medical procedure such as surgery where you will be placed under anaesthesia or sedation, please alert your doctor to the fact that you take semaglutide [1].

How long do semaglutide side effects last?

If you’re experiencing any of the common side effects while taking semaglutide, you should expect them to last no more than a few weeks; however, they can return as you increase your dosage and your body has to adjust again. If this happens, your healthcare provider may prescribe you a smaller dose in order to help you transition and manage the more severe symptoms.

Temporary vs long-term side effects

If temporary side effects of taking semaglutide medication can be expected to go away after a few weeks, it can beg the question of what, exactly, you can expect with some of the more serious, long-term side effects.

This varies ultimately depending on the side effect that you’re experiencing and any drug interactions from other medications you may be on. In particular, pancreatitis is generally expected to go away within two weeks. Still, studies have found that other side effects, such as vision problems, acute kidney injury – often caused by dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea – or gallbladder problems can worsen over time if left unaddressed [3].

As a result, ensuring that you are monitoring your symptoms and regularly checking in with your body is vital to taking this weight management medication not just effectively, but safely.

Factors that influence how long side effects last

As people experience different side effects for different lengths of time, it should come as no surprise that how someone responds to this and any other medication is dependent on a few different factors.

Dosage and titration

Semaglutide medications are designed to be taken incrementally, with doses increasing every four weeks until you reach your maintenance dose.

While there is a standard, recommended dose, some people might find that their unique body make-up responds with more severe side effects to that recommended dose than others. In cases like this, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe you a smaller dosage, which should help to ease symptoms while still supporting weight management [3].

In one US clinical trial, 8.6% of semaglutide users chose to reduce their dose or stay on a lower dose instead of progressing [2].  

Individual tolerance

An individual’s tolerance to semaglutide can also have an enormous effect on how this medication is received by the body.

A particular sensitivity to it might see you losing weight faster than others, but it might also see you experiencing side effects for longer, too, and some may not find this manageable. This isn’t uncommon.

In fact, that same US clinical trial found that 2.9% of patients had to stop taking the semaglutide because they weren’t able to tolerate the side effects, while numerous other studies have found that severe gastrointestinal symptoms in users particularly sensitive to the medication can make long-term use unfeasible [2].

Underlying health conditions

Like with any medication, semaglutide can interact with underlying health conditions that can exacerbate symptoms and lead to long-term side effects.

In particular, semaglutides have been found to cause low blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes and impact vision in people with the same condition.

As a result, speaking to your doctor about your health prior to commencing with this medication is vital in ensuring you are taking semaglutide safely.

Lifestyle and diet

Semaglutide medications don’t work in isolation. They’re designed to be a part of a holistic weight loss program that includes exercise and healthy eating.

If you don’t pair it with regular movement and a balanced diet, you may find yourself experiencing some of the common side effects for longer. In particular, symptoms like constipation are often caused by a lack of dietary fibre and water [4], just as diarrhea can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

Making sure that you are supporting your body by eating well and getting enough exercise isn’t just important to taking this medication, but can also ease some of the common side effects.

How to manage side effects effectively

Luckily, there are many things you can do to manage the side effects of the semaglutide injection, including:

• Eat smaller meals, more often, to reduce nausea and vomiting
• Stay hydrated, particularly if you're experiencing diarrhea or vomiting
• Increase your fibre intake and maintain a balanced diet full of nutrient-rich foods
• Avoid food high in fat, sugar or heat
• If you experience dizziness, try drinking unsweetened herbal teas
• Get regular exercise to support digestion
• Monitor your blood sugar levels, especially if you are taking diabetes medications
• Take over-the-counter medication for nausea or digestive support
• Talk to your medical practitioner about reducing your dosage or slowing down your dose increases

Looking for more advice on managing symptoms?

The Juniper Programme keeps you in touch with healthcare professionals not just as you start treatment, but on every stage of your weight loss journey. If you're struggling with side effects of semaglutide, simply hop online and speak to one of our prescribers for advice on how to manage any adverse effects that you may be experiencing.

When to seek medical assistance

If you experience any severe symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. If you are experiencing more mild, common side effects, you should speak to your doctor if they persist for more than a few weeks, or if they start to intensify in feeling.

What to keep in mind while on semaglutide

Semaglutide is designed to support weight loss and weight management, but it’s not meant to be taken in isolation. It’s given as a part of a broader, holistic treatment that requires lifestyle changes, a healthy diet and regular exercise to have you looking and feeling your best.

That said, it’s also a medication, and as a result, it should be taken only as prescribed by your doctor, kept safe and out of reach of children, and written onto any medical documents or discussed in any medical appointments you might attend.

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