How long does nausea last with Wegovy? Real timelines and relief tips

Starting something new always comes with a melting pot of emotions. Excitement, optimism, hope and a healthy dose of nerves. If that 'something new' happens to be starting on the weight loss medication, Wegovy, you might also be experiencing something a bit more unpleasant: nausea.

Yes, for all its benefits for effective weight loss, nausea is unfortunately a common side effect of Wegovy. While it's not typically something to be concerned about, it can make you feel a little uneasy (literally) and make it challenging to go about your day-to-day activities.

The good news is, the nausea that accompanies Wegovy injections is typically temporary. Plus, it usually follows a fairly predictable pattern, so you can plan accordingly and get ahead of it. If you find yourself Googling "How long am I going to feel like this?" read on for everything you need to know about nausea and Wegovy — including timelines and how you can find fast relief.

Why does Wegovy cause nausea?

It's not entirely known why Wegovy and other weight loss injections can cause nausea. However, experts hypothesise that it's related to the delayed gastric emptying of the stomach [1] — a key component of its weight loss mechanism. While it can be annoying, some people reframe post-injection nausea as a sign that the medication is working.

How GLP-1 medications affect the digestive system

Like Ozempic, Wegovy is part of a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. Their active ingredient, semaglutide, mimics the action of the natural hormone, GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which is released in the gut after eating.

The medication binds to receptors in the various parts of the body, including the pancreas, stomach lining and brain, which stimulates the production of insulin. This, in turn, helps to regulate blood sugar levels, which is why these medications were originally designed to treat type 2 diabetes.

The medication is now, of course, also used for weight management — thanks to its ability to send signals of fullness to the brain, slow down stomach emptying and regulate appetite [3]. So, any Wegovy-induced nausea you may notice may simply be the result of the medication doing its thing in the digestive system.

How common is nausea when taking Wegovy?

Nausea is the most commonly reported side effect, with clinical trials showing it affects around 44% of patients taking Wegovy [4]. The other most common side effects include diarrhoea (30% of patients), vomiting (24%), stomach pain (20%), feeling bloated (7%), heartburn (5%), and burping or flatulence (6%).

The good news is, these digestive symptoms are normally mild, and only 5 to 10% of patients have to stop their treatment because of them [4].

How long does nausea last with Wegovy?

If you're wondering if Wegovy-induced nausea goes away with time, the answer is "yes and no." Usually, the side effects will be most pronounced when you first start taking Wegovy, but they may come and go over time. Here's what to expect.

Typical timelines for new users

Most patients report nausea within the first few days to one week after their first injection. In some cases, this side effect can start within hours [5]. However, most patients taking Wegovy see a significant improvement as their body adjusts to the medication. In most cases, nausea subsides within about four to eight weeks after the first dose.

Does nausea return with dose increases?

When you are prescribed Wegovy, you will be given a dosing schedule by your healthcare provider. Typically increasing in increments every four weeks, this allows you to titrate up to your maintenance dose gradually.

Each increased Wegovy dose can trigger a temporary return or intensification of nausea as the body readjusts. This is why it's so important to follow the schedule to a tee — as increasing doses too rapidly will likely intensify your side effects.

How to manage nausea while taking Wegovy

While nausea is a common side effect of Wegovy, that doesn't mean you have to just white-knuckle your way through it. There are some helpful strategies to help you find fast relief.

Keep it simple

When you're struggling with nausea, it's not the time to start experimenting with exotic or spicy meals! To help settle an upset stomach, it's best to stick to eating bland, low-fat foods, like plain crackers, toast or apple slices. You'll also likely want to avoid fatty, rich, greasy or high-fat foods, or anything with a strong odour. It can also be a good idea to eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than big ones, although you'll likely find that Wegovy has that effect on your food intake anyway!

Take a sip

Not that we ever need an excuse to enjoy a cuppa, but drinking tea can help settle a nauseous stomach. Specifically, herbal varieties like peppermint, ginger and fennel seed contain properties that can help with gastrointestinal distress [6].

Similarly, carbonated beverages like mineral water, soft drinks and ginger ales can help with nausea. This is because the bubbles can help neutralise the acidity in the stomach [7]. That said, if weight loss is your goal, you may want to keep high-calorie soft drinks as an emergency option only.

Stay hydrated

On a similar note, adequate hydration is key for keeping nausea at bay. Dehydration can disrupt digestive processes, as the body needs sufficient fluid to produce saliva and digestive fluids [8]. That's not to say you should chug litres of water at a time, as this may make nausea and vomiting worse. However, it's a good idea to sip on water continuously throughout the day to keep your fluids up. Plus, it's good for you in general!

Stretch it out

While you'll likely want to avoid rigorous physical activity while you're feeling nauseous (no jumping jacks!), yoga and light stretching may help. Good poses for nausea include legs up on the wall and cat-cow, as they help remove the pressure on the diaphragm. If all else fails, child's pose (kneeling on the floor while sitting back on your heels and folding your arms forward), can work wonders for an upset stomach.  

Medications that may help

It can also be helpful to have medications on hand for when nausea strikes. Common over-the-counter options include antihistamines like cinnarizine and cyclizine, as well as hyoscine hydrobromide for motion sickness [9]. Prescription medications include prochlorperazine, metoclopramide, and ondansetron, which are used for various causes of nausea [9].

Of course, it's important to speak to your doctor first before you start any new medications or supplements. This will allow them to confirm that there are no potential drug interactions between Wegovy and your nausea medication.

Can the injection site impact whether Wegovy makes you nauseous?

While some people on social media claim that injecting Wegovy into your upper arm can help reduce side effects like nausea, there is no scientific evidence that this is the case. The abdomen, thigh and arms are all perfectly acceptable injection sites, and none is more effective than the other [10]. That said, it's generally advised to switch up where you inject each time (such as switching sides), to help reduce irritation around the injection site.

When should you speak to your doctor about nausea?

While most of the time, nausea subsides quickly and is nothing to worry about, in some cases, it can be a sign of low blood sugar levels. When blood sugar drops, the body releases adrenaline to try and increase it, which can affect the digestive system. Low blood sugar can also impact the vagus nerve, which is responsible for signalling the stomach to empty.

If your nausea persists longer than a few hours or is accompanied by other symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating or shaking, this may be a sign that low blood sugar is to blame [11]. Known as hypoglycaemia, this condition must be treated immediately by eating or drinking something with a high carb and sugar content. It's also important to let your prescriber know about your side effects, so they can rule out any underlying health issues.

It's also important to note that the advice in this article pertains to mild side effects, including nausea and other digestive issues.

If your nausea is accompanied by:

• Difficulty breathing
• Abdominal pain
• A sore throat
• Chest tightness
• Severe pain anywhere in the body

Or, if you're experiencing severe nausea, it's important to seek medical attention immediately, as it may be a sign of a serious allergic reaction or another medical emergency.

Nausea doesn't have to be a nuisance, thanks to Juniper

Whether your nausea is short-lived or recurring, you don't need to navigate it alone.

With the Juniper Programme, you can access weight loss medication tailored to your health and goals, never one-size-fits-all. Our app helps you track progress, connect with your care team, adjust medication as needed, and access expert support. You'll also get structured tools to build lasting habits and ongoing care.

Kickstart your weight loss journey with Wegovy, a groundbreaking weight loss injection that mimics the GLP-1 hormone to help control cravings, delay stomach emptying, and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

We help you make lifestyle and habit changes, and we’re in it with you for the long run, having helped thousands of women achieve their weight loss goals.

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