Does Wegovy make you tired?

If you’ve been feeling sleepier than usual, you might be wondering: does Wegovy make you tired? The short answer is yes, some people report feeling tired while taking Wegovy. Here’s how common it is and why it can happen.

Yes, Wegovy can make you tired. In fact, fatigue listed as a potential adverse side effect on the prescribing information (PI) for the drug, and research backs this up. 

• According to the Wegovy PI,  11% of participants taking the 2.4 mg dose reported fatigue after 68 weeks of treatment during a clinical trial. This was more than double the amount in the placebo group. 

• Another 68-week clinical trial of adults with overweight or obesity taking 2.4 mg of semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) found 12.8% of participants reported fatigue during treatment, compared to 7.4% in the placebo group. 

• A 2022 study looked at real-world outcomes among people with overweight or obesity who took 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg of semaglutide for up to six months. 6% of participants reported fatigue. 

The percentages of fatigue vary in each study. It’s important to note that, regardless of the study, fatigue was found to be significantly less common than gastrointestinal (GI) side effects.

Here’s a look at some of the most common side effects listed in the Wegovy PI:

• 44% reported nausea

• 30% reported diarrhea

• 24% reported constipation

• In comparison, just 11% of users reported fatigue

You may not notice tiredness as easily as nausea or constipation, especially if you have a busy schedule, says Allison Rhodes, MD, a dual-board certified physician in internal medicine and obesity medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. 

But Dr. Rhodes adds that, if you are bothered by fatigue, it's helpful to know that semaglutide could be to blame.

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Wegovy can make you tired for many possible reasons, including: 

• Taking in fewer calories

• Changes in your metabolism

• Trouble sleeping

• Low blood sugar

• Increased physical activity while taking the medication

• Dehydration

All of these reasons are related to the way Wegovy works in the body. Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, and these medications act like the GLP-1 hormone that’s made in the body. They:

• Increase insulin production

• Reduce glucagon release when blood sugar is normal or high

• Slow down how quickly food through the stomach

These actions cause Wegovy to lower your blood sugar levels, make you feel full for longer, and decrease appetite. 

The result? You will likely eat less, take in fewer calories, and might feel more tired as your body adjusts to the drop in energy intake. 

Got all that? Good! Now, let’s take a closer look at the potential reasons for Wegovy fatigue.

1. Reduced caloric intake

GLP-1 receptor agonists like Wegovy keep food in the stomach for longer. They also tell your brain you’re less hungry. So you feel full sooner and for longer, and eat less overall. 

This is an effective way to lose weight but it can also make you feel depleted and tired. After all, calories are your body’s energy source. 

According to Dr. Rhodes, the body needs some time to adjust to a lower caloric intake. She says, "That's true whether you're on Wegovy, another semaglutide medication, or you're just in a calorie deficit in general." Even if your appetite is lower on the medication, aim for a consistent, nutrient-dense eating pattern to ensure you’re still meeting your minimum daily calorie needs.

2. Changes in blood sugar levels

Low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia, can make you feel tired, and some people will experience this side effect on Wegovy. You’re more at risk for this if you have type 2 diabetes or take another medication — such as insulin — to lower blood sugar. 

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in both Wegovy and Ozempic, helps lower blood sugar levels. Unlike Ozempic, Wegovy isn’t approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for diabetes, but it can still influence your blood sugar.  

This is why it’s important to tell your healthcare provider exactly what medications you are taking. If you are starting a GLP-1 medication for the first time and are taking other medications that could also lower your blood sugar, your healthcare provider may adjust those medications accordingly.

3. Electrolyte imbalances

Electrolyte imbalances can cause fatigue. When you take Wegovy, this can happen from:

• GI side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, or feeling too nauseous to eat or drink enough

• Increasing your activity level or working out more without adequate hydration

• A decreased sense of thirst, which can occur with GLP-1 medications

​​When electrolytes like sodium or potassium are too high or too low, it can disrupt how your body regulates fluids. This imbalance often occurs alongside dehydration, which can lead to fatigue, reduced alertness, and difficulty concentrating.

If you’re concerned about this, consider getting your electrolyte levels checked. If an imbalance is found, you may benefit from electrolyte-containing fluids or supplements — but be sure to discuss this with your healthcare provider first. It’s possible to get too much of certain electrolytes, and levels that are too high can be just as harmful as levels that are too low.

4. Changes to your metabolism

Dr. Rhodes explains that as you lose weight, your metabolism might slow down temporarily while your body gets used to your new, lower weight. Metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories for energy. 

When your metabolic rate decreases, your body starts conserving more energy, which can make you feel more fatigued — especially during active weight loss — until your system adapts.

5. Poor sleep quality

Taking Wegovy can make it more difficult to sleep because of its potential to cause GI side effects, headaches, and low blood sugar, Dr. Rhodes explains. These effects can cause a vicious cycle where poor sleep makes your symptoms worse, and those symptoms in turn make it harder to sleep. 

Think of it this way: If your stomach is hurting or if you’re running to the bathroom too often, your body likely isn’t going to get the rest it needs. The more your sleep quality is affected, the more likely you are to have daytime sleepiness and fatigue, Dr. Rhodes says.  

But as your body adjusts to the medication, these side effects do tend to get better, according to Dr. Rhodes. When that happens, your sleep may improve, and your energy levels may bounce back.

6. Increased physical activity

Your healthcare provider will likely recommend increasing your physical activity while taking Wegovy. While regular exercise is good for your health and can help you drop pounds, it can also make you more tired in the short term, according to Dr. Rhodes. 

This can be especially true if you’re new to working out. 

And you might feel even more tired if you’re not fueling your body with the right post-workout foods. If you’re burning more calories through exercise but not eating enough to fuel your workouts or support muscle recovery, your body may struggle to keep up. 

Research shows that when you lose weight without getting enough protein, you’re more likely to lose muscle. Losing muscle can make you feel physically weaker, especially during a calorie deficit.

Wegovy-related fatigue can get better on its own, but there are some strategies that can get you feeling less blah, sooner. "The earlier you can address issues like fatigue, the shorter the duration of those side effects,” Dr. Rhodes says.

Just make sure you talk with your healthcare provider about your Wegovy side effects, including fatigue. 

Move more often

We get it. Exercising while on Wegovy can be challenging when you’re feeling tired. But sometimes, especially if you have chronic fatigue, moving your body as tolerated can help you get back some of that energy. You may also notice a mood boost and better sleep — both of which can increase your focus and alertness. 

One study found that exercise and overall physical activity significantly reduced fatigue in adults with chronic conditions. While this hasn’t been specifically studied for Wegovy-related fatigue, the same principles are likely to help. 

Here are some tips to get you started:

• Start slow. Take short walks or do some gentle yoga to ease into a new exercise routine. 

• Do a mix of cardiovascular exercises and strength training. Aim to work up to 30 minutes of cardio five days a week, along with two days of strength training a week.

• Make sure you’re drinking water before, during, and after a workout. This helps prevent dehydration. 

• Make sure you’re getting enough nutrition, too. Protein intake is important when you’re losing weight to help preserve muscle and keep your energy up.

Of course, keep in mind to clear all changes to your routine with a healthcare provider before getting started, especially if you have issues with your heart health.

Focus on sleep quality

Sleep is important for battling fatigue while on Wegovy, Dr. Rhodes says. Plus, better sleep can lead to other advantages like improved weight loss outcomes, she adds. Try to get at least 7–9 hours of shut-eye per night. 

Practicing good sleep hygiene can help you score ample zzz’s (and, as a result, potentially aid in weight loss, too). Best sleep hygiene practices include:

• Having a consistent sleep schedule where you go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning

• Keeping your bedroom dark, cool, and quiet 

• Avoiding blue light close to bedtime, including phones and TVs 

• Practicing relaxation techniques, such as mindful breathing, meditation, and certain types of stretching, to ease tension and help you wind down

• Regularly exercising during the day

Eat a balanced diet

Focus on nutrient-dense foods to regain your energy and fight fatigue on Wegovy. 

A balanced diet can lead to better blood sugar management. This can keep your energy up throughout the day instead of the blood sugar spikes and crashes that can come when eating simple carbohydrates or sugar. 

You can do this by prioritizing:

• Lean proteins like eggs, tofu, chicken, or fish 

• Whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, or oatmeal

• Fruits such as berries, apples, or oranges

• Vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, or brussels sprouts

• Healthy fats like avocado, chia seeds, or olive oil 

Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated can counteract or prevent feelings of fatigue on Wegovy. Research has found that when people are dehydrated, this can lead to mood changes, poor sleep, and dips in energy levels. Aim for roughly 9–13 cups of fluid daily, though individual needs may vary. 

If you’re not a fan of plain H2O, you can try: 

• Sparkling water

• Coconut water (includes hydration-helping electrolytes)

• Herbal teas

• Broth

Wegovy fatigue is usually temporary. How long it lasts in each person depends on different factors, including your dose. Side effects usually worsen right after increasing your Wegovy dose, but as your body adjusts, side effects should improve. The higher the dose, the more chances of side effects, including feeling fatigued. 

Some people might feel tired for a few hours after their weekly injection. For others, they can feel fatigued for weeks. Most of the time, these side effects get better the longer you’re on the medication. If you’re experiencing significant fatigue, be sure to discuss your options with your healthcare provider.

In addition to fatigue, Wegovy can cause other side effects that include:

• Nausea

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Headache

• Indigestion and heartburn

• Dizziness

• Bloating

• Burping

• Low blood sugar

• Injection site reactions, such as redness, swelling, or itching

These side effects can be more noticeable when first starting the medication, or increasing your dose, says Paunel Vukasinov, MD, internal medicine specialist at Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York.

But if your symptoms are persistent, getting worse, or negatively affecting your life, let your healthcare provider know. They may adjust your dosage, switch your medication, or look into other causes of your fatigue.

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Wegovy might make you tired. It’s often temporary, and making changes to your lifestyle can help. Here's a recap on why this may be happening and what you can do:

• Wegovy can help with weight loss and weight management by changing your appetite and reducing calorie consumption.

• While these effects can help you slim down, they can also be to blame for feeling tired on Wegovy. 

• Other causes of Wegovy fatigue can include low blood sugar, trouble sleeping, more physical activity, metabolism changes, and dehydration.

• Wegovy-related fatigue may lessen over time as your body gets used to the medication.

• Some lifestyle changes can help you regain energy and feel less tired, such as focusing on quality sleep and eating a balanced diet.