Why does Ozempic cause nausea, and how to relieve it

Nausea is the most common side effect of Ozempic (semaglutide), affecting around 20% of people who take the medication. The exact reason Ozempic causes nausea isn’t fully understood, but its effects on digestion, including slowing how quickly food leaves the stomach, may contribute. Watching what you eat and changing your eating habits can help relieve this side effect.

Researchers do not know exactly why Ozempic causes nausea, but it probably has something to do with how the drug works — specifically, how it activates glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors and slows gastric emptying. Gastric emptying is when food leaves your stomach and enters the small intestine.

Given GLP-1’s role in your digestion, it makes sense that GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic often cause gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. And because GLP-1 makes you feel full — both by telling your brain you’re full and by keeping food in your stomach for longer — you may experience nausea, especially after large meals or continuing to eat after you feel full. 

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Here are five strategies that can relieve nausea on Ozempic.

1. Watch what you eat

Healthy eating habits are an important part of treatment with Ozempic, whether someone is taking the drug for type 2 diabetes, off-label for weight loss, or both. Your healthcare provider may recommend changes to your eating habits based on your blood sugar levels, weight goals, and/or nutritional needs 

If you experience nausea, however, you will want to avoid eating fried, greasy, and sugary foods. These can contribute to nausea, and also aren’t great for glycemic (blood sugar) control or weight loss. Here are some examples of the types of foods you’ll want to limit as much as possible:

• Doughnuts and other pastries

• Burgers

• Fried foods

• Chips

• Sausage

• Canned or processed foods

• Other salty or spicy foods

Instead, eat low-fat, bland foods and foods that contain a lot of water, such as:

• Crackers

• Toast

• English muffins

• Baked chicken

• Baked fish

• Potatoes

• Noodles 

• Rice

• Soup

• Chicken broth

• Carrots

• Fruit (without the skin)

• Gelatin (jello)

• Popsicles 

• Yogurt

2. Change how you eat

In addition to adjusting what you eat, changing the way you eat can also reduce nausea while taking Ozempic. 

Start by eating smaller portions, more often. Also, try to eat slowly and savor your meal. Once you feel full, stop eating. 

And when you’re done eating, avoid lying down. Along the same lines, don’t eat right before bed. 

3. Drink ice-cold, clear drinks

As for what you drink, opt for something ice-cold and clear. 

When taking a GLP-1, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids, but drinking in small sips can help you avoid feeling too full. Try to drink straight from the glass and avoid using a straw. 

What should you drink on Ozempic? Water is always a good option. You can also sip on fresh fruit juice, sports drinks, and other clear fluids. Just check the sugar content first to avoid any blood sugar spikes or caloric load. Ginger-based beverages like ginger ale may also relieve feelings of nausea.

If your nausea leads to vomiting (about 9% of people taking the 1 mg dose of Ozempic report vomiting), make sure you drink plenty of fluids to rehydrate. As with nausea, vomiting is more common when you first start taking Ozempic, and when you ramp up your dose. 

4. Avoid other nausea triggers

If there’s anything you know that triggers your nausea, avoid it. For some people, that’s motion sickness. For others, it can be strong smells or even stress. 

After you eat, try to get some fresh air. You want to avoid being too active after a meal, but light exercise, like a short walk around your neighborhood, can help settle your stomach. 

5. Talk to your healthcare provider

If your nausea isn’t going away or causing you significant distress, reach out to your healthcare provider. They may be able to adjust your dosage of Ozempic or offer other suggestions for relieving your nausea, such as anti-nausea medications.

For some people, the nausea they experience on Ozempic is too much. If you feel like that might be you, talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives to Ozempic. Other GLP-1s can also be options, depending on why you’re taking Ozempic and your overall health. For example, Wegovy (which has the same active ingredient as Ozempic, semaglutide, but is approved for weight loss) or Zepbound (tirzepatide) may be options for weight management, while Mounjaro (also tirzepatide but approved for weight loss) can be considered for type 2 diabetes.

Gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, can occur with any GLP-1–based medications, but how well each medication is tolerated varies from person to person. 

Beyond changing your diet and eating habits, a handful of foods that may help relieve nausea include ginger, apples, mint, and crackers. Keep in mind that these options haven’t been studied specifically for GLP-1-related nausea.

Ginger 

While more research is still needed, a growing number of studies have found ginger relieves nausea and vomiting in various situations, from morning sickness during pregnancy to chemotherapy-induced nausea. Ginger is also included in expert recommendations for managing nausea from GLP-1 medications, although it hasn’t been well studied specifically for Ozempic-related nausea.

You can find ginger in the form of ginger supplements, ginger powder, ginger ale and other ginger-based drinks, and ginger root.

Apples

Apples may also help relieve nausea to some degree, although you might want to remove the skin first if you’re concerned about having too much fiber. In a study of women with hyperemesis gravidarum (severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy), apples were associated with the least nausea. 

Mint

Mint has long been used to combat indigestion after dinner, and it is included in expert recommendations for managing nausea while taking GLP-1s. Try sipping a cup of mint tea or mixing some mint leaves into your salad. 

Peppermint essential oils have been studied among people who experience nausea, including pregnant women, people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, post-op surgical patients, and people in the hospital. In many studies, mint was found to be effective in relieving their nausea.

Crackers

Crackers, including graham crackers and saltine or soda crackers, are a bland food recommended to people experiencing nausea on Ozempic. In a study of people with gastroparesis (a condition characterized by delayed gastric emptying), people reported that saltine and graham crackers improved symptoms, as did jello. 

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Nausea is a common side effect of Ozempic, but there are ways to relieve it.

• The exact reason Ozempic causes nausea isn’t fully understood, but keeping food in the stomach for longer may play a role. You can relieve nausea by eating slowly, eating smaller meals more often, and avoiding fried, greasy, and sugary foods.

• Eating bland foods and drinking ice-cold, clear drinks can help, too. You might also want to try ginger, apples, mint, or crackers.

• If you’re experiencing nausea on Ozempic that’s disrupting your life, talk to your healthcare provider. They can offer additional suggestions for nausea relief based on your personal health situation.