Does Ozempic make you tired?

Yes, Ozempic can make you feel tired, but fatigue is a relatively uncommon side effect of semaglutide (Ozempic’s active ingredient), affecting anywhere between 0.4% to 11% of people in clinical trials, depending on the dose and indication. While it can be disruptive, Ozempic fatigue tends to be temporary. 

Ahead, we break down why Ozempic fatigue can happen, how long it lasts, and what you can do to stay energized while taking the medication. 

The short answer is yes, Ozempic can make you feel tired, but it’s not common and there are things you can do to make it better.

It’s unclear why some people experience fatigue while taking Ozempic. It’s possibly due to how Ozempic works: by controlling blood sugar levels and curbing appetite.

Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that helps lower blood sugar levels and slows down food moving through the stomach, ultimately decreasing appetite.

Lower blood sugar can make you feel more tired. And if you’re not as hungry, you’re likely taking in fewer calories, leading to a drop in energy levels. 

Long-term, you may notice the opposite: As you get used to the medication and you lose weight (especially when prioritizing physical activity and a healthy diet), your energy may increase and you may feel less tired.

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Between about 0.4% and 11% of people taking semaglutide reported fatigue in clinical trials, depending on the dose and the indication.

The reason for this range is that fatigue can be dose-dependent, and the studies focus on two groups of people taking semaglutide: those with type 2 diabetes taking Ozempic, and those taking Wegovy for weight loss.

To put it in perspective, gastrointestinal side effects were far more common, with up to about 20% of people experiencing nausea, and 9% experiencing vomiting in clinical trials.  

While researchers don't know exactly why Ozempic causes fatigue in some people, three main factors likely play a role.

Low blood sugar

One of Ozempic’s main purposes is to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, and that drop might cause you to feel fatigued. This can be especially true if you’re eating significantly less — a common occurrence when taking Ozempic. You might feel temporarily lethargic as your body adjusts to the drug. 

Important: It’s not as common as other side effects, but hypoglycemia — i.e., dangerously low blood sugar — can happen when taking Ozempic. Symptoms of hypoglycemia can include: 

• Headache

• Shaking or trembling

• Sweating

• Dizziness

• Blurry vision

In severe cases it can even cause you to pass out.

The risk of low blood sugar increases when you take Ozempic in combination with insulin or sulfonylureas (which also lower blood sugar). 

Share a full list of the medications you currently take with your healthcare provider prior to starting on Ozempic. If you’re also taking insulin, sulfonylureas, or other blood sugar-lowering diabetes medications, your provider may lower your doses of other medications that could lower your blood sugar.

Decreased appetite

Like other GLP-1s, Ozempic can be a powerhouse at reducing appetite. Not only does it decrease hunger cues in the brain, but it also slows down gastric emptying, decreasing the speed at which food moves through the gut. 

This can help you feel fuller sooner and for longer, which can ultimately lead you to eat significantly less overall — and, as a result, take in fewer calories and nutrients. These effects can promote weight loss (that’s why Ozempic is often prescribed off-label for that purpose), but they can also leave you feeling depleted and, you guessed it, tired. Think of it this way: When less fuel (read: calories) goes in, less energy comes out. 

Dehydration

The GLP-1 hormone itself can suppress our ability to sense thirst and the amount of fluid we drink, which was demonstrated by a study of dulaglutide (another GLP-1 medication) in healthy volunteers. 

For this reason, people on GLP-1 medications should be more mindful about drinking enough water, even if they don’t feel thirsty. 

Additionally, Ozempic can cause gastrointestinal side effects, including:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

Unfortunately, these side effects can take a toll on your body and can cause you to lose more fluids than your body needs, often leading to dehydration. And what can dehydration cause? Fatigue. 

Plus, research suggests dehydration can also lead to other lethargy-related symptoms, such as feeling less alert and able to concentrate. 

For most people, fatigue may improve within 2–8 weeks as your body adjusts to Ozempic. While Ozempic fatigue hasn’t been studied specifically, this estimate is based on how long more common side effects (like GI discomfort) have been shown to be at their peak.

Side effects tend to be dose-dependent. You may notice fatigue returns temporarily when your dose is increased, then improves again.

People taking the higher doses of Ozempic (e.g  0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg) may be more likely to feel tired. Here’s a table breaking down the standard timeline of dosage increases:

Remember, your dose escalation schedule may look different depending on how you respond to the medication and deal with side effects.

There’s no hard-and-fast rule for how long you might experience Ozempic fatigue, especially since there haven’t been any studies on this specific side effect. That said, research has found that common side effects of Ozempic (think: GI woes) improve as your body gets used to the medication — something that can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. It makes sense that this principle would hold true for fatigue as well.

There are a handful of strategies you can try to manage your tiredness and hopefully keep it from interfering with your daily life. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider if fatigue persists, or seek emergency medical attention if you have dangerous symptoms like lightheadedness, passing out, or low blood sugar. 

Whether or not Ozempic causes you to feel tired, there are several ways you can deal with fatigue and increase your energy — many of which involve simple lifestyle adjustments. 

Improve sleep quality

Try to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night, as getting good sleep can help reduce fatigue. Practice healthy sleep habits, by implementing the following sleep hygiene tips:

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even weekends

• Remove screens (TV, phone, tablets, etc.) from the bedroom

• Keep your bedroom cool and dark

• Use white noise

• Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime

Focus on nutrition

Even if you're eating less, focus on nutrient density. Try eating 5–6 smaller meals instead of three large ones.

Key nutrients can be found in:

• Lean protein, like eggs, beans, and lean meats

• Whole grains, like brown rice and oatmeal

• High-quality fats, like those in nuts, seeds, fish, and olive oil

• Vegetables, particularly non-starchy ones (think: kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts)

• Fruits like apples, pears, and berries

Interestingly (though perhaps unsurprisingly), the Mediterranean diet (which is full of foods like these) is associated with improving people’s sleep quality, so it may improve symptoms of fatigue.

Stay hydrated

Aim for about 9–13 cups of water daily. Staying hydrated helps maintain your energy levels and prevents fatigue.

Here are some tips for getting in your water quota for the day: 

• Set phone reminders to drink water throughout the day.

• If you’re feeling nauseated from Ozempic, remember to sip water, don’t chug it.

• Eat foods high in water content like watermelon, cucumbers, and celery.

• Carry a water bottle with you.

Not a fan of plain H2O? Sugary, calorie-loaded beverages aren’t your only options. You can stay hydrated without any unnecessary sugars and calories by drinking: 

• Unsweetened sparkling water

• Coconut water without added sugar

• Herbal teas  

• Broth and soups

• Flavor enhanced water (using whole fruits, like lemon or berries)

Get regular exercise

It may sound counterintuitive, but moving more gives you more energy. Try to work up to 30 minutes of moderate activity like:

• Walking

• Yoga

• Swimming

• PIlates

• Weight-lifting

Start with just 10 minutes of physical activity if you're very fatigued and build up gradually. Make sure you’re eating enough to support your workouts.

Pay attention to your mental health

Fatigue is one of the hallmark symptoms of depression, so it’s possible the fatigue you’re feeling isn’t from Ozempic at all. Taking a proactive approach to mental health, even if you haven’t had any issues in the past, can go a long way to keep you feeling engaged and energetic.

Consider talking to a therapist or your healthcare provider if the fatigue you experience is accompanied by low mood or loss of interest in activities.

Mental health self-care can look different for everyone, and it can mean taking both big and small steps. It can be as simple as carving out a few minutes every day for calming, centering self-care activities. Exercise can boost mental health, too. If you’re feeling fatigued, try taking a short walk instead of something more strenuous.

Contact your provider or seek emergency medical attention if:

• Fatigue is severe or interferes with daily activities.

• You experience symptoms of low blood sugar (shakiness, sweating, confusion, or rapid heartbeat).

• Fatigue persists beyond 2–3 months on a stable dose.

• You have signs of dehydration (dark urine, dizziness).

Other side effects are significantly more common while taking Ozempic. However, most people find they are manageable and resolve with time.

The most common side effects tend to be gastrointestinal in nature, which makes sense considering one of Ozempic’s key effects is slowing your digestion down. 

Common side effects can include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Constipation

In rare and serious cases, Ozempic can cause allergic reactions, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, or thyroid C-cell tumors. Ozempic is also not recommended to be taken in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer. 

Side effect severity tends to increase with higher doses of Ozempic. Finding the sweet spot between seeing the benefit of the drug while minimizing side effects is a key element of figuring out the right dose of Ozempic. In clinical trials, only a small percentage of people (some trials report less than 5%) stopped taking Ozempic because of side effects.

There are many strategies to help manage side effects as your body is adjusting to a new dose. These include:

• Eating small, frequent meals

• Eating bland, easily digestible foods like those in the BRAT diet

• Taking over-the-counter anti-nausea treatments

• Drinking mint or ginger tea (though you may want to avoid mint if you are experiencing acid reflux)

• Paying attention to foods to avoid while taking Ozempic, like greasy fried foods and refined carbohydrates

• Taking probiotics

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As with all prescription drugs, Ozempic can cause side effects, and one of those can be fatigue for some people. But, like the more common side effects of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, fatigue should get better as you adjust to the medication. Let’s recap:

• The exact cause of Ozempic fatigue isn’t fully known, but low blood sugar, dehydration from side effects, and eating less may all play a role.

• Like GI side effects such as nausea and vomiting, Ozempic fatigue often improves as your body adjusts to the medication. 

• Lifestyle changes can help ease Ozempic fatigue, including getting enough sleep, eating well, staying active, keeping hydrated, and caring for your mental health. 

• Remember, the majority of Ozempic users don't experience significant fatigue, and for those who do, it may improve with time and strategies for managing fatigue.