Does Ozempic Cause Diarrhea? Yes. Here’s How to Manage It

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Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable medication that's FDA-approved to help treat Type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is a powerful tool for diabetes management. It can help improve your blood sugar levels and lower your risk of developing heart attacks and stroke.

Ozempic can also lead to side effects, like diarrhea. And diarrhea from Ozempic can be unpleasant enough to make some people completely stop the medication.

But how often does Ozempic cause diarrhea? And how long does it last? Research shows that Ozempic-related diarrhea does go away on its own. And there are ways to treat it. Here's everything to expect when Ozempic causes diarrhea.

Does Ozempic cause diarrhea?

Yes, Ozempic causes diarrhea.

In clinical trials, diarrhea was the third most commonly reported side effect, just behind nausea and vomiting. But only about 8% of people experienced diarrhea while taking Ozempic.

That means most people won't experience diarrhea while taking Ozempic.

But if you're one of the unlucky people who is experiencing diarrhea, don't give up on your medication.

One study showed only about 4% of people who experience gut-related side effects end up opting to stop taking Ozempic. This study suggests that while Ozempic side effects are bothersome, they aren't debilitating. And most people were willing to deal with the side effects because the medication offered so many benefits.

How long does Ozempic diarrhea last?

It's not clear how long Ozempic-related diarrhea lasts.

In one study, diarrhea lasted an average of 3 days. In studies, most Ozempic-related side effects went away within a few weeks. The true answer is likely somewhere in between. Your diarrhea will likely go away on its own within a few days to 2 weeks as your body gets used to medication.

But keep in mind that diarrhea episodes can get worse when people go up on their Ozempic dose. Give your body a few days to adjust to your new dose if you experience a new wave of diarrhea with a dose increase.

Why does Ozempic cause diarrhea?

It's not clear why Ozempic causes diarrhea. Research suggests that people develop diarrhea because of how Ozempic works on your gut.

Ozempic changes how your body absorbs some nutrients, which can lead to diarrhea. Ozempic also affects how quickly the gut moves. It slows down how fast the stomach empties. It can also slow down the rest of the gut. But in some people, this can also trigger the stooling reflex, leading to diarrhea.

Can Ozempic cause constipation?

Yes, Ozempic can also cause constipation. And it's possible to experience both diarrhea and constipation while taking Ozempic. How can you experience both at once?

When people get constipated, old, hard stool sits inside the colon. As new stool forms, the blocked colon can't absorb the water out of the new stool.

The new stool stays liquid and leaks around the older, harder stool. This is called overflow diarrhea and it's very common in people who experience chronic constipation.

Some experts think overflow diarrhea is the actual reason why so many people experience diarrhea while taking semaglutide.

How do you treat diarrhea from Ozempic?

If you're experiencing Ozempic-related diarrhea, there are things you can do to get relief. These things can also help you avoid future episodes of diarrhea when you have dose changes. Here are three to try.

1. Avoid certain foods and drinks

Certain foods and drinks can aggravate diarrhea, no matter what's causing your loose stools.

Try to cut down or remove these foods from your diet until your diarrhea goes away:

• Caffeinated drinks

• Alcohol

• Sugary beverages

• Milk

High-fat foods can also worsen Ozempic-related diarrhea. You should avoid high-fat foods like full-fat dairy products such as:

• Milk

• Cheese

• Yogurt

• Ice cream

Fried or greasy foods can also worsen symptoms. Avoid foods like:

• French fries

• Pizza

• Hamburgers

• Fried chicken

Instead, try to boil, grill, or bake food whenever possible. You can also swap out full-fat dairy products for nonfat or low-fat options. As your body gets used to Ozempic, you may be able to slowly add some of these foods back into your diet.

2. Drink more water

When you have diarrhea, you want to increase your fluid intake to replace what you're losing. Opt for water, clear drinks that contain electrolytes, or broth. Most people need between 91 oz and 125 oz of fluid each day.

Getting enough fluid will also help you avoid Ozempic-related constipation and overflow diarrhea.

3. Talk with a healthcare professional

It's also a good idea to talk with your healthcare team if you're experiencing diarrhea while taking Ozempic. They might slow down the rate in which you're going up on your dose, which can help you avoid diarrhea. Experts believe higher doses of semaglutide are more likely to cause diarrhea. This is probably why about 1 in 3 people taking Wegovy experienced diarrhea. Wegovy is another form of semaglutide that's FDA-approved for weight management but it's typically given at higher doses than Ozempic.

It's also possible that your other medications are also contributing to diarrhea. For example, many people taking Ozempic also take metformin, which can also cause diarrhea. Your prescriber might adjust your other medications or swap them out for something else. Just make sure you don't stop taking any of your medications without talking with your healthcare team.

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