When Do Wegovy Side Effects Start?

Wegovy is a popular weight loss medication that can help some people shed pounds by reducing their appetite and helping them feel more full for longer. However, some of the same mechanisms that help you lose weight (like food staying in your stomach for longer), can also lead to side effects.

Most people who use Wegovy will experience some side effects including nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, or constipation. Some people find that these side effects lessen as you continue on your treatment.

So, to try and identify if these side effects will happen to you, or time out when you might not be feeling the best, it is a good idea to know just when these side effects might start. Below, we will cover when Wegovy side effects might start, how long they might last, and what you can do to help limit them.

When do Wegovy side effects start?

Wegovy side effects might start shortly after you start the medication. Although, this may depend on the person. Some people may start feeling side effects (and appetite/digestion effects) after their first weekly dosage. But others may not notice side effects until the dosage has been increased up a bit. Most people will experience some level of side effects in the first 5 months of Wegovy treatment.

The most common side effects of Wegovy use include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, and headache.

Since Wegovy is a medication that is meant to be titrated up from lower dosages to higher dosages over time, the effects (good or bad) may not occur until the higher maintenance dosages have been started.

How long do Wegovy side effects last?

Wegovy side effects might be short-term and resolve as you continue on the medication and your body (and habits) adjust. But, for some people, the side effects can be long-term and may remain in some capacity for the whole time the medication is used.

It is more likely to experience more or more intense side effects in the first days after your weekly dosage, as you are first starting on the medication, or if you are adjusting to using a higher weekly dosage.

It is unclear on average just how long Wegovy side effects will last. And, it seems like it may vary from person to person. However, there may be some lifestyle adjustments and tips you can implement to help manage side effects if they do occur.

What can you do to help limit the side effects of Wegovy?

Some of the gastrointestinal side effects of Wegovy can worsen depending on what you are eating. Try to make healthy food choices and avoid fried, greasy, fatty, or highly processed foods. These can worsen stomach upset, reflux, and nausea, since they will be hanging around in the stomach for longer.

Try to stay well hydrated while using Wegovy. You may be eating less food volume, and feeling hunger signals less, so you could be taking in less fluids during the day (yes, some of your fluid intake comes from the food you eat). Proper hydration can also help with healthy and comfortable digestion. 

Consider OTC options like acetaminophen for headaches, temporary laxatives or stool softeners, or anti-nausea medications. Certain supplements may also help with digestion comfort, especially those containing ginger and other stomach-soothing plants and herbs.

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PeptideVite is a pharmacist and physician-developed nutritional supplement from Zen Nutrients. PeptideVite was developed to help with healthy and comfortable digestion, especially for people who are using GLP-1 medications.*

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.