Semaglutide is a drug that goes by three different brand names. Ozempic (injectable form) and Rybelsus (oral form) are authorized for sale by Health Canada to manage type 2 diabetes while its counterpart, Wegovy (injectable form), is indicated for long-term weight management. Generic semaglutide (injectable form) is also available and contains the same active semaglutide ingredient as all of the brand name products. All forms work the same way on the body. Generic semaglutide is also authorized for type 2 diabetes. All options contain the same active ingredient (semaglutide) and work the same way.
Semaglutide helps the body better regulate blood sugar levels. It does this by mimicking natural hormones secreted from the GI tract that control blood sugar production. Injectable semaglutide does many things in the body to support weight management and the most common is that it slows down stomach emptying, making your body feel “full”.
By educating yourself about the potential side effects of semaglutide, you can better assess the benefits and risks of using this medication. Let’s explore the side effects of semaglutide that you should know about to make a well-informed decision on whether this medication may be appropriate for you.
Common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Acid reflux
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Headache
It’s not uncommon to experience some short-term side effects during the first few weeks of treatment, but the length of time that they last and the severity vary from person to person.
The most common side effects include mild nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, or constipation. These most frequently happen when you start a treatment or increase your dose, and usually improve within a few weeks. Over-the-counter medicines can often help reduce the severity of side effects. Please reach out to your Felix practitioner at any time in the chat if you have any questions or concerns about your treatment or side effects. If symptoms persist or become severe, seek in-person care with your primary healthcare practitioner, walk-in clinic or emergency department.
Tips for Managing Side Effects
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux). There are a few things that you can try that may help manage them, such as:
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals
- Eating slowly
- Drinking plenty of water
- Avoiding fatty foods
- Avoiding eating in the evening/night
- Increasing the amount of fiber in your food
Please reach out to your Felix practitioner at any time in the chat if you have any questions or concerns about your treatment or side effects. If symptoms persist or become severe, seek in-person care with your primary healthcare practitioner, walk-in clinic or emergency department.
Read more about side effects here:
Ozempic Side Effects You Should Know
Wegovy Side Effects You Should Know
Rybelsus Side Effects You Should Know
