How Long Do Semaglutide Side Effects Last?

Better known by the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, semaglutide has surged in popularity in the last few years. Roughly 1 in 8 Americans have taken semaglutide or similar GLP-1 drugs to manage their diabetes or lose weight. The health benefits have been staggering for many people, yet semaglutide patients do experience side effects, especially in the first two to six weeks of taking their medication.

Let’s explore how long semaglutide side effects last in more detail. We’ll list the common semaglutide side effects, what semaglutide patients can do to reduce the duration and severity of their side effects, and we’ll even look at some rare but serious health complications that are connected to the use of semaglutide.

If you took semaglutide and developed major medical complications that affect your gastrointestinal system, you need to speak with the lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. Our law firm can evaluate what happened and let you know if you qualify for a lawsuit. Set up a free consultation today.

How Semaglutide Works

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1). GLP-1 is a hormone that is naturally found in the human body. It helps regulate blood sugar levels as well as hunger and feelings of satiety.

Semaglutide injections and semaglutide tablets mimic this naturally occurring hormone. By doing so, semaglutide helps regulate blood sugar levels, slow down the digestive process, and reduce a patient’s cravings and feelings of hunger.

To put this in much simpler terms, semaglutide helps patients maintain lower blood sugar levels and feel fuller for longer periods of the day. Since patients do not feel hungry as often, they tend to eat fewer calories each meal (and sometimes fewer meals overall). The reduced daily calorie consumption leads to weight loss and other health benefits.

A Note on Tirzepatide, Liraglutide, and Dulaglutide

Semaglutide is not the only popular diabetes and weight loss drug on the market. There are also tirzepatide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide. These drugs function much the same way as semaglutide: mimicking GLP-1 to regulate blood sugar and promote feelings of satiety.

Popular Brand Names for GLP-1 Drugs

Semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide are better known by these brand names:

• Ozempic (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Rybelsus (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Wegovy (semaglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
• Zepbound (tirzepatide from Eli Lilly and Company)
• Saxenda (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Victoza (liraglutide from Novo Nordisk)
• Trulicity (dulaglutide from Eli Lilly and Company)

Why Semaglutide Side Effects Develop

The body is a complex system, and any drugs that change the way the body functions are bound to cause a physical reaction. Each patient is different, so the duration and severity of the semaglutide side effects you experience may not be the same as a friend or neighbor who is also on semaglutide.

As with many other medications, most semaglutide side effects are annoying or uncomfortable rather than serious. The side effects are also temporary for the most part.

How Long Will Initial Semaglutide Side Effects Last?

For most patients taking semaglutide, the side effects will be most pronounced in the first two to six weeks when they start treatment. Their body will gradually get used to semaglutide, and side effects should be less noticeable and less severe as time goes on.

Common Side Effects Experienced by Semaglutide Patients

These are the most common side effects experienced by patients taking semaglutide injections and semaglutide tablets:

• Reduction in appetite
• Fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Blurry vision
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Upset stomach

Again, these side effects often improve over several weeks as the patient gets accustomed to taking semaglutide.

Tips for Managing Initial Semaglutide Side Effects

To address these common short-term side effects, semaglutide patients may want to consider the following tips:

• Stay Well-Hydrated – Drinking water throughout the day helps avoid dehydration, keeps energy levels up, and also aids in digestion and the prevention of constipation.
• Make Sure You Get Enough Sleep – Work on a better sleep routine and sleeping habits. Getting enough sleep every night can make a world of difference as your health changes.
• Eat a Balanced Diet – When you’re feeling hungry, don’t just turn to junk food and comfort foods. Eat healthy foods that are nutritious, high in fiber, and good for you to keep your energy up and your digestive tract moving.
• Get Regular Exercise – Exercise may tire you out in the moment, but it can really boost your mood and your overall health in the long run.
• Journal About Your Side Effects – As you experience any side effects on semaglutide, write down what you did or had to eat. You may notice patterns of behavior or in your diet that are followed by side effects.

What to Do If Semaglutide Side Effects Persist After Several Weeks

If your semaglutide side effects persist after several weeks or get worse, be sure to speak with your doctor about what you are experiencing. They will be able to better assess your situation and determine the right course of action.

Is Taking Semaglutide Safe?

For the majority of semaglutide patients, yes.

Many people have taken Ozempic and Wegovy for their health needs and achieved great results with diabetes management and weight loss. This is not the case for everyone, however.

In rare cases, semaglutide patients can develop long-term health complications. Some of these health issues are potentially life-threatening.

Long-Term Health Complications Linked to Semaglutide Use

Long-term health complications linked to the use of semaglutide include:

• Severe and prolonged vomiting
• Changes in vision (often related to diabetic retinopathy)
• Gallstones and gallbladder disease
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Increased risk of thyroid cancer
• Stomach paralysis (gastroparesis)
• Intestinal blockage or bowel obstruction (ileus)

Are These Serious Semaglutide Complications Common?

Thankfully, no. In fact, Novo Nordisk includes warnings about some of these potential dangers on the labels of their weight loss and diabetes drugs.

If you took semaglutide and experienced severe gastrointestinal health complications, the attorneys at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can help. We encourage you to contact our law firm as soon as possible if you have developed any of these GI complications:

• Severe and prolonged vomiting
• Stomach paralysis
• Intestinal blockage
• Bowel obstruction

Below, we’ve provided information that semaglutide patients should know about these severe gastrointestinal health issues.

Severe Vomiting from Semaglutide: What You Should Know

A little nausea and occasional vomiting are common side effects when someone starts taking semaglutide. However, severe and prolonged vomiting is much different and a major cause for concern.

Severe and prolonged vomiting means that a semaglutide patient vomits several times a day or more for a period of two weeks or longer. This difficulty keeping food and water down can cause all kinds of health problems.

The Health Risks of Prolonged Vomiting

Vomiting several times a day for multiple consecutive weeks can cause severe irritation and possible injury to the esophagus.

In addition, the increased acidity of the mouth can cause acidic erosion of the tooth enamel, a dental problem that can contribute to tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, root canal infection, and even tooth loss.

Stomach Paralysis from Semaglutide: What You Should Know

Also referred to as gastroparesis, stomach paralysis is when the nerves and muscles of the stomach refuse to push food from the stomach into the small intestine, disrupting the digestive process. That means the food and liquid you’ve consumed are just stuck in the stomach.

The Symptoms and Warning Signs of Stomach Paralysis

The most common warning signs of stomach paralysis are as follows:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Indigestion
• Stomach pain, especially around the upper abdomen
• Abdominal bloating
• Total loss of appetite
• Heartburn
• Constipation

The Health Risks of Stomach Paralysis

Without prompt diagnosis and medical care, untreated stomach paralysis can contribute to malnutrition, dehydration, the formation of a bezoar (a solid mass in the stomach), and many other severe health problems.

Intestinal Blockage from Semaglutide: What You Should Know

An intestinal blockage is an obstruction in the small intestine or part of the large intestine. This blockage prevents food from moving through the rest of the GI tract for digestion and eventual excretion.

For semaglutide patients, there are two potential causes of a blocked intestine:

• Ileus – Ileus is when the muscles of the intestines fail to push food through the digestive tract.
• A Bezoar – If a bezoar eventually passes from the stomach into the small intestine, it can get stuck as it moves through the GI tract.

The Symptoms and Warning Signs of a Blocked Intestine

The most common warning signs of a blocked intestine are as follows:

• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Bulging in the abdomen
• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• Constipation
• Inability to pass gas

The Health Risks of Intestinal Blockage

Without prompt diagnosis and medical care, an untreated intestinal blockage could cause death of the surrounding intestinal tissue and infection of the patient’s abdominal cavity (peritonitis). Both of these health conditions could be fatal, so be aware of the warning signs of intestinal blockage.

Bowel Obstruction from Semaglutide: What You Should Know

A bowel obstruction is similar to an intestinal blockage, though the obstruction is located in the patient’s large intestine or the colon. Like a blocked intestine, an obstructed bowel may be the result of ileus or a bezoar that has become stuck while moving through a person’s digestive tract.

The Symptoms and Warning Signs of an Obstructed Bowel

The most common warning signs of an obstructed bowel are as follows:

• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal pain
• Bulging in the abdomen
• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• Constipation
• Inability to pass gas

The Health Risks of Bowel Obstruction

Without prompt diagnosis and medical care, an untreated bowel obstruction could lead to tissue death, peritonitis, or sepsis. All of these conditions can similarly prove fatal, which is why you need to seek medical care as soon as any bowel obstruction warning signs arise.

What to Do If You Develop Severe GI Problems from Semaglutide

If you experience any of the symptoms that we’ve listed above, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You will also want to consult your doctor about long-term changes regarding semaglutide use and your overall health.

When you are well enough to do so, it is also worth consulting with our team of experienced lawyers about potentially filing a lawsuit against the makers of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Semaglutide-Related Medical Problems?

If you suffered life-altering medical problems after taking semaglutide, you’re not alone. You may be eligible to take legal action against Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly and Company for the complications you developed as a result of taking Ozempic, Zepbound, or other GLP-1 medications.

The lawyers of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can provide answers to your questions about litigation related to semaglutide as well as tirzepatide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide

How Bursor & Fisher, P.A. Can Help Semaglutide Patients

To be represented by our law firm, injured semaglutide patients must meet specific criteria regarding their medical history.

The attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. will carefully screen for certain conditions and review your semaglutide case when you contact us for a free evaluation.

Damages in a Semaglutide Complication Lawsuit

Damages in a semaglutide injury case can cover the cost of hospitalization and emergency medical care, ongoing medical expenses related to semaglutide use, and any long-term impact on a semaglutide patient’s quality of life.

Keep in mind that the amount of damages awarded in a semaglutide lawsuit is determined on an individual client basis. To find out how much your legal claim could be worth, it’s best to discuss what happened with the GLP-1 lawsuit attorneys at Bursor & Fisher, P.A.

How Semaglutide Patients Can Learn More About Their Legal Options

For more information about seeking compensation from the makers of Ozempic and Zepbound, contact Bursor & Fisher, P.A. Your case evaluation is free.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. has represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans. Our law firm is a nationwide leader in complex, high-stakes litigation.

Our attorneys have secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts over the years, which includes actions against pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and Company. We’re ready to fight for you.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is not a medical provider. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.