Ozempic & Diarrhea: How it Works & Getting Relief

Key takeaways:

• Diarrhea is a common side effect of Ozempic; more than 5 percent of patients taking the medication experience diarrhea.
• It’s also common to experience diarrhea every time you change or increase your dosage of Ozempic.
• Eating small, frequent meals and avoiding certain foods can help manage diarrhea while taking Ozempic.

If you are taking Ozempic (semaglutide) to manage your diabetes and/or aid in weight loss, you’re probably familiar with some of its unpleasant digestive side effects.

You’ve undoubtedly wondered if some of the symptoms you’re having – such as diarrhea – are normal when taking this medication. Well, you’ll find the answers to these and other questions right here. In this article, we explore how taking Ozempic can lead to diarrhea, how long it typically lasts, effective home remedies, prevention strategies, and when to seek medical help.

Does Ozempic commonly cause diarrhea?

For those who take the medication called Ozempic, diarrhea is a well-documented side effect. Studies have shown that gastrointestinal (GI) issues, including diarrhea, affect many patients at least once during their course of treatment with Ozempic.

The drug’s manufacturer reports that more than 5% of patients taking Ozempic will experience diarrhea and other side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. While diarrhea can be bothersome, it is usually not a reason for concern, as it may diminish as your body adjusts to the medication.

Duration of diarrhea on Ozempic

The duration of Ozempic-induced diarrhea will vary from person to person. Research shows that middle-aged adults are more likely to experience GI side effects from this medication than elderly patients. Research has also shown that symptoms typically appear within a week of starting treatment with Ozempic.

After a few weeks of taking the drug, many people get used to it and no longer experience side effects – but this doesn’t apply to everyone. Some will continue to have diarrhea throughout their entire course of treatment, or have it flare up each time they increase their dosage. Having to cope with diarrhea and other ongoing side effects is a common reason why patients choose to discontinue taking Ozempic.

How Ozempic can cause diarrhea

The exact reason Ozempic causes diarrhea is unknown. However, there is ample research to support the most likely connections between the medication and diarrhea.

Dose-related side effects

Most patients who experience Ozempic-related diarrhea will notice it when they first start the medication, as well as with dose escalation.

Patients on higher doses of Ozempic are the most likely to experience adverse side effects. Slowly tapering your dose may help to minimize the occurrence of diarrhea.

Delayed gastric emptying

Some research indicates that Ozempic can lead to gastroparesis, or delayed emptying of the stomach. With gastroparesis, your stomach muscle contractions are too weak to digest food and pass it on to your intestines.

Thus, food sits too long in your stomach. Common symptoms of gastroparesis include bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. While a relationship between gastroparesis and Ozempic has been shown, exactly why that occurs is unknown.

Gut microbiome changes

Ozempic may alter the microbiome (a community of microorganisms) in your digestive tract, which is often called the gut. Changes in this balance can affect digestion and lead to diarrhea.

Some research suggests that the combination of Ozempic and the development of delayed gastric emptying can impede a person’s ability to absorb and digest certain nutrients. In that case, it could lead to side effects such as diarrhea.

Read our guides on types of diarrhea and common causes of diarrhea for more.

How to treat or stop Ozempic-related diarrhea at home

People who take Ozempic should have a clear understanding that diarrhea may be inevitable while they’re on the medication. Still, there are ways it can be effectively treated at home. Here are some methods to try before seeking the opinion of a healthcare provider.

Hydration

Diarrhea can lead to a rapid loss of fluids and electrolytes and, ultimately, dehydration.

This can be dangerous so it’s essential that you stay hydrated. If you develop diarrhea while taking Ozempic, be sure to drink plenty of water and electrolyte-containing drinks.

Modify your diet

Lean proteins, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables are great food choices while on Ozempic. This sort of diet can help you avoid inducing or worsening gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea.

In general, individuals experiencing diarrhea are also encouraged to eat a BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) to help minimize diarrhea.

Medications

You may consider taking over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications if you are experiencing diarrhea after taking Ozempic.

Keep in mind that these medications are not intended to be taken over the long term. So, if you find that you need them beyond one to two days, you should consult your healthcare provider to discuss the next steps.

Read our guide on how to treat diarrhea for more.

How to prevent diarrhea from Ozempic

Unfortunately, diarrhea is a very common side effect of Ozempic – which means it may be impossible to fully prevent. However, there are a few tricks to help reduce its severity and make it more manageable.

Take your medication as prescribed

To help with tolerability, your dose of Ozempic should be increased gradually as recommended by a healthcare provider. Always take your medication as prescribed. Do not skip doses, increase the dose, or stop the medication without first consulting your doctor.

Eat smaller, more frequent meals

Smaller meals may be easier for your digestive system to handle, which potentially reduces the likelihood of diarrhea.

Since Ozempic slows down digestion and stomach emptying, making sure not to overeat or have too full of a stomach at any given time can be helpful.

Diet modifications

Even if diarrhea is caused by Ozempic, certain foods can worsen it. It’s a good idea to avoid high-fat foods, refined carbohydrates (white bread, white rice, cereal, cookies), and foods and drinks with a lot of added sugars.

When to see a doctor about diarrhea from Ozempic

Although diarrhea is to be expected in many patients taking Ozempic, it is important to recognize when this symptom is no longer considered normal. Learn to recognize the warning signs and when you should speak to your healthcare provider.

You should see a doctor if:

• Diarrhea persists for more than a week after starting a new dosage;
• You experience severe abdominal pain;
• You experience signs of mild dehydration: increased thirst and decreased urine output.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You have signs of severe dehydration such as dizziness, extreme thirst, or heart palpitations;
• You experience severe nausea or vomiting along with diarrhea;
• You’re unable to tolerate any food or drink by mouth for more than 24 hours;
• You notice blood in your stool or vomit.

Questions to ask your doctor about diarrhea on Ozempic

• Is diarrhea a normal side effect of Ozempic?
• Does this side effect ever go away? Or will I experience it as long as I am taking Ozempic?
• Are there ways to manage diarrhea without stopping Ozempic?
• Are there any diet changes or medications I can take to help manage this?

How a doctor may treat diarrhea from Ozempic

If you’re not able to manage your Ozempic-associated diarrhea at home, you should consult with your healthcare provider. Here are some possible next steps.

Dose adjustment

As previously stated, GI side effects like diarrhea are usually more severe and occur more frequently when taking higher doses of Ozempic.

If you were previously tolerating the drug well at a lower dose, and then developed diarrhea when your dose was increased, your doctor may recommend changing or lowering your dose.

Switching medications

For some people taking Ozempic, unfortunately, the diarrhea does not improve as time goes by even with treatment.

If you continue to experience GI side effects from Ozempic that negatively interfere with your daily life, your doctor may consider switching you to a different medication.

Frequently asked questions: diarrhea from Ozempic

Ozempic is a popular medication, so it isn’t unusual to have questions about it and its possible side effects. Here are some of the most common questions regarding diarrhea from Ozempic.

Does diarrhea from Ozempic ever go away?

Many individuals who start taking Ozempic and develop diarrhea will improve within the first few weeks of taking the medication as their body adjusts to it. Unfortunately, however, some may continue to suffer from diarrhea for as long as they continue taking Ozempic.

What should you do immediately after you get diarrhea if you’re taking Ozempic?

In this article, we covered that experiencing diarrhea while taking Ozempic is common and not necessarily a reason to be worried.

If this happens to you after taking a dose of Ozempic, the first step you should take is to increase your fluid intake to reduce the possibility of dehydration. Eating a bland diet can also help. As always, however, if you’re in doubt or have any concerns, see your healthcare provider.

Is Ozempic worth the unpleasantness?

Ozempic has proved to be a great medication for managing diabetes and helping patients with weight loss. Where it falls short is its unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects. Diarrhea is a common and expected side effect of this medication.

If you’re lucky, you will be able to manage it on your own at home and will stop having diarrhea as time goes on. Keep in mind that if this side effect becomes unbearable, there are other options out there and your healthcare provider can guide you through what to do next.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Pallabi Sanyal-Dey, MD.

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