Semaglutide injections have become a very popular option for people who want to lose weight without having bariatric surgery. Ozempic and Wegovy are the brand names given to semaglutide for the treatment of diabetes and for weight management, and they offer individuals some help with blood sugar control and weight loss, but like any type of prescription medication, they come with side effects.
Today we will outline the typical side effects you might experience while using semaglutide, and we will also answer the question, “Does semaglutide cause headaches?”
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What Are the Typical Side Effects of Semaglutide?
The most common side effects caused by semaglutide are normally related to your stomach and usually occur when you first start using the medication or when your dose is increased. The side effects most people experience include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, or other GI-related issues.
These side effects are mild to moderate for most people, and they normally resolve on their own as your body gets used to the drug. For many people this takes just a few weeks, and for others it may take a month or two. Semaglutide is dosed using a titration schedule to help mitigate the severity of these side effects, so your doctor will start you out on the lowest dose and increase it gradually so your body can more easily adjust.
Does Semaglutide Cause Headaches?
Some people who begin using semaglutide injections report headaches, but interestingly, one trial reported headaches in 14% of the semaglutide users and 10% in the group using the placebo, and another large clinical trial showed that the rate of individuals who reported headaches was also very close to those reported by the placebo group, so it is hard to know if the semaglutide is directly related to the headaches.
These numbers suggest that some of the headaches could be related to other things rather than the medication, but many real-world users continue to report new or worsening headaches after starting semaglutide, so it is worth considering that the two may be related.
Why Might Semaglutide Cause Headaches?
To date, there has not been one single proven explanation for experiencing headaches while using semaglutide, but here are some reasons why they might occur while using the medication.
So, the quick answer to the question, “Why does semaglutide cause headaches?” is that it may not directly cause headaches for most people but can create conditions that commonly trigger headaches, like dehydration, low blood sugar, and nausea. In rare cases, there might be a direct effect on the GLP-1 receptors in the brain that trigger a migraine, but this is still being studied.
Do Headaches From Semaglutide Go Away on Their Own?
If you have just started using semaglutide to help you lose weight, keep in mind that you may experience side effects, which most likely will include feelings of nausea, stomach upset, vomiting, and maybe a headache. Most side effects from semaglutide manifest when the medication is first started and tend to gradually get better as your body adjusts. If you develop a headache that persists or gets worse, it may signal that you have low blood sugar, are dehydrated, or have an unrelated medical issue that should be looked into.
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What Is the Best Way to Get Rid of an Ozempic Headache?
If you develop a semaglutide headache, there are a few things you can try to alleviate your discomfort, including:
- Drink plenty of fluids, and it is a good idea to keep a water bottle nearby so it is easy for you to sip from it throughout the day. Staying hydrated can normally help quickly ease a semaglutide headache caused by dehydration.
- Do not skip meals, but eat small, regular meals to avoid sudden drops in your blood sugar. Skipping meals or waiting too long between them can increase the chance of developing a headache caused by a sudden drop in blood sugar.
- If you are experiencing chronic nausea that is making it hard for you to keep food or fluids down, talk to your doctor about getting some anti-nausea medication to help avoid becoming dehydrated and developing a headache.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can often provide some relief from headaches if they are not occurring too frequently.
- Keep track of when your headaches occur, how long they last, and details of what might have triggered them. Set up an appointment with your doctor and share these details so they can get to the bottom of what may be the root cause. Your current dose may be adjusted, or your doctor may make adjustments to your dosing schedule. Do not stop or change your medication dosage on your own and without speaking with your doctor.
There has not been a substantial amount of evidence that directly ties semaglutide to headaches, and it is not listed as one of the common side effects, but it is a complaint that some users have made. Headaches are often tied to dehydration, blood sugar changes, or nausea, which can be side effects, that occur when first starting semaglutide injections. If the semaglutide headaches are a result of these normal semaglutide side effects they should improve after your body adjusts to the medication and these other side effects subside.
If you are experiencing headaches that are severe, new, or do not improve, seek medical attention so the underlying cause can be found and treatment options can be determined.
Where Can I Learn More about Semaglutide Injections For Weight Loss?
Dr. Steven Batash and the team at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center in NYC can help you with a semaglutide prescription and other non-surgical weight loss interventions.
Dr. Batash is an expert gastroenterologist with a specialty in weight management and has over 30 years of experience in helping improve the health of those located nearby and who come from other states and countries to benefit from his expertise. If you are tired of trying to lose weight on your own, get the help you need and deserve and set up a consultation today with the experts at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center.
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