Wegovy side effects and how to manage them
Wegovy, like any medication, can cause side effects, but for most people, they’re mild and tend to settle on their own. Everyone’s experience is different, though, and knowing what to expect can help you start treatment confidently.
Most people find that any side effects ease over time as their body adjusts, but there are also plenty of simple tips and tricks that can make things easier along the way.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how common certain side effects are, how long they usually last, ways to manage them, and when it might be a good idea to reach out for extra help.
Three key takeaways:
- The most common side effects of Wegovy are typically mild and go away as your body becomes used to the medication. These can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, heartburn, or stomach pain.
- Most side effects can be improved and managed at home with over the counter treatments or diet and lifestyle changes.
- If Wegovy (semaglutide) side effects are affecting your daily life, or if you’re worried you may have a serious side effect, speak to a doctor straight away.
What are the side effects of Wegovy?
The most common side effects, affecting around around 1 in 10 people are:
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- fatigue
- stomach pain
- complications diabetic eye disease (in people with diabetes)
Other Wegovy side effects, affecting less than 1 in 10 of people are:
- dizziness
- indigestion
- burping
- passing wind
- stomach bloating
- acid reflux (heartburn)
- gallstones
- hair loss
- allergic reactions around the area where you inject the medication
- changes in how food and drink taste
- skin feeling different
- low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) in patients with diabetes
Uncommon side effects of Wegovy include:
- fast heartbeat
- elevated levels of enzymes in the pancreas
- delayed gastric emptying (emptying of the stomach)
- low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) in patients without diabetes
- Increased levels of bilirubin —a pigment producedduring red blood cell breakdown that indicates liver health (signs include yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin)
Less than 1 in 100 people taking Wegovy experience these side effects.
Prescribing pharmacist Ayesha Bashir says:
“It’s normal to have concerns around side effects whenever you start a new medication. In my experience, most of these side effects tend to be rare and short-lived. The good news is you can usually treat a lot of them with home remedies, lifestyle changes and over the counter medicines you’re already familiar with. You can always talk to your prescriber about how you’re feeling if you could do with some extra help feeling your best as your body gets used to treatment”
How can I reduce the side effects of Wegovy?
To help reduce the most common side effects of Wegovy, try these tips from Head of Pharmacy, Jason Murphy for dealing with:
Headaches
- stay well-hydrated by drinking lots of water
- use rehydration sachets if headaches are still bothering you
- take over-the-counter pain relief, like paracetamol, if you need to
Nausea and vomiting
- avoid fatty and oily foods
- eat slowly
- do not lie down after eating
- pop out for some fresh air
- if you’re still feeling sick, our prescribing pharmacists can advise you on anti-sickness medications like cyclizine or promethazine
Heartburn
- limit or avoid caffeine
- avoid spicy or fatty foods
- if you’re still experiencing indigestion, try an antacid like Rennie or Gaviscon
Diarrhoea
- diarrhoea can cause dehydration, as you lose fluids when you go number two, so drink plenty of water
- use rehydration sachets, if you need to
- if it persists, our expert pharmacists can recommend diarrhoea medications
Constipation
- eat foods with plenty of fibre, like fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, and whole grains (think brown rice and wholewheat pasta and bread)
- drink lots of water
- get some exercise
- if you’re still struggling to stay regular, talk to a pharmacist about medicines for constipation relief
Feeling weak or tired
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep by:
- sticking to a sleep schedule
- keeping the room cool, as this lowers your body temperature and slows your metabolism to maintain your circadian rhythm — the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle
- blocking disturbances like noise and bright light
- If you’re still struggling to catch some Z’s, you can also try medications for insomnia
Gas and bloating
- limit foods like sprouts, cabbage, and other gas-producing vegetables
- limit fizzy drinks
- try herbal teas like fennel or peppermint
- take wind and bloating medications
Dizziness
If you’re feeling a bit dizzy while taking Wegovy, low blood sugar could be the culprit. To help keep your blood sugar stable, try these:
- have regular, small meals
- eat high-fibre foods, like vegetables, first
- eat foods high in carbohydrates last — this helps slow your digestion and stabilise blood sugar
Your doctor can help you assess your blood sugar levels to make sure they stay stable.
The most common questions about side effects:
When do Wegovy side effects start?
Wegovy side effects usually start as soon as you begin taking the medication.
This is normal, because your body is going through changes as you adjust to treatment.
As you increase your dosage over time, side effects can return as your body adjusts to the new levels of the medication.
For some people, side effects come and go, even on the same dose, but you can manage them with over the counter medicines and changes to your diet and habits to help you stay comfortable as you adjust to your current dose.
How long do Wegovy side effects last?
The side effects of Wegovy typically last between two to four weeks for most people.
Most common symptoms will go away on their own as your body adjusts to the medication, but side effects can come back as dosage increases over time.
If your current dose is causing side effects that are difficult to manage, you may need to drop down to a lower dose. You can always talk to your prescriber to help make sure your weight loss journey is as comfortable as possible. Give yourself time to get used to the dose you’re on, and remember, it’s a walk, not a sprint!
Do the side effects of Wegovy go away?
Yes, typically. The good news is that most people taking Wegovy find that common side effects go away within days or weeks of beginning the medication.
Some side effects may go away and return as you continue your treatment.
For some people, side effects may not go away entirely but become easier to manage with changes to your lifestyle and routine. You may also find that seeing positive results gives you a mental boost, so you can feel good about the beneficial changes you’re making for your overall health.
Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about any side effects you’re feeling, or if you’ve been having them longer than expected.
How common are Wegovy side effects?
| Side effect | Frequency |
| Nausea | 44.2% |
| Diarrhoea | 31.5% |
| Vomiting | 24.8% |
| Constipation | 23.4% |
| Headache | 15.2% |
| Indigestion | 10.3% |
| Stomach pain | 10% |
| Allergic reactions | 7.4% |
| Injection site reactions | 5% |
| Hepatobiliary (liver, gallbladder, and bile duct) disorders | 2.5% |
| Liver disorders | 2.4% |
| Gallstones | 1.8% |
| Cancer tumours | 1.1% |
| Hypoglycaemia (very low blood sugar) | 0.6% |
| Acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) | 0.2% |
| Acute kidney failure | 0.2% |
Tips to avoid the most common Wegovy side effects
The best way to avoid the most common side effects of Wegovy is to:
- eat small, regular meals
- avoid spicy or fatty foods
- eat a balanced diet of high-fibre and high-protein whole foods
- limit caffeine and alcohol
- drink lots of water
- eat high-fibre foods like vegetables first and carbohydrates last at mealtimes
- stick to a sleep schedule and create an environment suited to restful sleep by blocking bright light and noise
- get regular physical activity
Are there long-term side effects from taking Wegovy?
In rare cases, some people may experience long-term side effects from Wegovy as they increase the dose over time. These may include:
- gastrointestinal (digestive) side effects, like stomach pain, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, and vomiting
- low blood sugar
- kidney damage
- gallbladder issues, like inflammation or gallstones
- inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- thyroid cancer (very rarely, in people with a family history of this condition)
It’s important to note that these side effects are rare and while some, like digestion issues and gallstones, can be helped and prevented with improved diet, others, like thyroid cancer, are usually more related to genetics and a family history of the condition.
So, although people have reported these side effects at the same time as taking Wegovy, it is not clear that Wegovy influenced or was the cause of these conditions.
In the long-term, treating obesity does a lot more good for your health, including lowering the risk of developing cancer, so the benefits of taking Wegovy considerably outweigh the small risks of serious side effects.
Other reported side effects
A 2021 study of 1,961 people found that some semaglutide users reported other side effects which have not been consistently reported in similar numbers in other studies and which are not listed side effects in Wegovy’s package leaflet information, including:
- common cold 21.5%
- upper respiratory tract infection 8.7%
- heart disorders 8.2%
- mental health disorders (anxiety, depression, and insomnia) 9.5%
This study also groups psychiatric (mental health) disorders together, and includes insomnia (trouble sleeping) in this group. This makes it difficult to know exactly how common the mental health effects of Wegovy are.
For some people, having difficulty nodding off could be due to other more mild side effects like headaches, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, or other symptoms.
A much larger, more recent data set analysis found that just over 1% of users reported mental health issues as a side effect of Wegovy.
What are the most serious side effects of Wegovy?
The most serious side effects of Wegovy are severe allergic reactions and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
Pancreatitis
The main symptom of acute (sudden) pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) is severe, prolonged stomach pain that may move to the back.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms of pancreatitis, contact your doctor immediately or go to A & E.
Head of Pharmacy, Jason Murphy adds “It's completely natural and understandable that some people might get spooked by discomfort on a new medication. But in my experience, it doesn't usually mean there's anything seriously wrong. It's most likely a mild side effect as your body gets used to things. If you get strong stomach pain that doesn’t go away with rest or moving around - especially if it moves to the back or comes with fever and vomiting - seek urgent care. But if the pain comes and goes, it’s probably not cause for alarm.
Serious side effects are unmistakable and very rare. If it was pancreatitis pain, you’d definitely know it. So if it's mild-to-moderate and it's not affecting your daily life, it's more than likely nothing to worry about.”
Severe Allergic Reactions
In very rare cases, some people may experience severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and angioedema (swelling beneath the skin, typically around the face, hands, feet, or genitals).
You should seek urgent medical care immediately if you notice the following symptoms:
- breathing problems
- dizziness
- wheezing
- swelling of the face, throat, lips, or tongue, with difficulty swallowing
- fast heartbeat
- skin becoming pale and cold
- feeling weak
Ayesha Bashir, prescribing pharmacist says: “You should definitely go to A&E straight away if you have any symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. Wegovy is safe for the vast majority of people, and severe allergic reactions are extremely rare, but it's important to check the packaging to make sure you're not allergic to any ingredients”
Other Serious Side Effects
Other serious side effects that you should seek medical care for include:
- kidney and bladder stones (symptoms include difficulty urinating or changes to the colour of your urine)
- hip fractures
- diabetic eye disease getting worse (in people with diabetes)
- bowel obstruction
- thyroid tumours (cancer)
Wegovy side effects with alcohol
Alcohol does not directly interact with Wegovy, so the good news is it’s not off the table completely. The key is to drink in moderation because, for some people, it can cause or worsen side effects.
Some experts do not recommend drinking alcohol while taking Wegovy, as both can lower your blood sugar, but you can talk to your doctor about your current blood sugar levels and whether they think this may be something for you to keep an eye on.
As with other side effects and medications, the important thing is to listen to your body while enjoying a glass or two.
Alcohol also contains empty calories that can make it harder to lose weight, so if you’re planning to have alcohol as part of a calorie-controlled diet, be sure to make sure you factor in the calories from your favourite tipple to stay on track with your weight loss goals.
Frequently asked questions about other side effects:
Is dehydration a side effect of Wegovy?
Dehydration is not a direct side effect of Wegovy. But other side effects like vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, as you lose fluids through both vomit and stool.
When you're dehydrated, your body takes more water from your stool to save on fluids. This makes the stool dry, hard, and more difficult to pass. Drinking plenty of water and replacing lost minerals can help prevent this.
It’s important to drink lots of water and use supplements to replace lost minerals in the body if necessary.
Does Wegovy cause hair loss?
Yes, it can cause hair loss in some people.
Rapid weight loss can cause telogen effluvium, a type of hair loss that happens when the body responds to something that shocks the system, along with possible nutrient deficiencies from eating less. However, Wegovy itself does not cause this, it’s simply a side effect of losing weight quickly.
This can be challenging, but the reassuring news is that it’s not permanent. Hair shedding typically happens around 3-6 months after starting the medication and resolves once weight loss stabilises.
Just remember that this side effect is normal and temporary and is a positive sign that the medication is working and that your body is adjusting to a healthier new weight.
Taking a hair growth medication or supplement with hair-promoting vitamins and minerals, like Nourkrin for women, or finasteride for men, can offset these changes and help keep your hair healthy.
How common is depression with Wegovy?
Depression is listed as an uncommon side effect of Wegovy. However, in a 2024 review of data from over 30,000 users, less than 0.6% of people taking weight loss injectables, including semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) reported depression as a side effect.
However, more research is necessary to investigate the mental health side effects of wegovy.
Are Wegovy side effects worse than Mounjaro side effects?
No, Wegovy’s side effects are not necessarily worse than Mounjaro’s. In fact, Wegovy has fewer listed common side effects than Wegovy. Both medications have similar side effects, some of which are more common for some people taking either medication.
Some very common Wegovy side effects that are not very common for Mounjaro are headaches and fatigue.
Some common side effects of Mounjaro that are not common with Wegovy include:
- skin reactions like eczema, itching, and rashes
- low blood pressure
- elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes — juices that your pancreas creates to help digestion by breaking down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates
- raised levels of calcitonin — a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates your calcium levels
A common serious side effect of Wegovy for people with type 2 diabetes that does not occur when taking Mounjaro is diabetic eye disease worsening.
You can learn more about the differences between Wegovy and Mounjaro by reading our guide.
Are the side effects of Wegovy stronger than with other weight loss injections?
No, current evidence does not conclusively show people taking Wegovy experience stronger side effects than with other weight loss drugs.
How strongly someone feels the side effects of Wegovy will vary from person to person.
Who should not take semaglutide (Wegovy)?
Our prescribing pharmacists do not recommend you take Wegovy if:
- you are pregnant
- you are below 18 years old
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
- you have a family history of thyroid cancer
- you are allergic to semaglutide
- your BMI is under 30 and you do not have a weight-related health condition
Can Wegovy interact with other medicines?
Yes, Wegovy has been known to interact with some other medications.
Some common medications that can interact with Wegovy include:
| Drug | Interaction with Semaglutide |
| Acarbose | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Acenocoumarol | May decrease anticoagulant effect |
| Alogliptin | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Canagliflozin | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Dapagliflozin | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Empagliflozin | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Ertugliflozin | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Fenfluramine | May decrease blood glucose concentrations |
| Glibenclamide | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Gliclazide | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Glimepiride | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Glipizide | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Insulin | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Levothyroxine | Slightly increases exposure |
| Linagliptin | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Metformin | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Pioglitazone | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Repaglinide | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Saxagliptin | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Sitagliptin | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Somapacitan | May increase blood glucose, opposing Semaglutide’s effect |
| Somatrogon | May increase blood glucose, opposing Semaglutide’s effect |
| Tolbutamide | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
| Vildagliptin | Increases risk of hypoglycaemia |
Before starting Wegovy, talk to your doctor or one of our prescribing pharmacists about any other medications you may be taking, to make sure it is safe to take without risk of interactions.
Frequently asked questions by our patients:
Do Wegovy side effects get worse with higher doses?
Wegovy side effects can worsen with higher doses in some people. This is why we increase dosage gradually over time, a process called ‘titration’, to give your body time to adjust to the effects of the medication.
As you increase the dosage over time, the risk of some side effects like kidney and gallbladder issues, diabetic eye disease, and GERD (gastro-oesophagal reflux disease) may increase.
What should I eat to reduce nausea from Wegovy?
To avoid nausea, pass on the fried, processed, spicy, and fatty foods and instead go for nutrient-dense unprocessed whole foods like lean meats, pulses, legumes, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Your stomach will thank you!
Can I take Wegovy if I have diabetes?
Yes, some people with weight-related conditions like prediabetes or type 2 diabetes can take Wegovy.
Do Wegovy side effects happen every day?
No, in most cases Wegovy side effects will not occur every day. Most go away in a few days or weeks after starting the medication.
If you’re experiencing side effects often and they do not go away, talk to your prescriber.
Can Wegovy cause fatigue or low energy?
Yes, Wegovy can cause fatigue in some people. To stay energised throughout the day, we recommend you stick to a sleep schedule, maintain good sleep hygiene, stay well hydrated, and eat a balanced, healthy diet.
Are night sweats a side effect of Wegovy?
Some people report night sweats while taking Wegovy, but clinical trials and larger scale studies have not shown night sweats to be a side effect.
However, cold sweats can be a sign of low blood sugar, so talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this side effect.
Can I drink coffee while on Wegovy?
Yes, you can drink coffee while taking Wegovy. However, we recommend drinking coffee in moderation as it can worsen side effects like nausea, indigestion, diarrhoea, and acid reflux in some people.
Is constipation more common than diarrhoea with Wegovy?
Diarrhoea is slightly more common, with around 31% of people reporting diarrhoea and around 23% reporting constipation.
What is the difference between mild and serious side effects?
Mild side effects like digestive issues and headaches tend to be short-lived and treatable with everyday medicines like antacids or painkillers, and do not pose serious health risks.
Severe side effects like severe allergic reactions, pancreatitis, and thyroid tumours can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
Should I stop taking Wegovy if I have side effects?
No, not necessarily. Common side effects tend to be mild and will go away as your body adjusts to the medication.
But it is important to understand the side effects so you can tell if they are serious and whether you can manage them yourself or if you need to seek help.
Do Wegovy side effects go away after stopping treatment?
Yes, most Wegovy side effects will go away within a few weeks of stopping treatment.
Some side effects, like hair loss, may take longer to resolve.
Can Wegovy cause anxiety or mood changes?
Some people have reported mood changes when taking Wegovy, but current research shows this number to very low, around 1%.
What is the best time of day to take Wegovy to avoid side effects?
You can take Wegovy at any time of day. The time of day at which you inject yourself will not influence whether you experience side effects.
However, we recommend you take it on the same day each week.
Can I exercise while dealing with Wegovy side effects?
Yes, absolutely. We strongly recommend exercise as part of your weight loss plan.
If you’re having side effects like dizziness, though, it is a good idea to wait until you feel better before lacing up those running shoes — and remember to stay well-hydrated!
Will drinking more water help with Wegovy side effects?
Yes, drinking plenty of water can help reduce symptoms like fatigue, indigestion, acid reflux, headaches, and constipation.
It is also essential to replace lost fluids if you experience diarrhoea and vomiting, so drink up!
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