Ozempic (semaglutide) is a popular medication used to manage type 2 diabetes and weight loss. It works by lowering your blood sugar, affecting your appetite, and slowing down digestion. A common, typically manageable side effect of Ozempic is constipation.
There are several ways to prevent or manage Ozempic-related constipation, such as:
Eating enough fiber can help prevent or treat constipation. Foods that are high in fiber include whole grains, nut butters, green leafy vegetables, and berries. It’s important to increase your fiber intake gradually, as too much fiber can lead to digestive side effects like gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
Drinking enough water is important for your health in many ways. The National Academy of Medicine recommends 15.5 cups (3.4 liters) of water a day for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) a day for women. These recommendations may differ based on your activity level, diet, location, and medical history.
Engaging in regular physical activity helps your digestive system keep food moving through your gut regularly.
Try to have a bowel movement at the same time each day to get your gut and bowels into a healthy routine.
A nutritious, balanced diet can help treat or prevent the development of constipation. It may also be useful to keep a food diary to see if there are any patterns in your diet that could be causing constipation.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available to help treat or prevent constipation. This includes laxatives and stool softeners like Miralax (polyethylene glycol), Ducolax (bisacodyl), Senna (sennosides), and Colace (docusate sodium). Speak with a healthcare provider to decide which option may be best for you.
When taking Ozempic, constipation can occur for many different reasons. Possible causes include slower stomach emptying, dehydration, and more.
- Slower stomach emptying: Ozempic belongs to a drug class called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 agonists slow down digestion and how fast your stomach empties. This is why you may feel fuller for longer while taking Ozempic. Slower stomach emptying leads to side effects like nausea, bloating, and constipation.
- Dehydration: If you are eating less because you do not feel hungry, you may also be drinking less water. Dehydration can cause hard stools (poop) and difficulty passing stool. Experiencing other side effects from Ozempic, like vomiting, can also lead to dehydration and constipation.
- Lower appetite or eating less food: Ozempic slows your stomach emptying, making you feel full. This likely means you may have less of an appetite and will be eating less than usual. Changes in your routine and the foods that you eat can lead to constipation. When you eat less, your body does not have much material to form stool. This will make the stool that you do have small and hard. Not eating enough of certain foods can also lead to constipation. For example, removing consistent fiber from your diet will likely cause pain and difficulty in having a bowel movement.
It is estimated that 40-70% of people taking Ozempic will experience one or more gastrointestinal (GI)-related side effects. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are three of the most common GI side effects reported with Ozempic. Constipation is the least common of all GI side effects, occurring in 4-12% of people taking Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications.
Some studies have reported that Ozempic-related constipation is more common in people with overweight or obesity, compared to people with diabetes. However, more research is needed to understand if certain medical conditions affect your risk for constipation.
Constipation is usually noticed within the first 28 days of starting Ozempic. However, it can start anytime within the first 16 weeks (four months) of treatment.
How long someone experiences constipation can vary. For example, one study found that constipation lasted for about 47 days (six weeks) in people taking Ozempic for weight loss. Constipation improved on its own after some time in these patients.
Higher doses of Ozempic may also raise your risk for constipation. Your healthcare provider will likely start you at a low dose to limit your risk for side effects.
If constipation begins to interfere with your daily life, or if you have no relief after trying different treatments, talk with a healthcare provider. They can help you determine the next steps in treatment.
If you begin experiencing any of the following signs and symptoms, seek medical care immediately:
- Severe stomach pain (worse than usual)
- Blood in your poop or rectal bleeding
- Stomach swelling
- Unable to pass gas
- Vomiting, especially if it is a dark color
- Fever
These symptoms may indicate serious injury or illness. It is important to see a healthcare provider to rule out any serious health issues or concerns.
If you are taking Ozempic and concerned about constipation, talk with your healthcare provider. They can help you come up with a plan to either prevent or treat the side effect. Do not stop taking Ozempic if you begin experiencing constipation. Talk with your healthcare provider first to decide what the best plan is for you and your health conditions.
