Does Ozempic make you tired?

Ozempic and fatigue

While Ozempic is effective at treating type 2 diabetes and supporting weight loss, it can also come with side effects. Fatigue is one that some people notice, so if you’ve been feeling tired or run down after starting Ozempic, you’re not alone.

Does Ozempic make you tired? It’s possible to experience fatigue while on Ozempic, but it’s not common — and if it does happen, it may be temporary or related to other factors.

If you want to know more about Ozempic fatigue, you’re in the right place. Ahead, we’ll discuss why you could feel tired while taking Ozempic, how long Ozempic tiredness may last, and steps you can take to reduce fatigue and get your energy levels up.

Reviewed by Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA

What is Ozempic?

Before we jump into our discussion of Ozempic fatigue, let’s touch on what exactly Ozempic is and what it does in the body.

Ozempic is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used along with diet and exercise to help manage blood sugar (glucose) in people with type 2 diabetes.

It’s also approved to lower the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke in folks with type 2 diabetes who also have cardiovascular disease.

The active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide, a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist.

GLP-1 drugs have several effects on the body, including:

• Stimulating the secretion of insulin, which works to lower blood sugar

• Reducing the secretion of glucagon, a hormone that can raise blood sugar

• Reducing appetite by slowing gastric emptying (how quickly food moves through the stomach) and acting on receptors in the brain to help you feel full

• Boosting the growth of beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin

Although Ozempic is technically a diabetes medication, it’s often prescribed off-label as a weight loss drug. Off-label use means a licensed healthcare provider prescribes a medication to treat something it’s not FDA-approved for.

There’s another semaglutide injection, sold under the brand name Wegovy. Wegovy is FDA-approved specifically for weight management in people with obesity or an overweight BMI (body mass index) with certain weight-related medical conditions. In clinical trials, participants lost up to 20 percent of their body weight after 68 weeks of treatment with Wegovy.

Both Ozempic and Wegovy are produced by the pharmaceutical manufacturer Novo Nordisk.

Does Ozempic cause fatigue?

And if so, why does Ozempic make you tired? You can absolutely start to feel tired while taking Ozempic. However, feelings of fatigue are actually a pretty rare side effect of Ozempic — at least in terms of reported side effects.

Fatigue isn’t listed as one of the common side effects of Ozempic. According to its prescribing information, 0.4 percent or more of participants reported experiencing fatigue in clinical trials.

Though clinical trials reported a low rate of fatigue with Ozempic — just 0.4 percent — real-world experiences can vary. It’s entirely possible that more people feel tired on semaglutide than the data suggests.

It’s also worth noting that fatigue is actually listed as a common side effect of Wegovy, which uses a higher dose of semaglutide than Ozempic. If you’re taking Wegovy and feeling unusually tired, check out our in-depth guide to Wegovy and fatigue.

Why does Ozempic make you tired?

We don’t really know why exactly people feel tired while taking Ozempic, though there are several possible explanations to consider. Let’s go over these now.

Ozempic fatigue from reduce calorie intake

Ozempic lowers your appetite. It does this by acting on receptors in the brain that control satiety (fullness) and by slowing the emptying of the stomach.

Since your appetite is lower, you might also consume fewer calories than you typically do. Calories are essentially a measure of how much energy a food or drink provides your body.

While a lower-calorie food intake can help with weight loss, it can also impact energy levels. This means you may feel more tired or fatigued after you start Ozempic.

As Craig Primack, MD, Senior Vice President of Weight Loss at Hims & Hers, notes, “Our bodies are built for survival and adapt well to both abundance and famine. When you first start to cut back calories, it takes time for your body to adapt to the decreased intake of calories.“

So, as you adapt, it’s possible to feel more tired for a while. Dr. Primack says it can take a few days to a few weeks for your body to adjust to this change.

Semaglutide fatigue from lower blood sugar

Ozempic is, first and foremost, a diabetes medication. One of its many effects is lowering blood sugar levels.

When you start taking Ozempic, your blood sugar levels may become lower than you’re used to.

Mild to moderate low blood sugar can make you feel tired. That’s because glucose is what the cells in your body use for energy. If your blood glucose levels are low, your cells won’t have enough energy to work with.

Research has generally found that the risk of low blood sugar while taking semaglutide is low. However, the risk is higher if you also take other diabetes medications like sulfonylurea drugs or insulin. So that’s something to keep in mind.

Ozempic tiredness from other side effects

It’s also possible that other, more common Ozempic side effects are contributing indirectly to your tiredness. For example, gastrointestinal side effects — like vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation — can be common during the first few days of taking the medication or while your body adjusts to a dosage increase.

These side effects can be hard on your body and lead to things like dehydration. One symptom of dehydration is fatigue.

Severe dehydration is considered a medical emergency. So be aware of the symptoms, and make sure you’re drinking plenty of water on Ozempic.

Semaglutide tiredness due to other underlying conditions

It’s possible your fatigue isn’t actually caused by the direct or indirect effects of taking Ozempic. It could be due to another health condition.

For instance, fatigue is common among those living with depression.

Other underlying conditions that may lead to fatigue include overactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), obstructive sleep apnea, and anemia (low levels of healthy red blood cells).

How long does Ozempic fatigue last?

There’s no firm answer on how long Ozempic fatigue lasts. What we do know is that your body needs time to adjust to the drug.

To help your body out with this adjustment, the dose of Ozempic you receive will gradually increase over time. This is called dose escalation.

You’ll likely start taking Ozempic at a weekly dose of 0.25 milligrams (mg). After four weeks, your weekly dose will probably go up to 0.5 milligrams.

Your weekly dose of Ozempic can be increased two more times at four-week intervals, reaching a maximum dose of 2 milligrams. After that, you’ll continue taking 2 milligrams of Ozempic each week going forward. This is called a maintenance dose.

We know that Ozempic side effects, particularly the digestive ones, tend to be the worst during the dose-escalation phase of Ozempic treatment. When the maintenance dose is reached, they typically resolve.

If you’re feeling tired when you start taking Ozempic, there’s a good chance your fatigue will improve after your body adjusts to the medication. Having said that, there are absolutely things you can do to reduce Ozempic fatigue. Let’s look at these next.

What can you do to reduce Ozempic fatigue?

To reduce Ozempic fatigue, try:

• Getting enough sleep

• Moving your body more

• Adjusting your diet

• Lowering your stress levels

• Staying hydrated

Get more detailed guidance below.

Get enough sleep

Good sleep quality plays a crucial role in overall health and wellness. What’s more, not getting enough sleep can contribute to fatigue and mess with your weight loss efforts.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), most adults should aim to get seven or more hours of sleep each night.

If you want better sleep, here’s what you can try:

• Go to bed and get up at the same time each day.

• Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and at a cool, comfortable temperature.

• Switch off electronic devices at least an hour or more before bedtime.

• Avoid having caffeine later in the day.

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.

• Don’t eat large meals or drink alcohol before bed.

• Get regular exercise.

Check out our guide on how to sleep better for more tips and ideas.

Get moving

Ozempic is supposed to be used in conjunction with physical activity. Though it may seem counterintuitive, engaging in regular exercise can actually help fight fatigue.

A 2022 meta-analysis found that exercise:

• Had a small effect on lowering fatigue

• Boosted energy by a small-to-moderate amount

• Promoted a moderate feeling of vitality

Unsure how to get started on a new workout routine? Talk to your healthcare provider about what types of exercise might work for your unique goals and health needs.

Adjust your diet

As with exercise, Ozempic is FDA-approved to be used along with healthy eating. When you eat healthier, you can generally expect to feel better — and less tired.

But what exactly is a healthy diet? According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a healthy diet:

• Focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or nonfat dairy

• Aims to include healthier sources of protein, such as lean cuts of meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, nuts, and beans

• Avoids excess added sugars, salt, and trans or saturated fats

• Uses appropriate portion sizes

If you find you’re less hungry throughout the day, consider eating smaller meals or snacks more often to give your body some energy to work with. This is also a good strategy if you find Ozempic makes you nauseous.

Does Ozempic give you energy? The drug itself may not, but losing weight and eating healthier might make you feel more energized.

Lower your stress levels

Fatigue and stress are linked. Because of this, it’s important to find ways to lower your stress levels. Some things to try include yoga, meditation, deep breathing, spending time outdoors, or tai chi.

Sometimes, just doing things you enjoy can wash away stress. For instance, enjoyable activities like spending quality time with friends, hitting the gym, cleaning up your sleep hygiene, or curling up with a book might be just what the doctor ordered for stress relief.

Prioritize hydration

Ozempic can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, which can make your body lose water fast. This can lead to dehydration and fatigue.

That’s one reason it’s vital to drink plenty of water while taking Ozempic.

If you’re feeling nauseous, taking small sips of water may be easier than taking big gulps or chugging water.

What are the common side effects of Ozempic?

As mentioned, fatigue isn’t really a common side effect of Ozempic. The most common potential side effects associated with Ozempic impact the digestive system.

According to the prescribing information for Ozempic, the most common side effects are:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Constipation

Does semaglutide make you tired? It might. But again, Ozempic tiredness isn’t a widely reported side effect from clinical trials.

Does Semaglutide cause fatigue? The bottom line on Ozempic tiredness

Here are the main takeaways for semaglutide and fatigue:

• Can semaglutide make you tired? It’s certainly possible to feel extra tired while taking Ozempic due to reduced food intake or lower blood sugar.

• Does Ozempic fatigue go away? Drowsiness and some of the more prominent side effects of the medication may subside over time as your body adjusts. But it’s different for everyone.

• If tiredness or other side effects are severe, consult your provider. If you experience fatigue or other side effects while on Ozempic that are severe, persistent, or interfere with day-to-day activities, seek medical advice from your healthcare provider.

• Other options are available. If your side effects are very disruptive, your provider may suggest adjusting your weekly dose of Ozempic. Another possibility is to switch to a different medication. Many Ozempic alternatives are available, and your healthcare provider is there to help.

Remember, your healthcare provider is there to support you on your weight loss journey. They may be able to adjust your treatment plan or recommend more personalized strategies to help alleviate your side effects.

Does Mounjaro make you tired? What about Wegovy? Our guides to Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy can shed light on other GLP-1s and sleepiness.

• Related: How Much Does Ozempic Cost? Ozempic Price Breakdown

• Related: 6 Compounded Semaglutide Before and After Stories You Need To Hear

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This article originally appeared on ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.