Does Semaglutide Make You Tired? Understanding Ozempic Fatigue

Semaglutide is known for promoting weight loss and lowering blood sugar levels. But many people notice that they feel more tired than usual after starting semaglutide. This raises an important question: Does semaglutide make you tired? And if it does, is it normal? What can you do about it?

Fatigue, or feeling tired all the time, is a common side effect, and many people wonder if it’s something to be worried about. They want to know if others are experiencing the same thing and how to handle it if it happens to them.

In this post, we’re going to dive into these questions.

What Is Semaglutide and How Does It Work?

Semaglutide is an injectable medication that belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonists class. As of now, the FDA approved three brand-name diabetes and weight loss medications that contain semaglutide: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.

Semaglutide works by mimicking a human hormone that helps balance blood sugar levels, insulin release, and appetite.

Lowering Blood Glucose Levels and Weight Loss

One of the main jobs of semaglutide is to lower sugar in the blood and balance insulin secretion, so semaglutide injections are prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes. Keeping sugar levels in check is crucial to avoid serious health problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even kidney issues.

Semaglutide is also extremely popular for helping people lose weight, so doctors also prescribe it to people with obesity who need help with weight management. Semaglutide acts by decreasing appetite, making you feel fuller with small meals. This leads to reduced calorie intake. This can be helpful for anyone on a weight loss journey trying to achieve a healthy weight.

Clinical trials show that if you take semaglutide for 68 weeks, you may lose up to 15-20% of your body weight.

But as your body adjusts to the medication, you might notice a drop in your energy levels, which could explain why you experience fatigue.

Common Side Effects of Semaglutide

Like any medication, semaglutide has side effects. The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, upset stomach and constipation.

But one side effect that isn’t talked about as much is fatigue (sometimes called Ozempic fatigue). If you’re experiencing fatigue while taking Ozempic (semaglutide), you’re not alone.

Why Does Semaglutide Make You Tired?

So, why does semaglutide make you feel tired? There are a few reasons this might happen.

Changing Blood Sugar Levels

Semaglutide helps lower blood sugar, but sometimes it can drop too low, leading to symptoms of low blood sugar like dizziness, weakness, and tiredness. It’s really important to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels, especially when you first start taking semaglutide.

When Your Body Adjusts to the Medication

When you first start taking semaglutide, your body needs time to get used to it. This adjustment period usually causes temporary changes in how you feel.

During the first few weeks, it’s pretty common to feel more tired than usual as your body adapts to the medication. The good news is that this usually gets better after a while.

Eating Less Food

Semaglutide makes you feel fuller faster, which is great for weight loss, but it also means you’re eating less.

If your calorie intake drops too much, you might have less energy, leaving you tired. It’s important to make sure you’re still getting enough nutrients to keep your energy levels up.

Other Side Effects That Can Make You Tired

Other side effects, like nausea, stomach pain, or changes in how often you go to the bathroom, such as changes in bowel habits, can also make you feel tired. If you’re dealing with a few of these issues at the same time, it can really wear you out.

How to Manage Fatigue While Taking Semaglutide

If semaglutide is making you tired, there are some things you can do to feel better and manage this side effect.

Keep an Eye on Your Blood Glucose

Check your blood sugar levels regularly. If your sugar is dropping too low, that could be why you’re feeling tired. Sometimes, small adjustments like eating more frequent, smaller meals can make a big difference.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is important for your overall health and can help you feel less tired. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you’re also dealing with other side effects like nausea or vomiting.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Include lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your food intake to ensure you’re getting enough nutrients. This will help you keep your energy levels up and avoid feeling overly tired.

Regular Exercise

It might seem strange, but getting regular physical activity can actually help you feel more energized. Start slowly, especially if you’re feeling really tired, and gradually build up your activity level.

Get Enough Sleep

Poor sleep quality can make you feel even more tired during the day. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night and try to stick to a consistent sleep schedule.

Do You Need to Speak To A Doctor?

While fatigue can be a normal side effect of semaglutide, in some cases, you might need to seek immediate medical attention.

If your fatigue is really bad, doesn’t go away, or comes with other symptoms like dizziness, confusion, or a fast heartbeat, you should talk to your healthcare provider right away. These could be signs of something more serious, like acute kidney injury or other medical conditions that need to be checked out.

Also, if you notice any signs of acute pancreatitis (like severe stomach pain) or serious allergic reactions (like a rash or trouble breathing), you should get medical help immediately.

Conclusion: Is It Normal to Feel Tired When Taking Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a game-changing medication that can help you achieve your health goals, such as weight management or diabetes treatment. But it also can make you tired, especially when you first start taking semaglutide. This tiredness is usually linked to changes in blood glucose levels, your body adjusting to the medication, and eating less.

While it can be frustrating, there are ways to manage fatigue. These include monitoring your blood glucose and staying hydrated, as well as lifestyle changes like eating healthy, exercising, and getting quality sleep.

The good news is that your energy will increase with time as your body adjusts to the medication.