Key Takeaways
- Some people taking Ozempic may feel fatigued, although this is an uncommon side effect that typically diminishes over time.
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are frequent side effects of Ozempic, but they tend to lessen as your body adjusts to the medication.
- You can increase your energy levels by prioritizing your sleep, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and taking a daily multivitamin.
Ozempic is a weekly injection treatment for people with type 2 diabetes.
It helps maintain blood sugar levels in a healthy range when combined with a balanced diet and exercise.
While a small number of people taking Ozempic during clinical trials experienced fatigue, it was more common to experience abdominal discomfort or nausea.
Most of the time, these side effects diminish as the body adjusts to the medication.
Read on to learn more about Ozempic making you tired, other side effects you may experience, and tips for managing fatigue.
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Does Ozempic Make You Tired?
Like all medications, Ozempic can have various side effects, one of which may be fatigue.
During clinical trials, around 0.4% of participants reported experiencing tiredness while they were taking Ozempic.
This suggests that while fatigue is a possible side effect, it affects a very small percentage of people.
Those who do experience feeling tired may find that the side effect gradually decreases over time as their body adjusts to the medication.
Common Side Effects of Ozempic
Ozempic is a great tool for people with type 2 diabetes who are working to keep their blood sugar stable.
To help minimize side effects, your doctor will start you on a smaller dose and gradually work you up to the target dose.
This schedule allows your body time to adjust to the medication.
Here's what a typical schedule looks like:
- Weeks 1–4, take weekly dose of 0.25 mg
- Weeks 5–8, take weekly dose of 0.50 mg
- Weeks 8–12, take weekly dose of 1 mg
If your doctor determines you need more blood sugar control, they may increase your dose to 2mg weekly.
If not, you may stay on the 1 mg weekly dose schedule.
According to results from the clinical trials, 5% or more of the participants experienced these most common side effects:
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Abdominal pain.
- Constipation.
Nausea
It’s not uncommon to feel nausea when you first start taking Ozempic.
The cause of the nausea is unknown but may have to do with how the medication affects the digestive system.
Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist (GLP-1) that works by helping your pancreas release more insulin when blood sugar rises, decreases the amount of sugar your liver releases, and slows down digestion.
These actions may cause you to feel nauseous when you start taking Ozempic.
Here are some strategies that may help ease your discomfort:
- Eat smaller and more frequent meals.
- Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.
- Try sucking on sugar-free hard candy when you feel nauseous.
- Avoid eating high-fat foods or fried foods.
- Get enough sleep.
If your nausea isn’t getting better and you are constantly feeling sick or vomiting, it’s a good idea to let your doctor know.
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Diarrhea and Constipation
Diarrhea, as well as constipation, are other common side effects when starting Ozempic.
While these symptoms can be bothersome, they should improve over time.
If you find yourself having changes in your bowel movements, try these tips:
- Eat fiber at each meal.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Stay physically active throughout the day.
Your bowel movements should become regular again.
However, if you continue to have problems, let your doctor know.
Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, as healthcare providers call it, can happen when you are taking Ozempic.
Ozempic works in your body to help regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin when blood sugar rises and decreasing sugar release from the liver.
When starting Ozempic, you may need to monitor your blood sugar closely to learn how your body responds to the medication.
Talk to your doctor about how often you should test your blood sugar, and remember to eat regularly to decrease the risk of low blood sugar levels.
Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar:
- Feeling shaky or jittery.
- Hunger.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or irritability.
- Fatigue.
- Fast or irregular heartbeat.
- Headache.
- Difficulty speaking clearly.
Fatigue and Drowsiness
Around 0.4% of people who take Ozempic may feel more tired or drowsy.
Some people also reported feeling dizzy.
Doctors don’t know what causes people to feel this way when taking Ozempic.
They do know that low blood sugar can make people feel tired, which may be a contributing factor.
If you’re feeling tired, know that this symptom should resolve itself as your body gets used to the medication.
If it continues and is interfering with your daily activities, it’s a good idea to tell your doctor.
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Factors That May Contribute to Feeling Tired on Ozempic
Although experts have not pinpointed the exact cause of feeling tired on Ozempic, several factors may contribute to this side effect.
When you start a new medication, your body adjusts as it gets used to the new drug.
This is especially true with Ozempic, which helps manage blood sugar, as changes to blood sugar can directly impact your energy level.
Some of the other side effects of Ozempic, such as nausea or abdominal discomfort, may also cause fatigue.
These side effects, as well as the appetite suppression the medication causes, may decrease your nutritional intake, which may cause you to feel tired.
Tips for Managing Tiredness and Fatigue
Here are several tips that may help you feel less tired while taking Ozempic.
1. Prioritize Quality Sleep
To help you feel less tired, prioritize getting plenty of high-quality sleep at night.
Establishing a consistent sleep routine may help improve your sleep quality and, thus, your energy levels throughout the day.
Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Allow yourself seven to nine hours of sleep per night.
Getting exercise during the day can also help you sleep better at night.
Make your room a restful environment that is free of distractions such as electronics.
Before bed, do relaxing activities such as reading, meditating, or stretching to help your body relax.
2. Stay Hydrated
Being dehydrated can cause you to feel sluggish and tired.
Be sure you are drinking enough throughout the day.
How much water you need depends on your age and activity level.
Experts generally recommend women drink about nine cups of water daily and men drink around 13 cups.
Drinking water is important for preventing dehydration, but you can also stay hydrated by drinking broths, sugar-free sports drinks, and other caffeine-free beverages.
3. Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise is great for your overall health, boosting your energy, and helping you sleep well at night.
Experts recommend getting about 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week and doing muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week.
Choose activities that are fun for you and that you can do with others.
Moderate physical activities include:
- Brisk walking.
- Water aerobics.
- Playing tennis.
- Riding a bike.
- Pushing a lawn mower.
4. Explore Alternative Medication (If Needed)
If you’re still feeling tired despite making lifestyle changes and you’ve been on the medication for several weeks, it may be worth discussing other medication options with your doctor.
Adjusting the dose or switching to another medication can eliminate side effects like fatigue.
However, it’s always important to make medication changes under the guidance of your doctor to ensure your safety and continued management of your health.
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5. Take a Daily Multivitamin
Sometimes, when people eat less, their diet may lack essential vitamins and minerals.
This may lead to you feeling more tired.
Consider taking a multivitamin to ensure your body gets the vital nutrients.
Talking with a registered dietitian can help you determine which vitamins and minerals would be good to supplement.
Takeaway
While not very common, a small percentage of people feel tired when they start taking Ozempic.
More common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain.
Typically, these side effects go away as you adjust to the new medication.
Several lifestyle changes, including sleeping more and staying hydrated, can help manage side effects.
If feelings of fatigue persist, you may need to talk with your doctor about changing the dose or trying a new medication.
How a Dietitian Can Help
If you’re feeling tired as a result of taking Ozempic, a dietitian can offer individualized advice in several areas.
They can help you develop a personalized eating plan that may boost your energy, and discuss ways to stay hydrated.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The most common side effect people experience when starting Ozempic is nausea.
Other common side effects include vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.
While very rare, Ozempic does make a small percentage of users tired.
However, there were no reports during clinical trials of Ozempic making people feel depressed.
At first, you may get some side effects that affect your digestive system, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
However, side effects typically go away as your body adjusts to the new drug. After that, you may feel more healthy overall as your blood sugar stays stable.
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