Does Wegovy cause headaches? Here’s what we know

In this article:

• Does Wegovy cause headaches?
• Why may Wegovy cause headaches?
• When are Wegovy headaches most likely to occur?
• How long do Wegovy headaches last?
• Other Wegovy side effects
• How to manage headaches and other Wegovy side effects
• Wegovy alternatives

In this article

• Does Wegovy cause headaches?
• Why may Wegovy cause headaches?
• When are Wegovy headaches most likely to occur?
• How long do Wegovy headaches last?
• Other Wegovy side effects
• How to manage headaches and other Wegovy side effects
• Wegovy alternatives

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a brand-name prescription drug known as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Intended to be used in conjunction with diet and physical activity, Wegovy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for long-term weight loss and weight management in adults and children ages 12 years and older with obesity, and in adults with a higher body weight who have at least one weight-related medical condition, like high blood pressure. Wegovy injections are also approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in adults who are overweight. In August 2025, Wegovy was also FDA approved to treat certain patients with a type of liver disease called MASH. Although Wegovy is an effective weight loss drug, it carries a risk of potential side effects. 

Does Wegovy cause headaches?

Wegovy and other GLP-1s are most commonly known for their gastrointestinal side effects, but Wegovy can also cause headaches in some people. 

During clinical trials, 14% of adult patients and 17% of pediatric patients ages 12 and older experienced headaches while taking Wegovy. In contrast, 10% of adults and 16% of pediatric patients reported headaches while taking a placebo (inactive treatment). These are relatively low percentages for headaches compared to other Wegovy side effects. For example, 24% of adults taking Wegovy reported vomiting as a side effect, compared to 6% of those who took a placebo.

Why may Wegovy cause headaches?

Researchers aren’t sure why Wegovy causes headaches, mostly because this side effect hasn’t been studied extensively in relation to Wegovy. However, the current theory is that Wegovy does not directly cause headaches. Instead, some people may get headaches by not eating or drinking enough while taking Wegovy. 

“Headaches associated with Wegovy are most commonly caused by dehydration,” says Wiljon Beltre, MD, a board-certified bariatric and metabolic surgeon at Beltre Bariatrics. “While low blood sugar levels can also contribute, dehydration is the primary culprit in most cases.”

Jennifer Warren, MD, a physician who’s board-certified in obesity medicine, agrees with Dr. Beltre. “GLP-1 medications can decrease thirst as well as hunger, so people may forget to drink water often enough. Patients may also forget to eat balanced meals and snacks throughout the day.” Dr. Warren says side effects like nausea and diarrhea can also worsen dehydration and lead to headaches, and that hormones may play a role as the body adjusts to the GLP-1.

When are Wegovy headaches most likely to occur?

According to Dr. Warren and Dr. Beltre, people tend to get headaches from Wegovy during the first few weeks of treatment. Some also notice headaches after increasing the weekly dose. 

How long do Wegovy headaches last?

Wegovy headaches are different for everyone. “There are some people who describe a brief, mild pain that lasts a couple of hours, while others report a longer or more intense pain,” Dr. Warren says. These headaches can be dull or throbbing, but the pain doesn’t mimic a migraine.

According to Dr. Beltre, Wegovy headaches are “nagging rather than debilitating” and tend to go away in a few hours. His patients describe the headaches as a dull, constant pain across the forehead rather than one-sided, pulsating pain.

Fortunately, Wegovy headaches tend to go away once your body adjusts to the medication. They may last longer if you don’t drink enough water. 

Other Wegovy side effects

According to clinical trial data, headaches were the sixth most common Wegovy side effect among adults and the fourth most common side effect among pediatric patients ages 12 years and older. Both age groups were more likely to experience various gastrointestinal side effects than headaches. 

In addition to headaches, common Wegovy side effects include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation 
• Abdominal pain
• Common cold 
• Stomach flu
• Dizziness
• Fatigue 
• Indigestion 
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in people with Type 2 diabetes 

How to manage headaches and other Wegovy side effects

The best way to prevent a Wegovy headache is by drinking plenty of water and eating small, nutritious meals throughout the day. This can be tough to do if you’re also experiencing nausea or vomiting as side effects of Wegovy. Over-the-counter (OTC) nausea remedies can help with mild cases of nausea and vomiting, but if you can’t keep water down or you’re experiencing severe diarrhea, talk to your healthcare provider right away. Dehydration can happen quickly.  

“I advise patients to consume around 3 liters [about 12 cups] of water throughout the day, start with a good breakfast, eat at regular intervals throughout the day, and avoid fried or greasy food, which can worsen nausea and diarrhea,” Dr. Warren says. 

Getting plenty of sleep, minimizing stress, and limiting caffeine and alcohol may also help prevent headaches. 

When a Wegovy headache strikes, an OTC pain reliever should suffice. Drink it with plenty of water to combat any underlying dehydration and to help your body absorb and process the medication. If you’re not sure what OTC pain medicine is best for you to take, consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist for medical advice. 

Tell your healthcare provider if the headaches become severe, start to interfere with your ability to take care of yourself or your family, or last longer than a few weeks. Fortunately, these reactions are rare. Most of Dr. Warren’s patients are able to manage Wegovy headaches without having to stop the medication.

Headaches can sometimes be signs of a medical emergency. “Seek immediate emergency medical attention if you have symptoms such as a sudden severe headache, confusion, seizure, trouble with speech or vision, numbness or weakness, fainting, personality change, fever, a stiff neck, or a headache after exercise or after a head injury,” Dr. Warren says.

Wegovy alternatives 

If Wegovy gives you intolerable headaches, talk to your healthcare provider about other options. 

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a popular Wegovy alternative because it’s in a similar drug class (GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist) but isn’t associated with headaches. Studies show Zepbound is more effective for weight loss than Wegovy. Although it’s not currently FDA-approved to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (like heart failure or stroke), a 2024 study suggests it may protect the heart similarly to Wegovy.

Some GLP-1 receptor agonists, like Saxenda (liraglutide), have about the same risk of headaches as Wegovy, but that doesn’t mean you’ll experience headaches with both. “Patients may find one more tolerable than another,” Dr. Warren says.

Other Wegovy alternatives for weight loss include:

• Contrave (naltrexone and bupropion)
• Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release)
• Adipex-P (phentermine)
• Xenical (orlistat)

A healthcare professional can help you select the best choice. 

Bottom line

It’s not in your head—Wegovy does cause headaches in some people. They tend to be mild, respond well to OTC pain relievers, and typically go away a few weeks after starting the first dose of Wegovy. Staying hydrated and eating small meals throughout the day can help prevent Wegovy headaches, but you should talk to your healthcare provider if you have uncontrollable nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, or if the headaches interfere with your daily life.