{"id":630028,"date":"2024-10-11T09:30:42","date_gmt":"2024-10-11T13:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630028"},"modified":"2025-05-20T14:15:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T18:15:40","slug":"ozempic-constipation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ozempic-constipation\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do about Ozempic constipation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ozempic (active ingredient semaglutide)<\/span><\/a> is a prescription medication manufactured by Novo Nordisk that is FDA approved to improve glycemic control in adults with <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s also commonly prescribed off-label as a weight loss drug. Like Wegovy and Trulicity, Ozempic belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, or GLP-1 receptor agonists. <\/span>These medications reduce blood sugar levels and can<\/span> assist with weight management<\/span><\/a> by regulating food intake and slowing gastric emptying.<\/span><\/p>\n

While it\u2019s common to have a decreased appetite on Ozempic, that\u2019s not the only side effect you may experience. For example, Ozempic can cause constipation, changes in bowel movements, bloating, and stomach pain. If using Ozempic makes it hard to \u201cgo,\u201d check out these expert tips to get things moving.<\/span><\/p>\n

Does Ozempic cause constipation?<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to <\/span>placebo-controlled clinical trials<\/span>, about 26% to 32% of individuals treated with Ozempic experienced gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation. Most of these symptoms increased with higher doses of Ozempic\u2014except for constipation. Among patients taking a 0.5 mg dose of Ozempic, 5% reported constipation versus 3.1% of those taking a 1.0 mg dose.<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>research review<\/span><\/a> found that constipation may occur in up to 13.0% of those taking Ozempic. What\u2019s more, the symptom may be more common among those taking the drug for off-label uses not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to <\/span>Jonathan Kaplan, MD<\/span><\/a>, a board-certified plastic surgeon and GLP-1 expert at Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, <\/span>while constipation is not the most common side effect of Ozempic, <\/span>some patients may experience less frequent bowel movements than usual while on the medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long does Ozempic constipation last? That depends on how long it takes for your body to adjust to the medication, says <\/span>Carmen Fong, MD<\/span><\/a>, a double board-certified general and colorectal surgeon and author of <\/span>Constipation Nation<\/span><\/i>. While constipation generally resolves in as little as a few days or up to <\/span>six weeks<\/span><\/a>, Dr. Fong notes that in some of her patients, constipation has lasted for months (usually worsened or prolonged by poor eating habits).<\/span><\/p>\n

Rare, but serious side effects include:<\/span><\/p>\n