What is Ozempic Burps?
A non-scale victory is a weight loss win that isn’t necessarily measured by the scale. For example, the number on the scale may not have changed but you can tell that you’ve gone down a size in clothes or your waist measurements are smaller.
While it’s essential to keep track of your weight during your weight loss journey, it’s important to understand that the number on the scale isn’t the only way to see your progress. When you acknowledge your progress in other areas, you’ll be able to stay motivated and on top of things.
There are many types of NSV’s that are worth celebrating. Even if you think these are small victories, you need to recognize them and be proud of yourself for reaching them.
What is Ozempic?
Ozempic is the brand name of the generic drug semaglutide. It belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist drug class, which is used to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes. The FDA approved Ozempic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and also, to limit heart attacks and stroke among patients suffering from heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
However, Ozempic can be used off-label to treat obesity and overweight alongside a healthy diet and a regular exercise regimen. In the clinical trials of Ozempic, 32% of participants lost up to 20% of their body weight, while 50.5% reported 15% of body weight reduction. These participants used Ozempic for a continuous 68-week period.
Other common generic names of GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs prescribed by healthcare professionals include the following;
• Dulaglutide
• Liraglutide
• Exenatide BID
How is Ozempic prescribed and administered?
For Ozempic to work for you, it’s injected into the body subcutaneously once weekly. You can do this on your thigh, stomach, or upper arm. Ozempic is administered at dosages of 0.25 mg, 0.50 mg, 1.0 mg, and the maximum dose of 2.0 mg. The 0.25 mg dose is a starter dose meant to accustom your body to the drug. Your doctor may increase your dosages after every 4 weeks depending on your A1C levels. A1C levels are a measure of your average blood sugar levels in the past 3 months.
Ozempic pen injections should last you an entire month. The pens come in different quantities depending on your dosage level. If you’re on the 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg dose level, go for the 2 mg/1.5 ml Ozempic pen. The 1.0 mg dose patients can use the 4 mg/3 ml pen, while the 2.0 mg dose patients use the 8 mg/ 3 ml Ozempic pen.
Each pen injectable has a complete set of NovoFine Plus needles to use in each application of the drug. You’re advised to inject yourself at different sites of the same region to avoid skin reactions and allergies.
How does Ozempic work?
Ozempic works by mimicking the functions of a natural body hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide- 1). When you eat the hormone is produced and is responsible for preparing your body to use the energy that comes from food. Semaglutide is essential in the management of type 2 diabetes since, people suffering from it lack the GLP-1 hormone, essential in the production of insulin. Semaglutide induces the production of insulin, which helps in the production of blood glucose (energy) from food.
Ozempic also promotes weight loss by enhancing the feeling of satiety, resulting in less food intake. This is because it slows down the movement of food in the stomach, making you feel full for a long time. It also has a direct impact on the activities of the hypothalamus, thus contributing to the satiety feeling. Ozempic improves your heart functions, therefore minimizing the chances of a cardiovascular event like stroke or heart attack. As much as the benefits of Ozempic are great for people suffering from type 2 diabetes and obesity, its side effects don’t go unnoticed- especially the Ozempic burps.
What are Ozempic burps?
Burps are a common thing, especially after eating. You might have experienced them when full, but what happens when they come out with a foul smell of rotten eggs? That’s how Ozempic burps are- they’re full of a foul smell of rotten eggs. Almost 3% of participants in a clinical trial reported this phenomenon as a potential side effect of using Ozempic. Scientists have even gone ahead to give these burps a fancy name – eructation. Perhaps in an attempt to disguise the foul smell. In some circles, these burps are referred to as flatulence (gas).
What causes Ozempic Burps?
Scientists attribute Ozempic burps to the nature of how semaglutide works. Under normal circumstances, it’s natural to have burps due to the digestive process in our stomachs. However, when you’re on an Ozempic medication, the digestive process in your stomach is slowed down leading to a buildup of gas in the stomach. Eventually, the gas escapes through your mouth as a burp or it travels down the digestive tract as flatulence. You should note that the foul smell is hydrogen sulfide gas, which is formed during digestion. Although Ozempic can cause foul-smelling and tasting burps, other factors may lead to the production of hydrogen sulfide burps.
They include the following;
• Certain foods like broccoli, dairy products, garlic, milk, cauliflower, and beer
• Bacterial infections such as H. pylori
• Stress
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Acid reflux
So, if you notice persistence in hydrogen sulfide burps, contact your doctor for a checkup. They may advocate for a dietary change or an over-the-counter medication.
How to treat Ozempic Burps
Ozempic burps are common within the first few weeks of starting the medication. Also, you might notice them when you increase your dosage of Ozempic. But, they might not last for long. It may take your body around 4 weeks to accustom to the drug, and once it does, the burps may be a thing of the past.
You can use the following treatment plans if the problem continues;
i. Increase your intake of green tea and herbal teas like peppermint tea. They help in the digestion process and remove toxins that may lead to bad breath.
ii. Taking sufficient water helps to limit harmful bacteria from accessing the stomach, enabling the digestive system to deal with sulfur-rich foods.
iii. Avoid consuming foods that trigger hydrogen sulfide burps.
iv. Avoid mixing alcohol with Ozempic as it contributes to stomach acid reflux, therefore Ozempic burps.
v. Eat small portions of food and avoid dishes with lots of protein. Also, eating slowly helps to reduce Ozempic burps.
vi. Avoid processed foods as they’ve high amounts of preservatives, which stress your digestive system.
vii. Avoid sugary foods as they multiply the bacteria that cause hydrogen sulfide build-ups.
viii. Reduce drinking carbonated drinks, like sodas. They add more gas into the digestive tract resulting in more foul-smelling burps.
ix. Increase your uptake of Manuka honey as its medically-active in killing infectious bacteria like E. coli. The honey also offers a protective lining in the digestive tract and minimizes symptoms of disorders like IBS.
x. You can also consume a spoonful of food-grade baking soda in water. It stabilizes the digestive juices and enzymes, thus reducing the foul smell in burps.
xi. You should also avoid late-night snacking or eating before your sleep. Give your stomach ample time to digest food before heading to bed.
xii. There are also over-the-counter medications that relieve the foul smell of burps. They include anti-gas medications. However, if you use these 12 remedies for treating Ozempic burps and nothing works, contact your gastroenterologist. They’ll help you find the underlying issue causing the foul-smelling burps so that you deal with it.
What happens when you experience Ozempic burps?
You might be compelled to abandon your Ozempic medication due to the foul smell of the burps you’re experiencing. By now, you should know better. Hydrogen sulfide burps aren’t harmful to the body, so don’t shy away from acknowledging them- if you experience them.
The hydrogen sulfide gas is a product of the digestive process and it may come out as a burp or as flatulence. All you need to do is watch what you eat, how you eat it, and when you eat it- this is sufficient to deal with Ozempic burps.
Other Common Side effects of Ozempic
Ozempic has other side effects besides Ozempic burps that might affect you. The common Ozempic side effects include the following;
a) Nausea The clinical trials of Ozempic demonstrate an occurrence of nausea among 20% of people taking the 1 mg weekly dose. You can control nausea when using Ozempic in the following ways;
• Drink a lot of water and eat water-rich foods, for example, soup.
• Eat slowly
• Avoid food with a lot of sugar and fat
• Eat unseasoned food like rice
• Don’t lie down after eating
• Eat small portions of food and stop when you feel full
• Take a walk for some fresh air
b) Vomiting Vomiting is less common than nausea, but it’s more common at higher doses of Ozempic for weight loss. Always rehydrate yourself by drinking lots of water when you vomit while on Ozempic medication.
Also, be on the lookout for severe abdominal pains coming from your back. The pain may come with or without vomiting. This could be a sign of pancreatitis. Therefore, contact your healthcare provider for verification and help.
c) Abdominal pain and constipation Patients experiencing abdominal pain account for 10% of Ozempic users. The symptoms of abdominal pain may include stomach upset or discomfort, stomach pain, stomach swelling, and constipation
Constipation leads to a waste buildup in the colon resulting in abdominal pain. You can deal with abdominal pain by;
• Eating small portions of food
• Eating fiber-rich foods to prevent constipation
• Using a heating pad to relieve some of the abdominal pain If symptoms of abdominal pain persist, contact your medical professional as it may be a sign of pancreatitis.
d) Diarrhea Diarrhea is experienced in almost 9% of the population using Ozempic to treat type 2 diabetes and in 31% of people using semaglutide for weight management. You should combat diarrhea by staying hydrated to avoid cases of dehydration. Also, eat small portions of food that are unseasoned.
e) Dizziness or lightheadedness You may experience dizziness as a secondary symptom of dehydration or low blood sugar. Therefore, it’s crucial to notify your medical care team for assistance. Lightheadedness can be combated by;
• Getting enough rest
• Avoiding substances that may worsen the condition like drugs and coffee
• Staying hydrated with plenty of water
• Eat a snack that has readily available sugars for absorption like biscuits Other common side effects of Ozempic include the following;
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Acid reflux
You should remember that common side effects of Ozempic may last for a short period- around four to five weeks. Once your body is accustomed to Ozempic, the side effects may stop. These side effects are also common when you raise your weekly dose of Ozempic.
Serious side effects of Ozempic
• Pancreatitis- this is an inflammation of the pancreas.
• Diabetic retinopathy complications- this is the damage to your vision due to type 2 diabetes.
• Hypoglycemia- is a rare condition of low blood sugar.
• Kidney complications- this leads to the decline of urine output and kidney injuries among people experiencing dehydration may be common.
• Allergic reactions- such as rashes and itchiness of the skin
• Gallbladder issues- you may develop acute gallstones over time, leading to surgery
• Thyroid tumors- this is a black box warning from the FDA. It may lead to the development of thyroid cancer.
Monitoring the use of Ozempic
Ozempic has several beneficial uses. But you need to be monitored for its use to avoid serious side effects, that may arise due to poor prescriptions. Some of the things that you should be monitored for include the following;
• If you have severe renal dysfunction, you shouldn’t use GLP-1 agonist drugs.
• Regular monitoring for hypoglycemia for patients using GLP-1 agonists with long-acting insulin or sulfonylurea.
• Periodic hemoglobin A1C check-ups and glycemic pattern examination for all patients using GLP-1 agonists.
• Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis
You should also notify your healthcare team of all the medications and medical conditions that you have. This enables them to prescribe a GLP-1 agonist drug that works best in weight management or treating type 2 diabetes.
Wrapping up
Ozempic burps are a side effect people experience when using Ozempic. They occur within the first few weeks of starting the medication and when you raise your weekly Ozempic dose. The burps may last for around 4 to 5 weeks as your body gets accustomed to the medication- so do the other common side effects of Ozempic.
Luckily, you can treat these Ozempic burps with a dietary change or an over-the-counter medication. You should constantly be monitoring your health to avoid developing serious side effects of Ozempic, which can be catastrophic.
Always notify your healthcare professional of your medical background to avoid the risk of developing serious side effects when using Ozempic.
