When taking Wegovy, you are likely to experience a number of common side effects as a result of the medication. These will range in severity from person to person, and are impacted by a number of factors.

The good news is that, while you may not be able to control whether or not you experience Wegovy’s side effects, there are a number of ways that you can manage them. Here, we outline our recommendations for how to manage the common side effects of Wegovy to ensure you have a positive experience on your weight loss journey.

Common side effects of Wegovy

Before we dive into advice on how to manage side effects, let’s first recap on some of the common side effects you can expect to experience while taking Wegovy. The most common side effects of Wegovy are [1]:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Nasopharyngitis/common cold
• Headaches
• Dyspepsia/indigestion
• Stomach/abdomen pain
• Upper respiratory tract infection

All of the above are fairly expected when it comes to taking Wegovy, and shouldn’t be cause for concern unless experienced severely. Only if they are persistent and particularly severe are they worth reporting to a health professional. 

Otherwise, the best way to manage these common side effects include:

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Keep well hydrated

Water is one of those marvellous things when it comes to addressing any number of ailments, and this is particularly true when it comes to managing side effects of Wegovy. Symptoms like nausea, headaches, and dizziness, or even more uncomfortable side effects like diarrhoea and constipation, are all often a side effect of being dehydrated, and can all be alleviated by drinking more water. 

Try bringing a large bottle with you wherever you go to ensure you’ve always got the opportunity to hydrate yourself should you feel any side effects coming on. Foods that contain lots of water—like soup—can also be helpful for if you are feeling nauseous but don’t want to skip a meal.

Eat high fibre foods

Fibrous foods are particularly helpful for gastrointestinal problems, particularly constipation. Ensuring your diet is packed full of plenty of fruit and vegetables will be a good way to overcome these side effects.

Eat bland foods

Foods that are packed full of seasoning—or worth, very spicy—will cause you lots of problems around nausea, constipation, and diarrhoea. If you are experienced these side effects, instead stick to blander foods that may be easier to eat and digest without making you feel ill. Think plain toast, unseasoned chicken breast, and so on. 

Eat more slowly 

Consuming your food at a more leisurely pace is key to managing side effects like nausea, constipation, and diarrhoea. Chew your food slowly, take pauses in your meal, and drink plenty of water throughout. Remember, Wegovy increases the sensation of feeling full, so you are likely to sate your appetite on smaller portions than you are used to. By eating slowly you reduce the risk of overeating, and can avoid any side effects associated with that.  

Know which foods to avoid

Just as you should know which sorts of foods will make you feel better, or at least are easier to consume when feeling nauseous, you should know which foods are likely to worsen the side effects of Wegovy. 

There are a number of foods/drinks that will cause your blood sugar to spike, thus potentially giving you hyperglycemia. These include excessively sugary foods, simple carbohydrates, and ultra-processed foods. 

Certain foods may also exacerbate gastrointestinal problems. Greasy foods, for instance, will likely contribute to feelings of nausea and constipation, while high caffeinated drinks (like coffee, fizzy drinks, etc) make your digestive system move faster and will make diarrhoea much worse. 

Get plenty of fresh air

It sounds simple, but fresh air can often be the best antidote to nausea. If you are ever feeling sick or dizzy from your medication, or after you’ve eaten, try and get outside for a walk. It can do wonders for helping you manage the side effects you may be experiencing.

And if the side effects persist or get worse…

…you should report them to a doctor or health professional. They’ll be able to assess the risk of the side effects, and ultimately if it's in your best interest to stay on the medication. If you are prescribed Wegovy through Habitual, you’ll get full time patient support via the platform, as well as peer support on Whatsapp. 

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