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- Wegovy side effects typically begin within the first month of treatment, with digestive issues being the most common.
- Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation are common initial side effects, usually starting within the first few weeks.
- Side effects are often mild to moderate and tend to be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks as the body adjusts.
- The gradual dose increase strategy over 16 weeks is designed to minimize the severity of initial side effects.
- Approximately 5-10% of individuals discontinue treatment due to gastrointestinal side effects.
- Nausea affects about 44% of patients, while vomiting occurs in about 24%.
- Side effects often peak during dose escalation periods and may be more pronounced in the morning or after meals.
- Most side effects are most pronounced during the initial 4-5 months of therapy.
- Management strategies include eating smaller, more frequent meals, avoiding trigger foods, staying hydrated, and potentially using anti-nausea medications.
- The timing and severity of side effects can vary among individuals, with some experiencing no adverse effects during long-term treatment.
The side effects of Wegovy typically begin within the first month of treatment. Digestive issues like nausea are particularly common during the initial four months. These side effects are often temporary and may improve over time as the body adjusts to the medication.
The initial onset of digestive issues
Digestive side effects of Wegovy, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation, typically start within the first few weeks of treatment and are most pronounced during dose escalation periods.
These effects are often mild to moderate and tend to be transient, usually subsiding within a few days to weeks as the body adjusts to the medication. The gradual dose increase strategy, where the dose is slowly increased every four weeks over 16 weeks, is designed to minimize the severity of these initial side effects.
However, some patients may experience more persistent symptoms, with approximately 5% to 10% of individuals discontinuing treatment due to gastrointestinal side effects. To manage these initial digestive issues, patients are advised to eat smaller, more frequent meals, avoid fatty or greasy foods, and stay hydrated.
Early signs of nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are among the most common early side effects of Wegovy, typically emerging within the first few weeks of treatment.
Approximately 44% of patients experience nausea, while about 24% report vomiting. These symptoms often peak during dose escalation periods and may be more pronounced in the morning or after meals.
To manage these early signs, patients are advised to eat smaller, more frequent meals and avoid trigger foods such as those that are fried, oily, or spicy. Staying hydrated is crucial, even if it means sucking on ice chips or ice pops when keeping water down is difficult.
Ginger may help alleviate nausea and prevent vomiting. If symptoms persist or worsen, healthcare providers may recommend anti-nausea medications or temporarily adjust the Wegovy dose.
Timing of common side effects
Common side effects of Wegovy typically manifest within the first few months of treatment, with gastrointestinal issues being particularly prevalent. Nausea, the most frequently reported side effect affecting 44% of adults, usually occurs within days of increasing the dose.
Other digestive symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation often follow a similar pattern, emerging early in treatment. These side effects are generally most pronounced during the initial 4-5 months of therapy, coinciding with the dose escalation period.
While most side effects are transient and improve as the body adjusts to the medication, some patients may experience persistent symptoms. It’s important to note that the timing and severity of side effects can vary among individuals, and some may not experience any adverse effects at all during long-term Wegovy treatment.