Does Semaglutide Make You Tired? Side Effects and What to Expect After Stopping

Does Semaglutide Make You Tired?

Semaglutide is a popular injectable medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. It's sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy. As with any medication, semaglutide can cause side effects. One potential side effect that some people report is feeling tired or fatigued after taking semaglutide. In this article, we'll take a closer look at whether semaglutide causes tiredness and fatigue, why it happens, and what you can do about it.

How Semaglutide Works

To understand if semaglutide makes you tired, it helps to first understand how the drug works. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It mimics the effects of GLP-1, a hormone produced in the gut that stimulates the release of insulin when blood sugar levels are high.

There are a few ways that semaglutide works to lower blood sugar levels:

• Increases insulin production - Semaglutide causes the pancreas to release more insulin after eating. This improves the body's ability to move sugar from the blood into cells to be used for energy.
• Decreases glucagon secretion - Glucagon is a hormone that signals the liver to release stored sugar. Semaglutide suppresses glucagon, resulting in less sugar released into the bloodstream.
• Slows digestion - By slowing digestion, semaglutide causes sugar from food to be absorbed into the blood more slowly. This prevents blood sugar spikes after meals.
• Increases satiety - Semaglutide decreases appetite by increasing feelings of fullness and satiety. This leads to eating less overall, resulting in lower blood sugar levels.

Does Semaglutide Make You Tired?

Fatigue and tiredness are common side effects reported by some people taking semaglutide. In clinical trials, fatigue was reported by up to 19% of patients taking the drug.

There are a few reasons why semaglutide may cause tiredness or fatigue:

• Lower blood sugar - By improving insulin secretion and lowering blood sugar, semaglutide can sometimes cause blood sugar to drop too low (hypoglycemia). Low blood sugar levels can result in symptoms like tiredness, weakness and fatigue.
• Gastrointestinal effects - Semaglutide frequently causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, especially when first starting treatment. Dealing with these side effects can leave some people feeling worn out or drained of energy.
• Decreased appetite - The appetite suppressing effects of semaglutide may result in some people eating less overall. Not eating enough calories can lead to fatigue.
• Weight loss - Semaglutide often leads to moderate weight loss. Rapid weight loss can sometimes cause tiredness. Electrolyte imbalances are also more common when losing weight quickly.

Tips to Manage Fatigue When Taking Semaglutide

If you feel overly tired or fatigued when taking semaglutide, there are some things you can try to help manage these symptoms:

• Monitor blood sugar - Check blood sugar levels regularly, especially before driving or operating heavy machinery. This can help you identify and treat low blood sugar before it leads to more serious symptoms.
• Eat regular meals - Don't skip meals. Maintaining consistent nutrient intake can help prevent fatigue related to low blood sugar or inadequate calorie consumption.
• Increase protein and healthy fats - Eating more proteins and unsaturated fats may help control hunger and prevent energy crashes.
• Stay hydrated - Dehydration can exacerbate fatigue. Drink plenty of non-caloric fluids like water or unsweetened teas.
• Exercise - Regular physical activity may help reduce tiredness. But take care not to overdo it if you are already fatigued.
• Sleep 7-9 hours - Prioritize getting enough quality sleep each night to fight tiredness.
• Avoid alcohol - Alcohol can make you feel sleepy or sluggish.
• Speak to your doctor - If lifestyle measures don't help, talk to your doctor about adjusting your semaglutide dosage or ruling out other potential causes.

When to See Your Doctor

Mild fatigue when starting semaglutide treatment is normal. But speak to your healthcare provider if:

• Fatigue is severe or persists over time
• Fatigue prevents you from working, exercising or doing daily activities
• You feel dizzy, weak or have headaches
• You faint or have heart palpitations
• You have other potential symptoms of low blood sugar like sweating, trembling or confusion

Your doctor can check for potential causes like electrolyte imbalances, thyroid issues, anemia, sleep apnea or side effects from other medications you may be taking.

In some cases, your doctor may adjust your semaglutide dosage or have you take it at a different time of day if it seems to be causing excessive fatigue. Or they may switch you to an alternative diabetes or weight loss medication altogether.

Will Tiredness Go Away After Stopping Semaglutide?

For most people, any tiredness or fatigue caused by semaglutide will go away after stopping the medication. Blood sugar levels, appetite, and gastrointestinal side effects usually return to normal within several weeks after discontinuation. So any fatigue related to these factors should resolve once the body adjusts to being off semaglutide. However, it may take more time for fatigue to resolve if it was related to rapid weight loss from semaglutide. Reversing nutritional deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances can take longer. Speaking to your doctor before stopping semaglutide can ensure you transition off the medication safely. They may recommend tapering your dose gradually rather than stopping abruptly. Your doctor will also want to monitor your diabetes after discontinuing semaglutide. They may need to adjust your other medications to keep blood sugar levels in your target range.

What to Expect After Stopping Semaglutide

Deciding to stop taking semaglutide? Here's what you can expect after discontinuing the medication:

1. Blood Sugar May Increase

Semaglutide lowers blood sugar by increasing insulin secretion, decreasing glucagon, and slowing digestion. Once you stop taking it, blood sugar levels can start to rise again within a few weeks.

Your doctor will monitor your blood sugar closely after stopping semaglutide and make any needed adjustments to your other diabetes medications to maintain control.

2. Appetite May Increase

One of the ways semaglutide helps with weight loss is by suppressing appetite. After stopping semaglutide, your appetite hormones will likely return to normal within 4-10 weeks.

You may find you feel hungrier more frequently. But focusing on healthy eating habits can help prevent significant weight regain.

3. GI Side Effects Will Resolve

Up to 20% of patients taking semaglutide experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. These gastrointestinal side effects are most common when first starting treatment but tend to improve over time.

After stopping semaglutide, any residual GI issues should go away within several weeks. Digestion and bowel function will return to normal.

4. Weight Loss May Plateau or Reverse

Many people are able to lose 10-15% of their body weight taking semaglutide. This weight loss is due to appetite suppression, reduced calorie intake, and other effects of the medication.

Once you discontinue semaglutide, maintaining further weight loss will depend on your diet and lifestyle habits. Focus on healthy eating, portion control and regular exercise to prevent regaining lost weight.

5. Other Medication Side Effects Will Resolve

In addition to GI side effects, semaglutide may cause side effects like fatigue, dizziness, headache or thyroid problems in some people. But after stopping the medication, any side effects should gradually dissipate.

Of course, always speak with your doctor if you experience any concerning or persistent side effects after discontinuing a medication.

Key Takeaways

• Fatigue and tiredness are common side effects reported with semaglutide treatment.
• Low blood sugar, GI side effects, appetite changes and weight loss may contribute to fatigue from semaglutide.
• Monitor blood sugar, eat regular meals, stay hydrated and get enough sleep to manage fatigue.
• Most fatigue should resolve within several weeks after stopping semaglutide.
• Work with your doctor to safely transition off semaglutide and adjust other diabetes medications as needed.

Speak with your doctor if you are experiencing concerning or persistent fatigue when taking or after stopping semaglutide. They can help determine if medication adjustments or additional treatments are needed.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.