Managing Nausea
Nausea is one of the most common side effects of GLP-1 medications. Learn proven strategies to reduce and manage nausea for better treatment tolerance.
Educational Purposes Only
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or modifying any treatment or medication.
Why It Happens
GLP-1 medications slow gastric emptying, which means food stays in your stomach longer. This delayed emptying, combined with effects on the brain's nausea center and reduced appetite, can trigger nausea—especially during the first few weeks of treatment or after dose increases. The good news: for most patients, nausea improves significantly within 1-2 weeks as your body adjusts to the medication. Nausea typically occurs within 1-2 days after injection and resolves on its own.
Prevention Strategies
These lifestyle adjustments can significantly reduce nausea frequency and severity.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially around injection day. Dehydration can worsen nausea. Sip water slowly rather than gulping large amounts.
Eat Small, Frequent Meals
Even if you're not hungry, try to eat small amounts every 2-3 hours. An empty stomach can trigger nausea. Keep crackers or protein shakes handy.
Avoid Trigger Foods
Limit fried, fatty, greasy foods, strong odors, and overly spicy dishes. These can exacerbate nausea on GLP-1 medications.
Over-the-Counter Relief Options
*Please consult your healthcare provider before starting new OTC medications.
Emetrol
Phosphorated carbohydrate solution for nausea relief:
- Available at most pharmacies without prescription
- Dosing: 1-2 tablespoons every 15 minutes, up to 5 doses
- Works by calming the stomach
- Safe for most patients, but check with provider if diabetic
Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate)
Anti-nausea medication commonly used for motion sickness:
- Regular Dramamine: 50-100 mg every 4-6 hours as needed
- Non-Drowsy Dramamine: 50-100 mg every 4-6 hours
- Note: Regular formula can cause drowsiness; avoid driving if affected
- Non-drowsy version contains meclizine (less sedating)
⚠️ Important: Regular Dramamine may cause drowsiness. Use caution when operating machinery or driving.
Natural Remedies
🫚 Ginger
Ginger chews or tea: Natural anti-nausea properties. Sip ginger tea slowly or chew ginger candies throughout the day. Ginger has been shown in studies to reduce nausea.
🌿 Peppermint
Peppermint tea or oil: Soothes the stomach and reduces nausea. Drink peppermint tea or inhale peppermint essential oil. Avoid if you have reflux.
💊 Vitamin B6
25-50 mg, 2-3 times daily: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) has anti-nausea effects and is safe for most patients. Available at any pharmacy.
🍋 Lemon or Mint
Aromatherapy: Smelling fresh lemon or mint can provide quick relief. Keep lemon slices or peppermint oil nearby to inhale when nausea strikes.
Additional Nausea Management Tips
- Eat bland foods: crackers, toast, rice, bananas, applesauce
- Avoid lying down immediately after eating (wait 1-2 hours)
- Get fresh air—open windows or step outside
- Avoid strong smells (cooking odors, perfumes, smoke)
- Rest in a cool, quiet environment
- Try acupressure wristbands (sold for motion sickness)
- Take your injection at night before bed to sleep through nausea
- Do NOT increase your dose until nausea settles
When to Contact Your Provider
Nausea is typically mild and temporary. However, contact your provider if you experience:
- Nausea lasting longer than 2 days after injection consistently
- Vomiting (unable to keep food or liquids down)
- Signs of dehydration (dark urine, dizziness, dry mouth, confusion)
- Severe, persistent nausea that prevents eating
- Nausea accompanied by severe abdominal pain
- Weight loss due to inability to eat
Important: If nausea occurs daily or causes vomiting, your dose may be too strong. Contact your provider to discuss dose adjustment.
Understanding Dose-Related Nausea
Normal: Mild nausea for 1-2 days after injection that gradually improves over time.
Dose too strong: Daily nausea, vomiting, or severe nausea lasting more than 2 days after injection. If this occurs, hold your next dose and contact your provider. You may need to restart at a lower dose.
Remember: Do not increase your dose until nausea from your current dose has settled for at least a week. Slow titration is key to tolerating GLP-1 medications.
References
- Nauck MA, et al. GLP-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of type 2 diabetes - state-of-the-art. Mol Metab. 2021;46:101102. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33068776/
- Wilding JPH, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/
- Lee JS, et al. Ginger for Nausea and Vomiting: An Update of the Literature. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 2012;6(4):472-477. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23108341/
- Chumpitazi BP, et al. Review article: the physiological effects and safety of peppermint oil and its efficacy in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2018;47(6):738-752. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29372567/
- Matthews A, et al. Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(9):CD007575. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26348534/