Ozempic and Fatigue
Ozempic is a medication originally developed for people with type 2 diabetes but also has benefits for weight loss. The medication works due to the active ingredient Semaglutide, which interacts with hormones in the body to suppress appetite and promote feelings of fullness, causing you to eat fewer calories. By eating fewer calories, you are more likely to lose weight as your body burns fat for energy.
However, some users of the medication also fear that Ozempic is making them tired. There is still more research to be done around Ozempic and fatigue, but there may be a variety of ways that Ozempic impacts energy levels. Understanding these connections between Ozempic and fatigue can help you decide whether an Ozempic regimen is right for you and consider your other weight loss plan options.
What You Should Know About Ozempic and Fatigue
Starting any new medication can potentially affect your energy levels. There are several factors you should consider if you are thinking about taking Ozempic and concerned about it weighing down your energy.
1. Patient Experiences
Patient experiences show that there may be some connection between Ozempic and fatigue, as some patients have reported feeling fatigued while on a regimen. Fatigue is not currently listed as one of the official side effects of Ozempic according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, it is listed as a side effect of Wegovy, a weight loss drug that also contains the active ingredient Semaglutide.
An FDA-run clinical trial for Wegovy found that 11% of participants reported fatigue as part of their side effects. It’s unclear whether lower energy is the result of the medication itself or another factor, like eating fewer calories.
2. Individual Variability
Everyone is different, so everyone’s body may respond differently to medications. While some people may experience fatigue, others may not notice any significant change in energy levels. If you start an Ozempic regimen, you should closely monitor your energy levels for signs of fatigue.
Signs of fatigue may include sleeping more, struggling to handle your normal daily activities, or feeling muscle weakness or slowed reflexes. If you do start to notice a change in your energy levels, consult your doctor about whether you need to adjust your regimen.
3. Dosage & Timing
Some people may experience fatigue based on when they take the medication and at what dose. For some, adjusting the dosage and time they take it can result in an improvement in energy levels.
Too large a dose may limit your appetite too much and prevent you from eating, or it may lead to uncomfortable side effects, which can all affect your energy levels. Taking your dose during the wrong part of the day can also prevent you from eating the most nutritious meals—for example, if you take your dose before breakfast and don’t feel hungry enough to eat for a few hours, you may feel fatigued to start the day.
Ultimately, everyone is different, so it may take some trial and error to find the right dose and time of day. Any adjustments you make should be under the close supervision of your doctor. If you experience fatigue while on Ozempic, you should consult your doctor about potentially adjusting the dose or recommending a new time to take the medication.
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4. Interactions with Other Medications
Ozempic may interact with other medications like insulin-releasing medications or medications that you take by mouth. These medications may become more difficult for the body to absorb while on Ozempic as it slows stomach emptying, which can affect your body’s ability to metabolize the medication as designed.
This can have a negative impact on your energy levels, especially if these medications play a role in treating certain medical conditions or helping you feel less fatigued. If you take additional medications, it’s important to have a discussion with your doctor about whether taking Ozempic is the right choice for you.
5. Health Conditions
Existing health conditions can also be a key factor in affecting your energy levels. If you experience any health conditions before taking Ozempic, it’s possible that these can play an additional part in causing fatigue while on the medication as well. For example, an underlying thyroid condition or vitamin deficiency may cause you to feel excessively tired and attribute your low energy to taking Ozempic.
Ozempic may also have other side effects that cause you to feel tired indirectly. For example, if you experience gastrointestinal discomfort from taking the medication, it may prevent you from eating enough or drinking enough water and sustaining your energy. Ozempic also lowers blood sugar, so if you take other medications like insulin while taking Ozempic, you may experience hypoglycemia, which can lead to weakness or fatigue.
Regardless of the potential causes, if you experience excess fatigue while taking Ozempic, you should consult your doctor to discover whether you have any underlying conditions or may need to reconsider the dose you’re taking of the medication.
6. Adaptation Period
Some people may experience fatigue temporarily as their body gets used to taking Ozempic. Introducing any new medication may require an adjustment period, as the body has to adjust to an outside influence changing your hormone levels and chemicals in the brain.
Ozempic specifically interacts with your body’s hormones, mimicking a naturally occurring hormone and influencing your brain to tell you you’re full. Changes to the body’s hormone balance can lead to fatigue and fluctuating energy levels.
Ozempic also has another key influence on your energy levels—it causes you to eat less. Calories are a source of energy for the body, and although eating fewer calories can support weight loss, you may experience fatigue if you are forced to adjust to a drastic change in your calorie intake.
How long Ozempic fatigue lasts depends largely on the person. Fatigue may become less common over time as your body adjusts to the medication. For some, this adjustment can be a matter of two to six weeks, while others may not experience this at all.
7. Lifestyle Factors
It’s possible you may feel more fatigued on Ozempic, but that this reduction in energy levels is not the result of the medication itself, but of other lifestyle factors.
Some common reasons for fatigue include:
- Poor diet – Without proper nutrition, your body does not have the nutrients needed to support important functions, leading to fatigue.
- Dehydration – Hydration is important for supporting your cells’ most basic functions. It’s important to drink water daily to promote cellular hydration and minimize fatigue.
- Poor sleep quality – Poor sleep quality can significantly impact your energy levels.
- High stress levels – Chronic stress can lead to levels of fatigue, so it’s important to consider stress management strategies on a daily basis.
- Lack of exercise – Regular exercise can boost energy levels by encouraging a healthy cardiovascular system, and not getting enough can result in fatigue.
Although these lifestyle factors may not mean that Ozempic has a direct impact on your energy levels, it can be indirectly related. For example, Ozempic does not encourage more positive lifestyle changes—instead, taking Ozempic encourages users to believe that medication is the only necessary component for weight loss.
It’s often better to choose a weight loss approach that takes these lifestyle factors into account. By doing so, you can enjoy weight loss progress along with healthy energy levels and overall wellness.
Lose Weight Without Feeling Fatigued
Ozempic can lead to fatigue if the body needs to adjust to the medication, if paired with other medications, or if it is not supported by healthy lifestyle choices. A healthy weight loss journey does not have to go hand-in-hand with fatigue. Taking a holistic approach to weight loss focused on eating anti-inflammatory, delicious whole foods can help you lose weight and feel more energetic.
At re:vitalize weight loss and wellness, our programs are centered around eating nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory whole foods that are optimal for your weight loss success, metabolic health, and energy levels. Our Weight Loss & Metabolic Reset and Flexible Weight Loss programs offer great options for anyone who has tried to lose weight with Ozempic and experienced excessive fatigue.
In fact, many of our members report not only weight loss success, but also enhanced energy levels, improved libido, and more, thanks to a focus on eating whole foods and repairing the metabolism with nutrients identified by our unique BioScan™ technology.
Schedule a consultation with our team at re:vitalize weight loss & wellness to get started.
