Does Taking Ozempic Cause Headaches?

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a powerful medication that helps treat Type 2 diabetes. But like any medication, Ozempic can cause side effects. The most commonly reported side effects of Ozempic involve the gut. People may experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when they begin taking Ozempic. 

But as more people are turning to this medication, other side effects are coming to light, like headaches. Here’s what you should know about Ozempic headaches and what you can do to treat them. 

How does Ozempic work?

Before diving into Ozempic and headaches, it’s helpful to know a few things about how Ozempic works. Ozempic belongs to a class of medications called semaglutide. These medications mimic a hormone in the gut — glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) — that your body releases after you eat. 

Ozempic works by:

• Increasing insulin production, which brings down your blood sugar

• Sending your brain signals that make you feel less hungry

• Slowing down how quickly your stomach empties, so you feel full quicker 

These actions can lead to improved blood sugar control over time, which is helpful for people with diabetes. 

Does Ozempic cause headaches?

Not directly. In one large review of current evidence, experts looked at people who took Ozempic and other medications for diabetes treatment. In terms of side effects, the experts didn’t find any evidence that the group of people taking Ozempic had more headaches. This suggests that Ozempic itself doesn’t cause headaches. 

But some of Ozempic’s known side effects can lead to headaches. 

Low blood sugar 

Remember, Ozempic lowers your blood sugar and can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Most mild Ozempic side effects usually go away on their own. Here are some tips on how to manage them in the meantime.

• Sometimes, Ozempic isn’t a good fit due to side effects. If you’re considering stopping the medication, here’s what you can expect.

• Managing your diet can help lessen Ozempic side effects. Find out which foods you should avoid.

This doesn’t happen very often. But people who are taking other medications that lower blood sugar — like insulin and sulfonylureas — are more likely to develop hypoglycemia while taking Ozempic. And low blood sugar can cause headaches. 

The makers of Ozempic point out hypoglycemia as a possible side effect. And they even note that low blood sugar may lead to headaches. 

“I have found that a small percentage of patients report mild headaches, especially on the day of the injection (and then self-resolve through the week until the next injection),” said Dr. Jennifer Clements, MD, a board-certified physician in obesity medicine and a GoodRx contributor.

Dehydration

Dehydration is another reason people taking Ozempic may develop headaches. Ozempic slows down how fast the stomach empties. This can lead to nausea and vomiting. It can also cause diarrhea. Gut upset is one of the best documented side effects of Ozempic. These issues can lead to dehydration.

Ozempic also makes you feel fuller longer. This means you’re less likely to eat and drink. 

If you’re not drinking enough fluids throughout the day because you don’t feel thirsty, you could become dehydrated over time. And, if you’re also losing fluids because of vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration can develop even more quickly. 

Dehydration is linked to headaches, and it can also trigger migraines and tension headaches.

How do you treat an Ozempic headache?

There are several things you can do to treat and prevent Ozempic headaches.

• Drink plenty of fluids. Make sure to drink enough fluids throughout the day. This will help you avoid dehydration and resulting headaches. You may not feel thirsty while taking Ozempic, so you may need to rely on other prompts to remind you to drink. Try marking a water bottle or setting a timer on your phone to help you remember to keep up with your hydration.

• Try antinausea medication. Side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may go away over time. But in the meantime, talk with a healthcare professional about whether you should take an anti-nausea medication, especially if you’re having trouble keeping down enough fluid to stay hydrated.

• Check your blood sugar. If you’re feeling a headache coming on, check your blood sugar. If it’s low, you can eat a snack or drink orange juice to bring it back up. Make sure to talk with a healthcare professional about your low blood sugar. You may need to adjust your other medications so your blood sugar doesn’t keep dropping. 

• Try over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. You can also try OTC pain medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen for headache relief. Check with a healthcare professional before taking ibuprofen if you have chronic kidney disease.

Frequently asked questions

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Brian Clista, MD

Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Farzon A. Nahvi, MD

Farzon Nahvi, MD, is an emergency medicine physician and author of “Code Gray: Death, Life, and Uncertainty in the ER.” He works at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, and teaches at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts