I'm a Doctor and These Are 4 Side Effects Patients Should Expect When Starting the New Wegovy Pill

When starting any new prescription medicine, your doctor is one of your most valuable sources of information. They can help you learn everything about how a drug works, side effects you may endure, and any potential interactions with allergies or other medications. If you're considering prescription meds to lose weight, you likely already know there are many choices to consider. It's essential to have a clear understanding of all of them so you can make an education decision that's best for you and your overall wellness.

With the release of Wegovy in pill form, there are even more facts to consider.

To help get you started, we spoke with Dr. Bronwyn Holmes, MD, member of Eden's Medical Advisory Board, who breaks down four common side effects patients can expect when starting the new Wegovy pill, which is taken daily.

Both the oral and injectable versions of Wegovy contain semaglutide.

"Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps the body regulate appetite, insulin, and weight," Dr. Holmes tells us. "The main difference is the delivery method for the Wegovy pill and the delivery method for the version. The main difference is also how the body absorbs the Wegovy pill compared with how the body absorbs the version."

It's a busy routine that's important to stick with and manage effectively, if that's the road you choose to take. As previously mentioned, the oral form of semaglutide—Wegovy in pill form—is very comparable to the injectable form, but with several side effects.

One of the side effects to expect at first when taking the Wegovy pill is nausea, and here's why. Pills are taken orally, so they go through your digestive tract and can cause havoc by aggravating the lining of your gut. This is unlike the injectable form of Wegovy, which bypasses the digestive tract.

Dr. Holmes cautions to be mindful of side effects early on.

"The oral route can irritate the gut lining directly. The oral route can cause nausea at first. Some patients say they feel nausea or short GI symptoms for weeks. The first weeks often make the nausea worse when patients eat foods or increase the dose quickly," she tells us.

Other common side effects include vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. It's important to take as directed to avoid acid reflux or upper abdominal discomfort. Most of these occur during the first few weeks, or as you increase the dose.

"Most GI issues resolve within the first four to six weeks if dietary protocols are followed and hydration is maintained. I advise increasing fiber and protein gently [and] avoiding [big] meals—especially early in the day."

It's also important to stay hydrated, as dehydration can occur from vomiting and nausea.

In some rare instances, some serious risks can include gallstones, pancreatitis, and  kidney conditions.

If you're curious about what else GLP-1s can do, check out 5 Surprising Health Benefits of GLP-1 Drugs That Have Nothing to Do With Weight Loss.