Ozempic stomach paralysis: What is it & how to stop it
This article was reviewed by Lynn Marie Morski, MD, JD.
Ozempic Stomach Paralysis: Risks & Treatments
Key takeaways:
- Stomach paralysis is a condition that slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the intestines.
- Ozempic slows down food movement to control blood sugar.
- If movement becomes too slow, you could experience Ozempic stomach paralysis.
- Stopping Ozempic should improve stomach paralysis symptoms. A healthcare provider can offer guidance.
Ozempic can cause stomach paralysis (gastroparesis), but it’s a rare side effect. The medication slows the movement of food from your stomach to your intestines, which helps you feel fuller and controls blood sugar levels. If this movement is too slow, it can cause pain and vomiting.
Read on for more info on Ozempic stomach paralysis, including the risks, symptoms, and treatments.
Does Ozempic Cause Stomach Paralysis?
Ozempic may cause stomach paralysis. But the side effect is rare, and (despite the name) the stomach isn’t actually paralyzed.
So, what’s happening? Ozempic slows down how quickly food moves from the stomach to the intestines. This is known as slowed or delayed gastric emptying — and it’s usually a good thing.
It helps control your blood sugar levels and makes you feel fuller after meals. Slowed gastric emptying is one way Ozempic can help manage type 2 diabetes and, when used off-label, treat overweight and obesity.
Delayed Gastric Emptying vs. Stomach Paralysis
If stomach movement becomes too slow, you can experience stomach paralysis — when the stomach empties abnormally slowly.
It can lead to complications, such as:
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition, as you’re body isn’t absorbing nutrients properly
- Masses of food your stomach can’t digest (bezoars), which can cause intestinal blockages or ulcers
For the most part, though, slowed stomach emptying is usually a good thing when taking Ozempic. It’s part of how the diabetes drug works.
How Common Is Ozempic Stomach Paralysis?
There isn’t much research on Ozempic stomach paralysis, so we don’t know how common it is.
We have some research on GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) in general, though. That’s the class of medication Ozempic belongs to.
In a study of real-world data, about 5 percent of GLP-1 agonist users report stomach paralysis. This research included patients taking:
- Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy)
- Exenatide (Byetta)
- Liraglutide (Victoza and Saxenda)
- Dulaglutide (Truclicity)
Liraglutide, exenatide, and dulaglutide all have higher odds of stomach paralysis compared to semaglutide.
Ozempic Stomach Paralysis vs. Other Forms of Semaglutide
Also, you might have an increased risk of stomach paralysis when taking Ozempic compared to other forms of semaglutide.
A 2025 study looked at almost 55,500 people with obesity. They were on different forms of semaglutide, taking the weight loss drug bupropion-naltrexone, or had had a sleeve gastrectomy — a type of weight loss surgery.
Out of the three treatment groups, people taking semaglutide had a higher risk of gastroparesis. The risk was about three times higher in the semaglutide group compared to the bupropion-naltrexone group. And it was six times higher than the sleeve gastrectomy group.
Out of the semaglutide group:
- 70 percent were on Ozempic
- 14 percent were on Wegovy, which contains a higher dose of semaglutide than Ozempic
- 16 percent were on Rybelsus (an oral form of semaglutide)
Stomach paralysis was most common in those taking Ozempic. However, despite the scary-sounding numbers, the researchers in the study noted that the side effect is rare.
Finally, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) prescribing information leaflet on Ozempic says the medication isn’t recommended for those with slowed stomach emptying.
So, let your prescribing healthcare provider know about any issues you’ve had in the past.
Symptoms of Ozempic Stomach Paralysis
Symptoms of stomach paralysis include:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Belching
- Heartburn
- Weight loss
- Feeling full after eating a very small amount of food
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) if you have diabetes
Some of these symptoms are the same gastrointestinal side effects of Ozempic — like nausea and vomiting — so it can be tricky to tell them apart.
Ozempic side effects should lessen as your body adjusts to the medication. Symptoms of stomach paralysis, on the other hand, may be more severe and not get better with time. When in doubt, check in with your provider.
What to Do If You Think You Have Ozempic Stomach Paralysis
If you think you have Ozempic stomach paralysis, seek medical attention. A healthcare provider can test you for the condition and recommend the best course of action depending on your symptoms.
Look out for these symptoms in particular:
- Severe stomach discomfort or cramping
- Sudden, sharp pain that doesn’t go away
- Blood in your vomit
- Vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- Vomiting for more than an hour
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
Ozempic Stomach Paralysis Treatments
Treatments for Ozempic stomach paralysis include stopping the GLP-1 drug, changing your eating habits, doing some gentle movement, managing blood sugar levels, and taking medication to encourage stomach movement.
The best treatment for you will depend on how severe your symptoms are.
Here’s more on those treatment options.
Stop Taking Ozempic
Stopping Ozempic may improve your symptoms.
One case study looked at a woman taking semaglutide who experienced stomach paralysis. When she stopped her medication, her gastroparesis symptoms significantly improved, and her nausea completely resolved within a month.
Your healthcare provider can let you know if you should stop Ozempic and, if so, whether to switch to a different medication to control type 2 diabetes or treat overweight or obesity.
Change Your Eating Habits
Tweaking your eating habits may help reduce the symptoms of stomach paralysis and prevent the dehydration and malnutrition it can cause.
Your healthcare provider may suggest:
- Eating low-fat, non-greasy foods
- Eating well-cooked fruits and vegetables
- Avoiding raw fruits and veggies and other fibrous foods
- Chewing your food more thoroughly
- Eating smaller meals more regularly
- Drinking plenty of water and electrolytes
- Avoiding carbonated drinks and alcohol
Do Gentle Activity After Meals
Try doing some gentle activity after a meal, like taking a walk. This can help with digestion. Additionally, avoid lying down for about two hours after a meal.
Bonus: These tips can help reduce Ozempic side effects like nausea, so they’re good habits to start.
Control Blood Sugar Levels
If you have type 2 diabetes and stomach paralysis, you’ll need to be extra careful to keep your blood sugar levels under control. High blood sugar levels can slow down the movement of food from your stomach even more.
Reach out to your healthcare provider. They can make sure your medications are adequately controlling your blood sugar levels and tell you any additional steps you should take.
Take Medications for Stomach Paralysis
Depending on how severe your stomach paralysis is, a healthcare provider may recommend medications to help your stomach muscles contract. This helps food move through your digestive system.
Medications for stomach paralysis include:
- Metoclopramide
- Erythromycin
- Domperidone
Your provider might also prescribe prescription drugs that can relieve the nausea and vomiting that stomach paralysis can cause. Those medications include:
- Ondansetron
- Prochlorperazine
- Promethazine
- Antidepressants
Finally, your provider may prescribe pain medication or suggest an over-the-counter option to treat any stomach pain you might experience.
Final Words on Ozempic Stomach Paralysis
Though Ozempic stomach paralysis sounds scary, it simply means food moves more slowly from your stomach to your intestines.
Here are the key things to know:
- Ozempic is designed to slow gastric emptying. Slowing the movement of food through your system can help control blood sugar levels and make you feel fuller for longer, promoting weight loss.
- Look out for severe symptoms. It’s tricky to tell the difference between stomach paralysis and normal Ozempic side effects. But look out for severe stomach pain or cramping, vomiting for more than an hour, and sharp pain that doesn’t go away.
- It should be reversible. If Ozempic gastroparesis symptoms are severe, a healthcare provider may recommend stopping Ozempic treatment. Your symptoms might clear up within a few weeks of stopping the medication.
FAQs
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about Ozempic stomach paralysis.
What is stomach paralysis (gastroparesis)?
Stomach paralysis is a condition that causes the movement of food from your stomach to your small intestine to slow down or stop. This can cause vomiting, dehydration, or malnutrition. Diabetes is the main cause of stomach paralysis.
How long does Ozempic stomach paralysis last?
It’s unclear how long Ozempic stomach paralysis lasts. It may not go away on its own, so you might need to stop the medication, change your eating habits, or take medication to encourage stomach contractions and digestion.
How to avoid stomach paralysis while on Ozempic?
You can’t guarantee you’ll avoid stomach paralysis while on Ozempic. But you can reduce your chances by managing your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes.
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This article originally appeared on ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.