Wegovy Pill Side Effects Explained

Posted on July 17, 2026 by Sally-Anne Turner

"Why Do I Feel Sick?"

It's been just over a week since the Wegovy pill was launched in the UK, and it is booming. Private weight loss clinics, pharmacies and online doctors are reporting a surge in questions about this daily GLP-1 oral medication, which is predicted to replace the Wegovy injection.

As this weight loss medication contains semaglutide, it is not without its own side effects. The Wegovy tablets UK, much like the Wegovy injection, tend to be gastrointestinal in nature and more common when you start this pill, or move between doses.

At the Bodyline Clinic, we've helped over 100,000 patients to meet their weight loss goals. We use a mixture of personalised support and evidence-based treatments to help those who may have found traditional methods of losing weight difficult.

In short, we know all about GLP-1 injections and oral medications, as well as the side effects they can create. Here, we aim to walk you through the most common symptoms you may experience while taking this new GLP-1 medication and how to manage them safely and effectively.

Side Effects Explained

Semaglutide, whether it is injected or swallowed, is noted to cause side effects. As this is the same ingredient in injectable Wegovy, the side effects of both are similar.

So, let's look at the most common side effects of this pill according to Novo Nordisk and explore ways to manage them.

1. Nausea

Nausea (feeling sick) is the most commonly reported side effect. In recent clinical studies, 46.6% of those who took this pill experienced it. Queasiness is most common in the first month of starting this medication, but it can last for months.

Luckily, this is noted to be mild to moderate and usually improves by the time the maintenance dose of this pill is reached (25mg).

Need to manage the nausea? Why not try:

• Smaller, more frequent meals.
• Drink plenty of water. Dehydration makes nausea worse.
• Avoid greasy, high-fat foods.
• Eat slowly. Chew thoroughly, as this will also help with heartburn.

2. Vomiting

Another side effect of the pill is slowing down digestion. As the food stays in your gut for longer, this can lead to vomiting, especially if you are already feeling nauseous.

If you are vomiting, you can try:

• Eating bland, low-fat foods like rice and toast. Try to also eat foods that have a lot of water, like broth or soup.
• Walking after eating. Lying down after eating makes vomiting more likely.
• Eat smaller amounts of food.

3. Diarrhoea/Loose Stools

As before, this medication impacts the rate at which food passes through your gut, so it can cause it to speed up or slow down.

1 in 6 people who took oral Wegovy experienced diarrhoea. Along with altering the pace of the gut, the core ingredient in this medication (semaglutide) changes how the intestines absorb nutrients. When that changes, this can lead to diarrhoea.

Runny or loose stools aren't pleasant, but you can manage this by:

• Drinking clear liquids, diluted fruit drinks and sports drinks to balance lost electrolytes.
• Avoid sugary foods, dairy and fried foods, which are greasy.
• Try the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast.

4. Constipation

On the other side of the spectrum, this oral semaglutide can also cause constipation.

As this pill makes you feel fuller sooner, by slowing down the digestive tract, it can also cause people to drink less. Very Well Health notes that a lack of thirst can increase the chance of urinary tract infections, kidney issues and even kidney stones.

Of course, water and fluids help with digestion. Pair this with a pill that slows the gut, and you end up with fewer trips to the bathroom.

Constipation can be helped by:

• Upping your fibre. Try to eat beans, avocados and oats.
• Drink more water.
• Increase your movement. Physical activities like walking or yoga can help your stomach to regulate itself.

If you have not opened your bowels in a week, the NHS advises seeking urgent care.

5. Abdominal Pain/Upset Stomach/Bloating

Is your stomach hurting after you started this medication? It's normal. As is bloating and just a general upset stomach.

These symptoms tended to be mild to moderate and occurred in 18.1% of people who were taking this medication in clinical settings. Also, this GI side effect tended to be more common when the dosage of this weight loss medication was being increased.

If you have severe abdominal pain that radiates up your back, seek urgent help. This can point to issues with your gallbladder or pancreas.

You can manage the overall GI symptoms with:

• Smaller, more frequent meals.
• Try to chew your food thoroughly and slowly before swallowing.
• Avoid spicy and greasy foods, as well as dairy and fizzy drinks.

6. Headache

Semaglutide medications can cause drastic changes in eating patterns, hydration and even sugar levels in the blood.

The result? The Wegovy headache. As these pills can lead to satiety (feeling full), many people will skip meals or eat less. The blood sugar dips, and you get a headache. As this pill can also lead to diarrhoea and vomiting, these can have the secondary side effect of dehydration, which can present as a headache.

Headaches while taking this oral GLP-1 can be managed by:

• Staying hydrated with water. For dehydration, you may want to drink energy drinks.
• Over-the-counter pain relief, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.

7. Fatigue (Tiredness)

Does Wegovy make you tired? Yes.

Fatigue while taking this pill can be due to the change in blood sugar, as well as changes in eating and drinking habits. The less you eat, the less you drink, and the more your blood sugar drops, the more tired you will feel.

The fatigue is usually short-lived as your body adjusts and can be prevented by:

• Staying hydrated.
• Aiming to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
• Try to increase your physical activity. This may help boost your energy.

8. Heartburn/Acid Reflux

Are you having a burning sensation in your throat or chest? That's acid reflux, and (you guessed it), it's a common side effect of this medication.

Though it is noted by the research, there is no clear theory as to why this pill may cause heartburn. The most likely reason for this "Wegovy heartburn" is the impact on digestion, and the slowing of the gut causes a buildup of food in the stomach. This leads to a build-up of gas, as well as excess acid, to try to break down the food.

Thus, you end up with acid creeping up your throat, causing heartburn.

Heartburn can be minimised by:

• Limiting foods that can cause heartburn, like spicy, fried, greasy or acidic foods. Also, no carbonated drinks.
• Try to move after eating.
• Take an over-the-counter heartburn medication, like Gaviscon.

When to Seek Help from a Healthcare Provider

Long story short, having side effects while on this GLP-1 oral medication is normal.

However, if you note that the symptoms you are experiencing are worsening, bothering you or keeping you awake at night, then you should call your prescriber.

It may be that the cause is treatable. Or it may not be safe for you to continue to take oral weight loss treatments.

If you have any of these symptoms, you need to seek urgent medical attention:

• Developing swelling in your neck, issues with swallowing, shortness of breath or hoarseness in your voice.
• Constipation that lasts over a week.
• Extremely severe abdominal pain that is travelling up your back.
• Issues with breathing, swelling to the face, lips, throat or tongue. This could point to an allergic reaction.
• If you become pregnant while taking this pill, contact your doctor immediately.

Side Effects: How Long Do They Last?

There is no set time scale for how long the side effects last.

The side effects mentioned in this article tend to occur just after treatment has started, or as the dose is increased. As with the Wegovy injection, the Wegovy pill is titrated gradually until you reach the maintenance dose.

If the side effects you are experiencing are not stopping or worsening, then contact your prescribing team.

The First Steps in Safer Weight Loss

Are you ready to begin your weight loss journey?

Our team at the Bodyline Clinic has supported over 100,000 patients with medically supervised weight loss. We aim to personalise your experience with us and don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.

If you want to learn more about what we offer, book a free consultation at one of our clinics today. Or, why not utilise our online consultation platform?

We are looking forward to hearing from you.

FAQs

Does the Wegovy Pill Have the Same Side Effects as the Injection?

Both the Wegovy pill and injection cause mainly gastrointestinal issues. However, as the pill is taken daily, it eliminates issues with infection at the injection site. It has been noted to increase the recurrence of the side effects due to the daily administration of the medication.

What Are the Most Common Side Effects?

Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical team behind this oral semaglutide, list the most common side effects as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea/loose stools
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Heartburn

I'm Worried About a Side Effect – What Should I Do?

Contact your prescriber immediately and talk to your GP. If the side effects are more extreme, go to urgent care or A&E.

Most side effects of this medication are short-lived. If you have a side effect that is not reducing, then you should also seek medical advice from your prescriber and GP.