How Can Semaglutide Help With Acid Reflux?

Diabetes is one of the most rampant and costly diseases in the US, affecting 1 in 10 people. About 90-95% of patients have type 2 diabetes, which affects how the body uses and regulates sugar.

Ozempic is one of the injectable medications that help treat type 2 diabetes. There are claims that the active ingredient (Semaglutide) in this FDA-approved drug causes acid reflux and heartburn.

Acid reflux is when the stomach contents flow back into the esophagus. On the other hand, heartburn is the sensation that comes with acid reflux. Learn more about how Semaglutide causes acid reflux and how to manage the side effects below:

How Semaglutide Works

Semaglutide mimics a gut hormone released when you eat. It makes the pancreas release insulin and prevents the liver from producing sugar. As a result, your blood sugar level becomes stable.

When in action, Semaglutide works by making the stomach empty its contents slower. As such, you won't feel the need to eat more. If you struggle with weight loss, this digestive mechanism can help you lose weight.

As it controls blood sugar, Semaglutide reduces the risk of serious health consequences. These complications include kidney failure, stroke and heart attack.

You can combine Ozempic with a good diet and workout program for better outcomes. And if recommended, you may use it with drugs such as Metformin.

Common Side Effects of Semaglutide

Ozempic can help patients with type 2 diabetes lead a normal life without risks of severe complications. But its active ingredient, Semaglutide, carries certain side effects.

Common side effects of Semaglutide include bloating, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. You may also experience diarrhea, constipation or headaches when taking the drug.

While the digestive system side effects are uncomfortable, they aren't life-threatening. You can even manage them with small improvements in your day-to-day life.

Though rare, the serious side effects of Semaglutide include allergic reactions and acute kidney injury. Some patients also have low blood sugar levels and eye disease. Taking Semaglutide may increase the risk of thyroid or pancreatic cancer too.

Mild side effects of this type 2 diabetes medication are usually temporary. They can easily go away with lifestyle changes.

But clearing the drug out of your body might take up to 5 weeks once you stop taking it. During this period, expect to experience some side effects. Your personal doctor can advise you on what to do while taking the Ozempic.

Semaglutide and Weight Loss

While Ozempic can help some people lose weight, never use it as a weight loss supplement. It is only available as a drug for treating type 2 diabetes. Any claims about its weight management benefits are unproven.

To lose weight while taking this drug, speak to your doctor about the best options. Also, report to your doctor any weight changes you experience.

Saxenda, a type 2 diabetes medication approved for weight loss, works like Ozempic. But despite these drugs being in the same drug class, you can't use them together.

Triggers for Acid Reflux When Taking Semaglutide

There's still no consensus on the foods that cause acid reflux and heartburn. But taking certain foods can trigger reflux symptoms.

You should eat less high-fat foods when taking Semaglutide. These foods can make the stomach acid flow back to the esophagus. As a result, you may experience reflux symptoms such as heartburn and flatulence.

High-fat foods to avoid include full-fat dairy products, french fries and oily/greasy foods. Snacks and desserts like potato chips and ice cream also have a high-fat content.

Citrus fruits and tomatoes can worsen or cause severe acid reflux. So, you should limit lemons, tomatoes, oranges and salsa in your heartburn friendly diet.

You should also take less spicy foods, onions, garlic or mint. These foods can trigger reflux symptoms when taking Ozempic. If you have existing food intolerances, discuss them with your doctor before taking this drug.

Managing the Side Effects of Semaglutide

Once your body adapts to the medication, the side effects will disappear. But this will only work if you stick to certain lifestyle changes.

Avoid taking high-fat or oily foods since they need more time to digest. They also cause indigestion and bloating when combined with Semaglutide.
Separate your meals into small portions for your body to digest them easily.

Also, take adequate water to prevent constipation. If you fail to do this, your gut will suck out water from the food, leaving the undigested food dry.

If you have to eat a snack for your workout, go for one with simple carbohydrates. Simple carbs take less time to digest. As a result, you will have adequate energy for the workout.

You should also rest between your exercises if you start feeling muscle weakness. Take a simple carb snack while resting to replenish the energy lost.

Avoid consuming alcohol or smoking while taking Ozempic. Combining these substances with Semaglutide may trigger reflux symptoms. Your metabolic system will also have to work harder to regulate blood sugar.

How Ozempic Interacts with Other Medications

Combining Ozempic with other diabetes medications may increase the risk of complications. Tests carried out in animals show an increased cancer risk, particularly thyroid cancer. But no studies confirm the risk of complications in humans when combining Ozempic with other drugs.

Type 2 diabetes makes patients prone to kidney failure and heart disease. So, its treatment needs a careful approach to prevent these risk factors.

Your healthcare provider will ask you about other medications you are already taking before prescribing Semaglutide. They will also examine your medical history to determine your previous interactions with other medications.

If it took a while to get Ozempic for your type 2 diabetes, you might experience certain side effects. You will likely have diabetic eye disease until your body adapts to the drug.

Need a Natural Treatment for Acid Reflux and Heartburn?

While taking Ozempic, some people experience acid reflux, heartburn and flatulence. These side effects are manageable if they are mild. But to get there, understand how Semaglutide interacts with the digestive system, as discussed in this guide.

And if you would like an antacid alternative for acid reflux, consider GerdLi. Made using natural, gut-friendly ingredients, GerdLi can reduce stomach acid and heartburn symptoms. Explore the purchase options on our online shop today to get GerdLi for acid reflux.