Tips to beat nausea: the most common weight loss drug side effect

Tanya Reynard | Last update: 1st May 2025

Why does nausea happen?

GLP-1 medications, like Wegovy, Mounjaro and Saxenda work by mimicking hormones that regulate appetite and digestion. These hormones slow down how quickly your stomach empties (known as gastric emptying), which helps you feel full longer but can lead to feelings of nausea, especially as your body adjusts to the treatment.

Common triggers for nausea:

• Taking the medication on an empty stomach
• Eating heavy, greasy, or spicy meals
• Overeating or undereating
• Drinking alcohol alongside treatment

Understanding these triggers is the first step to managing your discomfort.

Easy lifestyle changes to reduce nausea

Making small tweaks to your routine can make big differences. 

1. Eat smaller, more frequent meals

• Avoid large meals that can overwhelm your stomach.
• Try eating five to six small meals throughout the day.

2. Stay hydrated

• Sip water slowly rather than drinking large amounts at once.
• Avoid fizzy drinks, which can worsen bloating and nausea.

3. Avoid trigger foods

• Steer clear of greasy, fried, or spicy foods.
• Limit alcohol, as it can irritate your stomach.
• Don’t eat too close to bedtime — give your body time to digest.

4. Don’t force yourself to eat

• If you’re not hungry, opt for light, easy-to-digest options like crackers or toast.

5. Take your medication with food

• If nausea occurs when taking the medication on an empty stomach, try having a small meal or snack first.

Over-the-counter and natural remedies

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, consider these safe options:

1. Ginger

• Ginger tea, ginger chews, or even fresh ginger can help settle your stomach naturally.

2. Peppermint

• Peppermint tea or lozenges are another natural option to ease nausea.

3. Anti-nausea medications

• Over-the-counter remedies like meclizine or antihistamines may help. Always consult your prescriber before adding new medications.

4. Acupressure

• Wristbands designed to combat motion sickness can provide relief by applying pressure to specific points on your wrist.

Don’t let nausea hold you back

Nausea can be frustrating, but it’s often temporary and manageable. By making small adjustments to your diet and routine, you can reduce discomfort and stay on track with your weight-loss goals. As one of our SlimrChat members, Claire, shared,

“When I started GLP-1 treatment, the nausea caught me off guard. I realised I was eating too fast and skipping meals, which made it worse. Now, I prep smaller meals ahead of time and always carry ginger tea with me… small things but they really did make a difference!” 

Remember, your doctor or healthcare provider is there to help if symptoms persist.

Other side effects you may be experiencing

Weight-loss medications can be really effective, but like all treatments, they can come with side effects. Not everyone experiences them, and for most, they are temporary and manageable but some of the more common are tiredness, constipation and bloating. Check out our other articles on side effects, why they happen, what you may experience and how you can manage them:

Tips for constipation relief

Feeling bloated? Tips to ease the discomfort

How have you managed nausea on GLP-1 treatments? You may have found a new way of managing it or one of these tips useful. If so, please share your experience with the SlimrChat community and help others find relief. Click the button below and join the chat now!