Headaches are a possible side effect of Wegovy. Although these headaches are often mild and short term, they may interfere with your daily activities. Here’s what to know about headaches during Wegovy treatment and how to manage them.
Headaches are one of the more common side effects of Wegovy.
Headaches may happen with Wegovy for a few reasons. For example, Wegovy can:
- reduce your appetite, which may lead you to eat less, leading to hunger-related headaches
- cause severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, which may lead to dehydration, with headaches as a symptom
- lower your blood sugar, with headaches as a possible symptom
Other common side effects of Wegovy include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea.
If you have headaches during your Wegovy treatment, your doctor can help determine whether they’re from the drug or another factor and recommend adjustments to your treatment plan.
Steps you can take to help prevent or ease headaches during Wegovy treatment include:
Staying hydrated: Dehydration is a common cause of headaches. Some people using Wegovy may become dehydrated due to nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Be sure to drink plenty of water during treatment, especially if you have digestive side effects.
Eating on a regular schedule: Wegovy can reduce your appetite, which might lead to eating less or skipping meals. This can result in low blood sugar or hunger, which may both cause headaches.
If you think you have low blood sugar, check it and eat food to increase it if necessary. Eat balanced, consistent meals, even if you don’t feel hungry. This can help prevent low blood sugar and hunger-related headaches.
Limiting or avoiding alcohol: Wegovy and alcohol can both cause headaches. Drinking alcohol during your Wegovy treatment may increase your risk of headaches or worsen them. Alcohol also dehydrates, which may further increase this risk.
Getting enough sleep: Low sleep is a common cause of headaches. Aiming for 7 to 9 hours of restful sleep each night may lower your risk of having headaches.
Try over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers: OTC pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may help relieve headache pain. But take them only as needed, as frequent use may lead to medication overuse headaches and other side effects.
Most headaches related to Wegovy are mild and go away as your body adapts to the drug. But if headaches become severe or do not go away after a few days, talk with your doctor.
Be sure to mention whether you also have symptoms such as dizziness, sweating, or confusion. These may be symptoms of low blood sugar. Also, tell your doctor whether you have headaches with dry mouth or dark urine, as these can be symptoms of dehydration.
Headaches are a common side effect of Wegovy, but there are ways to manage them. If headaches do not improve or start to affect your daily activities, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether any changes to your treatment plan are necessary.