Ozempic is a popular drug for type 2 diabetes that people also use for weight loss. While it can cause common side effects like nausea and diarrhea, but some people notice a weird one, the burps that smell like rotten eggs.
This isn’t an official side effect, but many people from Reddit and some doctors have talked about it. It happens because Ozempic slows down digestion, so food sits in your stomach longer and produces smelly gas. It’s not dangerous but sometimes it can be pretty unpleasant. You might notice these burps when you first start taking Ozempic or after eating greasy, fatty foods.
In today’s article, we’ll cover what causes sulfur burps, who gets them, how to manage them, and when to see a doctor. We’ll use medical advice and real stories to help you deal with this side effect.
How Ozempic Affects Digestion and Leads to Sulfur Burps
Ozempic works by imitating a hormone called GLP-1, which helps control blood sugar. It slows down how quickly your stomach empties, makes you feel full longer, and reduces your appetite key reasons it helps with weight loss. Because food stays in your stomach longer, bacteria break down certain proteins (like those in eggs, meat, or broccoli), producing a gas that can cause burps.
This “sulfur burp” phenomenon is common across GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro). Studies show that 10-15% of users may get them, though they aren’t often reported in trials.
A 2025 review in Practical Diabetes says they depend on the dose and certain foods, but often go away after 4-12 weeks as your body gets used to the drug. Unlike serious side effects like pancreatitis, sulfur burps are harmless but show the drug’s strong effect on the gut.
Related: Can Ozempic Cause Swollen Lymph Nodes?
Prevalence and Clinical Evidence
Tests for Ozempic (SUSTAIN and STEP) list upset stomach and gas as side effects, but not sulfur burps. This is because sulfur burps are based on personal feelings. But, later reports to the FDA and EMA show thousands of cases. People call them “rotten egg burps” or a “sulfur taste.” A 2025 review by Drugs.com and SingleCare found it is a top-searched side effect. Online forums suggest it affects 5-20% of users, which for some is more than feeling sick.
People who use mixed semaglutide say it’s worse, maybe because of other things mixed in. For most people, it doesn’t last long. It gets worse when they eat fatty foods or foods with a lot of sulfur.
User Experiences: What Real People Say
Users on Reddit (r/Ozempic, r/Semaglutide) and Facebook often talk about sulfur burps as “the worst part” of starting treatment. They describe them as “rotten eggs” or “sewer gas.” Many feel this strongly during weeks 1-4 on low doses.
Positive: “The sulfur burps were awful during the first month on 0.5 mg—smelled terrible—but they went away by week 8 after I made some diet changes.”
Mixed: “I still get them after eating greasy food, but Pepto and probiotics help get rid of them quickly.”
Negative: “I had to stop at 1 mg because the constant egg burps made me feel sick all the time. I switched to Mounjaro, and it’s been much better.”
Drugs.com reviews often talk about “sulfur/rotten egg burps” and nausea. Many feel embarrassed, which lowers ratings. Most say it gets better with time or small changes and rarely leads to stopping the medication.
Risk Factors and Who Is More Affected
Sulfur burps are more common in some people because of their diet, their dose, or their body. Eating foods high in protein, fat, or sulfur (like eggs, meat, broccoli, and garlic) can cause more gas. Higher doses (1 mg and up) slow down digestion even more, which makes burps more likely.
New users or those titrating up face peak symptoms in early weeks. Compounded versions may worsen due to fillers.
Here’s a table of risk factors:
Managing Sulfur Burps on Ozempic
Most people feel better with small changes over time. Avoid foods like eggs, red meat, broccoli, and dairy. Stick to low-sulfur options like rice, chicken, and bananas.
- Over-the-counter medicine: Medicines like Pepto-Bismol or Gas-X can help get rid of gas quickly. Many people find they work right away.
- Probiotics and enzymes: Taking digestive enzymes like Beano or probiotics can help your stomach break down food better.
- Eating habits: Eat smaller meals more slowly. Chewing your food well helps you swallow less air.
- What you drink: Try drinking peppermint tea or water with lemon. If it doesn’t upset your stomach, take Ozempic with a meal.
- Simple activities: Go for a walk after you eat to help with digestion. Stay away from fizzy drinks.
These strategies, recommended by Healthline and user communities, eliminate burps for 80-90% within weeks.
When to Consult a Doctor
Contact your provider iif you have sulfur burps that are severe, last for more than 4 weeks, or come with vomiting, bad stomach pain, blood in your stool, or sudden weight changes. These could be signs of conditions like gastroparesis or SIBO. Serious stomach problems should be checked. If your symptoms are very bad, you can also report them to the FDA.
Conclusion
Ozempic can sometimes cause sulfur burps because it slows down your digestion, leading to gas. This doesn’t happen to everyone and usually goes away on its own. You can often manage it with simple changes to your diet. Knowing what causes it makes this annoying side effect easier to handle. Just keep an eye on it and talk to your doctor if you’re worried.
FAQs
Does Ozempic directly cause sulfur burps?
Sulfur burps aren’t a direct side effect of Ozempic but happen because it slows digestion. This can cause food to ferment and make gas with a sulfur smell. It’s common at the start or after eating high-protein meals. Most go away as your body adjusts or with simple changes.
How long do sulfur burps last on Ozempic?
Sulfur burps usually happen in the first 4-8 weeks or after raising the dose. They often go away as your body adjusts. Sometimes, they stick around due to certain foods but can get better with remedies like Pepto or low-sulfur diets. If they last over 2 months, see a doctor.
Who gets sulfur burps more on Ozempic?
People on higher doses, those who eat sulfur-rich foods like eggs or broccoli, and those with sensitive stomachs are more likely to get them. Using compounded versions or increasing the dose too quickly also raises the risk. Drinking enough water and changing your diet can help a lot.
What helps sulfur burps from Ozempic?
Pepto-Bismol, probiotics, and simethicone can help. Avoid heavy meals, eat smaller portions, chew slowly, and try peppermint tea. Combining these works for most people.
When are sulfur burps serious on Ozempic?
Get help if you also have bad pain, keep throwing up, see blood, or have signs of an infection. While rare, this could mean a serious stomach problem. If the burps don’t stop even with treatment, talk to your doctor about other options.
Trusted Resources
- Drugs.com: Ozempic Side Effects – https://www.drugs.com/sfx/ozempic-side-effects.html
- Healthline: Ozempic Side Effects – https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/ozempic-side-effects
- Reddit: Sulfur burps on Ozempic – https://www.reddit.com/r/Ozempic/comments/12p0q5z/sulfur_burps/
- SingleCare: Ozempic sulfur burps – https://www.singlecare.com/blog/ozempic-sulfur-burps/
- Medical News Today: Ozempic side effects – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/drugs-ozempic-side-effects
- Mayo Clinic: Semaglutide side effects – https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/semaglutide-injection/side-effects/drg-20406730
- WebMD: Ozempic reviews – https://reviews.webmd.com/drugs/drugreview-174491-ozempic-subcutaneous
