How Long Does Heartburn Last While on Ozempic?

October 11, 2025 •

4 min read

According to clinical trials, heartburn or acid reflux is a side effect reported by about 2% of people taking Ozempic. The duration of this symptom can vary, but it's typically a short-term issue that resolves as your body adjusts to the medication. This article will delve into why this happens and what you can do to manage the discomfort.

Quick Summary

Heartburn from Ozempic typically lasts a few days to several weeks as the body acclimates to the medication. It is caused by the drug's effect of slowing gastric emptying. Manage symptoms with diet, lifestyle changes, and over-the-counter remedies.

Key Points

Temporary Discomfort: Heartburn from Ozempic typically lasts a few days to a few weeks as your body adjusts to the medication.
Dosage-Related: Symptoms are most common when starting treatment or after a dose increase and tend to subside over time.
Mechanism of Action: Ozempic slows stomach emptying, which can increase pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter and cause acid reflux.
Lifestyle Management: Eating smaller meals, avoiding trigger foods, and not lying down after eating are effective ways to reduce heartburn.
Medication Relief: Over-the-counter options like antacids and H2 blockers, or prescription PPIs, can provide significant relief for symptoms.
When to See a Doctor: Seek medical advice if heartburn is severe, persistent for more than two weeks, or if you experience other serious GI issues.

Understanding Ozempic's Effect on Digestion

Ozempic, also known by its generic name semaglutide, belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). It is primarily prescribed for adults with type 2 diabetes to help control blood sugar, and is also used for weight management. A key mechanism of Ozempic's action is slowing down gastric emptying, which helps people feel full for longer and can aid in weight loss. However, this slowed digestion is the primary reason behind the gastrointestinal side effects, including heartburn.

When food remains in the stomach for an extended period, it can increase pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)—the muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach. If this pressure becomes too high, it can force stomach acid back up into the esophagus, causing the burning sensation known as heartburn.

How Long Can Heartburn Last?

For the majority of individuals, heartburn associated with Ozempic is a temporary condition. It is most likely to occur when you first start the medication or following an increase in your dosage. As your body grows accustomed to the drug, these side effects often diminish or disappear entirely within a few weeks. It is important to remember that individual experiences differ, and the exact duration can vary.

Initial Period: During the first few weeks of treatment, or after a dose increase, heartburn symptoms are most common.
Adjustment Phase: For most, symptoms will gradually subside as the body acclimates to the semaglutide.
Persistent Symptoms: If heartburn persists for more than two weeks, becomes severe, or is accompanied by other serious symptoms, it is crucial to speak with your healthcare provider.

Factors Influencing Heartburn Duration

Several factors can influence the severity and duration of heartburn while on Ozempic:

Dosage: Higher doses of Ozempic are often associated with more frequent and intense gastrointestinal side effects.
Pre-existing Conditions: Individuals with pre-existing gastrointestinal issues, such as GERD, may experience more pronounced or persistent symptoms.
Dietary Choices: Consuming trigger foods (spicy, fatty, or acidic items) can exacerbate symptoms and prolong discomfort.
Lifestyle Habits: Practices like lying down immediately after eating or wearing tight clothing can worsen acid reflux.

Management and Treatment Options

Managing heartburn on Ozempic often involves a combination of lifestyle adjustments and medication. Here are some effective strategies:

Lifestyle and Dietary Adjustments

Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals: This reduces the volume of food in your stomach at any given time, thereby decreasing pressure on the LES.
Identify and Avoid Trigger Foods: Pay attention to which foods and drinks worsen your symptoms. Common culprits include spicy foods, fatty foods, caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, and citrus fruits.
Elevate Your Head While Sleeping: Raising the head of your bed by 6-8 inches can use gravity to help prevent acid from refluxing into the esophagus during sleep.
Wait Before Lying Down: Avoid lying down for at least 3 to 4 hours after eating to give your stomach adequate time to empty.
Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing: Tight clothing, especially around the waist, can increase pressure on your stomach.


Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Prescription Medication	Medication Type	How It Works	Onset of Relief	Duration of Relief	Best For
Antacids (e.g., Tums, Rolaids)	Neutralizes stomach acid.	Within minutes.	1-2 hours.	Immediate, temporary relief.
H2 Blockers (e.g., Pepcid AC, Tagamet)	Reduces the amount of stomach acid produced.	About 1 hour.	Up to 10-12 hours.	Longer-lasting relief for more moderate symptoms.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) (e.g., Prilosec, Nexium)	Blocks the production of stomach acid.	1-4 days for full effect.	Up to 24 hours.	Persistent or severe heartburn; best for regular use.

When to Contact Your Doctor

While most Ozempic-related heartburn is temporary and manageable, you should contact your healthcare provider if:

Heartburn lasts for more than two weeks despite lifestyle and OTC treatments.
Symptoms are severe or unbearable.
Heartburn is accompanied by chest pain, which could be a sign of a more serious issue.
You experience persistent or severe vomiting, which could indicate a more serious condition like gastroparesis.
Your symptoms affect your ability to eat or sleep comfortably.

Conclusion

For those wondering how long does heartburn last while on Ozempic?, the answer is typically a few days to weeks as the body adjusts to the medication. Heartburn is a known side effect of Ozempic due to its mechanism of slowing gastric emptying. However, it is not a common side effect and most people can manage it effectively with dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes, and over-the-counter medication. If symptoms are severe or persistent, always consult a healthcare professional to explore further treatment options or rule out more serious conditions.

For more detailed prescribing information regarding Ozempic and its side effects, consult an official source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ozempic slows down the digestive process, causing food to remain in the stomach longer. This can increase pressure, pushing stomach acid back up into the esophagus and resulting in a burning sensation known as heartburn.

No, heartburn is not considered a common side effect. Clinical trials found that only about 2% of patients experienced heartburn while on Ozempic.

Heartburn is most likely to occur when you first begin treatment with Ozempic or after your healthcare provider increases your dosage.

To manage heartburn, it is best to avoid or limit trigger foods such as spicy, fried, or fatty foods, as well as chocolate, citrus, and mint. Limiting alcohol and caffeine can also help.

Yes, over-the-counter medications like antacids, H2 blockers (Pepcid AC), and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can be used to treat heartburn. It is best to consult your healthcare provider to find the most suitable option for you.

Lifestyle changes include eating smaller, more frequent meals, staying upright after eating, elevating the head of your bed, and wearing loose-fitting clothes. Staying hydrated is also beneficial.

You should see a doctor if your heartburn persists for more than two weeks, becomes severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms like persistent vomiting or intense stomach pain.

In rare cases, Ozempic can be associated with more serious gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastroparesis (stomach paralysis). Symptoms can include severe nausea, vomiting, and bloating. Any severe or persistent symptoms warrant immediate medical attention.