Wegovy headaches: causes, relief, and when to worry

Yes, headaches are a very common side effect of Wegovy (semaglutide), which means it can affect more than 1 in 10 people who take it. Very common Wegovy side effects, like headaches, are usually more likely:

• at the start of treatment
• when you increase your dosage following the dosage schedule

It’s likely to go away as your body adjusts to the dose you’re currently taking.

The exact reason that Wegovy causes headaches is not known. It’s more likely to be a direct impact of lifestyle changes, how you look after yourself during treatment, and how your body responds to these changes, rather than Wegovy itself being the cause.

Some reasons that you might get headaches on Wegovy include:

• being dehydrated – you need to drink plenty of water while taking Wegovy and while losing weight, to keep your body hydrated and healthy
• other Wegovy side effects – Wegovy can cause side effects like feeling or being sick, which can lead to eating less or dehydration, both of which can cause headaches as a symptom
• not eating enough – Wegovy reduces your appetite, so it’s easier to eat less, but eating too little can cause hunger-related headaches or could cause your body to stress as it’s not getting enough nutrition, which can also cause headaches
• having low blood sugar* – Wegovy can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in people with and without diabetes, and headaches that come on with other symptoms may be a sign of this
• tiredness – another very common side effect of Wegovy is tiredness, so if you’re feeling tired and not managing to get enough sleep or rest, you might get headaches
• stress – losing weight can be stressful on the mind and body, such as reducing your food intake, exercising more, and trying to break any old habits like snacking, and stress can cause headaches

*Low blood sugar is a common side effect of Wegovy if you have diabetes (especially if you take other diabetes medications), and uncommon in people without diabetes. The symptoms of low blood sugar, as well as headaches, include:

• cold sweats (feeling clammy) and cold, pale skin
• fast heartbeat
• feeling sick (nausea)
• feeling very hungry
• vision changes
• sleepiness or weakness
• feeling confused, nervous, or anxious
• trouble concentrating
• shaking

You must speak to a doctor if you get these symptoms on Wegovy, or call 999 in an emergency.

Very common Wegovy side effects, including headaches, were reported in clinical trials to happen more often when treatment is started or after a dose increase, and patients reported that they went away over time.

However, Wegovy headaches can happen at any time during treatment, but not every headache that you get on Wegovy is caused by Wegovy, and could be for other reasons, including dehydration, not eating enough, stress, or tiredness.

Migraines are not reported as a side effect of Wegovy. This does not mean you cannot get migraines on Wegovy, but the cause is probably not the medication, but something else. If you have side effects of Wegovy, such as nausea or vomiting, this can make you feel unwell and may trigger a migraine, especially if you’re prone to them.

While Wegovy does not directly cause migraines, it’s important to speak to a doctor if you’re getting migraines for the first time while on Wegovy, or if your migraines get worse. Make sure you’re eating well and eating enough calories, getting plenty of rest, and drinking lots of water during your weight loss journey with Wegovy, as this can help reduce the chance of migraines.

Wegovy headaches as a side effect might last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. You might get the occasional headache or have longer, persistent headaches. It’s important to tell your doctor if you’re getting headaches on Wegovy, especially if they get worse or do not go away after a few weeks of treatment.

Here we share some tips on managing and preventing headaches on Wegovy:

1. Taking Wegovy properly and as prescribed, such as at the same time and day every week, might reduce side effects. This is because your body gets used to the treatment pattern over time, and the levels in your body will remain more consistent this way.
2. Drinking enough water is very important while taking Wegovy, especially if you do get nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea as a side effect. Headaches are very common if you are dehydrated. 8 or more glasses of water a day is recommended, so make sure to always carry a bottle of water with you and avoid going hours without a drink.
3. Make sure to eat regularly and eat enough throughout the day. While the aim of taking Wegovy is to reduce your calorie intake and lose weight, you still need to be eating enough to get all the right nutrition and important food groups into your body. This includes protein, healthy carbohydrates and fats, and plenty of fruit and veg for vitamins and minerals. Avoid skipping meals, and eat little and often to keep your blood sugar stable.
4. Avoiding alcohol is a good idea if you’re getting Wegovy headaches. Alcohol can cause headaches and dehydration, and make side effects from Wegovy more likely.
5. Sleeping well is an important part of any weight loss journey. Tiredness and poor sleep can often lead to headaches, so make sure you’re getting at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. You may find that you’re more tired than usual, especially if you’re exercising more and eating less, so take plenty of time to rest when you need to.
6. Use over-the-counter medications, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help manage headaches if you get them. Other ways to manage headaches include:

• getting plenty of rest
• drinking lots of water
• using a cold or hot compress on your forehead

You should see a doctor if you have Wegovy headaches that are:

• persistent
• severe
• affecting your life

If Wegovy headaches and other side effects are ongoing after making lifestyle changes or lowering your dose with the help of your doctor, they may recommend stopping Wegovy. If you still want to take weight loss medication, you can switch to Mounjaro or another weight loss treatment.