Wegovy (semaglutide) is a brand-name injection used to help reduce excess weight in some adults and children. Wegovy may cause a bad taste in your mouth due to its effects on your digestive system.
Wegovy is prescribed along with a balanced diet and increased exercise for the following uses:
- to help with weight loss and long-term weight management in:
- adults and children ages 12 years and older with obesity
- adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes
- to lower the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as stroke in adults with heart disease who either have overweight or obesity
Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which belongs to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists drug class.
GLP-1 medications mimic the GLP-1 hormone that your gastrointestinal (GI) tract produces naturally. Wegovy causes food to remain in your stomach longer. This delays digestion and creates a sensation of fullness.
Some people may experience a bad taste in their mouth while using Wegovy. This may include a metallic, salty, or generally unpleasant sensation. The medical term for this is dysgeusia.
In this article, we describe the nature of taste changes with Wegovy and some possible causes.
As with other medications, Wegovy can cause side effects. Some of the more common side effects in the drug’s clinical trials were GI symptoms, including diarrhea and vomiting. These trials reported participants experiencing dysgeusia (bad taste in the mouth), but this was not common.
Dysgeusia has also been reported by people taking an oral form of semaglutide. (Rybelsus is a brand-name oral tablet form of this drug.) In this small study, the most common description was a metallic taste in the tongue and mouth. It started after 2 weeks of treatment and continued throughout the observation period (6 months).
If you notice an unusual or bad taste in your mouth during Wegovy treatment, you may be experiencing dysgeusia. Symptoms of dysgeusia
- metallic taste
- salty taste
- rancid or foul taste
- a burning sensation in your mouth
If side effects of Wegovy bother you, do not go away, or if they become severe, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend ways to help prevent or treat them.
Researchers don’t know yet why some people experience taste issues while taking Wegovy or other forms of semaglutide.
But it may be related to how Wegovy works for weight loss. Semaglutide (Wegovy’s active ingredient) causes food to exit your stomach more slowly than usual (
- acid reflux
- belching, especially sulfur burps
- flatulence (gas)
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the change in taste some people experience is actually the smell of burps. More research is needed to determine whether this is the case.
Does semaglutide change your sense of taste?
It’s possible. Studies in a
Since semaglutide mimics the function of GLP-1, the drug may alter your perception of sweet foods and reduce your desire to eat them. One recent study suggests that semaglutide and other similar drugs may be studied for future use as taste-altering medications.
If you’d like more information about how Wegovy may affect your sense of taste, talk with your doctor.
Halitosis (bad breath) was not reported as a side effect in clinical trials of Wegovy or Ozempic. It’s also not a known side effect of another GLP-1, tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound).
Bad breath may be a symptom of a bowel obstruction. Bowel obstruction is a blockage in your intestines that prevents undigested food and stool from moving through your digestive tract. A buildup of undigested food and stool in your digestive tract may cause bad breath.
Bowel obstruction was not a reported side effect in Wegovy clinical trials. However, constipation is a common side effect of Wegovy. Having long-term constipation may increase your risk of bowel obstruction.
Bowel obstruction is a potentially serious condition that requires medical attention. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have constipation that’s bothersome or lasts longer than a week.
Also, let your doctor know if you have concerns about bad breath with Wegovy. They can discuss potential causes with you and help find ways to manage or prevent bad breath.
The following lifestyle practices may help prevent and treat bad breath and frequent belching:
- follow a dental hygiene routine to keep your mouth and gums healthy, including:
- use fluoride-containing toothpaste
- brush your teeth twice per day
- use a mouthwash
- change a few things in your diet to help digestion and reduce gas, such as:
- increasing your water intake
- avoiding carbonated beverages, which can cause burps
- consuming probiotic foods
- avoiding high quantities of protein in single meals, which can further slow your digestion
- increase your daily physical activity to help your body digest food (Wegovy is prescribed in conjunction with increased physical activity and a reduced calorie diet)
If you experience taste issues or other bothersome side effects while using Wegovy or another semaglutide medication, talk with your doctor or a pharmacist.
Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms and investigate possible causes. This may include tests to rule out a taste disorder. In some cases, they may alter your dosage of Wegovy to help reduce side effects.
Wegovy is a prescription-only medication that a healthcare professional may prescribe to help assist with weight loss or lower the risk of certain cardiovascular problems. It contains the active ingredient semaglutide, which can cause belching and unpleasant tastes in your mouth as a side effect.
Researchers don’t fully understand the cause of these side effects. However, they may be due to slowed digestion from semaglutide. Some research suggests the drug may also have a direct effect on your sense of taste.
Certain lifestyle changes may help reduce some Wegovy side effects. If these don’t work, your doctor may be able to recommend other treatment options. If necessary, they may adjust your Wegovy treatment plan.