Sulphur Burps on Mounjaro: Causes, Timeline, and How to Stop Them
When people talk about the side effects of Mounjaro (tirzepatide), they usually mention nausea, constipation or appetite loss. But hidden in Reddit threads, support groups and late-night forums is a very specific complaint - one that’s far less talked about, far more embarrassing, and memorable for all the wrong reasons: sulphur burps.
These foul-smelling, rotten-egg belches take users by surprise. They show up suddenly, often at night, and linger far longer than anyone expects. The smell can be so strong that some users describe sleeping separately from partners, avoiding social events, or dreading their injection day each week.
For some, sulphur burps come and go. For others, they remain a recurring nuisance throughout treatment. And while the experience is common, the reasons, timing and solutions vary enormously from person to person.
This article brings together real-world experiences to help explain what sulphur burps are, why they happen on Mounjaro, when they tend to appear, and what people have found helpful - all through the voices of those who’ve lived it.
"These things are awful" - what sulphur burps feel like for real users
Anyone who’s had sulphur burps knows they are in a category of their own. The smell is unmistakable - a mix of rotten eggs, sewage and sulphur. For many, the shock of the first episode is unforgettable.
One user summed it up simply:
"Yes, and they are a nightmare… I’ve been on this medicine for a year and a half and they still come and go." -Yourmom4378
Another described the effect on their relationship, explaining how disruptive the smell can be:
"It’s like rotten eggs and regret at 2am… my poor husband can’t sleep next to me." -SAMzabulaza
And some experiences are so intense they border on the absurd:
"Off and on, he has experienced horrible belching that clears the room." -RstyTsty
For many, these burps aren’t just unpleasant - they’re humiliating. People describe trying to breathe through their shirt, isolating themselves at work, or silently praying nobody hears or smells what just escaped.
When sulphur burps tend to appear
While the timing varies significantly, many users notice clear patterns that repeat week after week. One of the strongest trends is burps appearing right after an injection.
One user shared:
"I’ve gotten them the worst right after shot day." -lovelybethanie
Others notice a delay, with symptoms hitting days after administration:
"They always happen day 2–3 of my week. Doesn’t matter how I eat." -NoReplacement3326
Dose increases also seem to amplify the problem. When people move from 5mg up to 7.5mg or 10mg, the gut slowdown can intensify sharply:
"I got them for the first time going up to 7.5 last week." -DaffodilPeonyRose
For some, burps show up primarily in the evenings. For others, they strike the moment they lie down. Several note the burps are accompanied by bloating, gurgling, or gas moving slowly through the system.
What causes sulphur burps on Mounjaro?
Sulphur burps aren’t unique to GLP-1 medications, but they’re certainly more common with them - and users often articulate the cause long before any medical explanation is offered.
One user put it plainly:
"It’s related to slowed gastric processes - the food is fermenting in your stomach." -nelly8888
For many, the issue is incomplete digestion. When food sits in the stomach longer than it should, bacteria break it down anaerobically, releasing sulphur-containing gases. Another user described the sensation when certain foods don’t break down properly:
"I think it’s hard for me to digest leafy greens… they slowly rot in my stomach." -truthswillsetyoufree
And in many cases, the cause is simply overeating - or eating what the slowed stomach can’t handle anymore:
"Eating more than you can now digest can definitely give you sulfur burps." -Egs_Bmsxpert7270
This is consistent with how Mounjaro works: the drug slows gastric emptying, reduces appetite and delays the movement of food through the gut. The result? More fermentation, more gas - and occasionally, the unmistakable smell of sulphur.
Food triggers users frequently mention
While sulphur burps can happen regardless of diet, certain foods appear again and again in user reports. For some, a single food triggers them; for others, it's the combination of slowed digestion and sulphur-rich meals.
One user explained:
"Broccoli and Brussels sprouts do it for me." -MediumSand9517
Another singled out ingredients that are notorious for causing sulphur-based gas:
"Anything containing garlic or onions." -Agitated-Magazine392
Others have trouble with high-sulphur proteins:
"Mushrooms and eggs don’t help due to the high sulphur content." -5park2ez
These foods aren’t inherently problematic - but when combined with the slowed digestion Mounjaro induces, their breakdown can intensify the smell dramatically.
What helps? Remedies real users swear by
Users try everything - from supplements to hacks to old-school remedies. The most common success stories revolve around digestive support, gut motility and probiotics, though results differ from person to person.
One of the most mentioned solutions is Pepto:
"Pepto Ultra… has to be the ultra. It’s the only thing that helps." -Yourmom4378
Others rely on herbal supports that soothe the stomach and help gas move along more efficiently:
"Peppermint oil capsules were a total game changer for me." -Magic_Fred
And some swear by simple probiotics or fermented drinks to rebalance gut bacteria:
"A yoghurt drink in the morning stopped the burps for me." -Corsairi (Actimel)
Notably, remedies seem to work best when combined with smaller meals, slower eating, and avoiding known triggers near injection day.
What users tried that didn’t work
Not every remedy works for everyone - and many users go through long trial-and-error before finding even partial relief.
One user described their disappointment when probiotics backfired:
"Probiotic supplements gave me cramps and then the burps came back." -Corsairi
Another found that the popular peppermint option wasn’t helpful at all:
"Peppermint tablets unfortunately don’t work for me." -sarahjackson1987
And some users eliminate whole categories of food without seeing improvements:
"Cut out beef but still getting them… even eating completely clean." -DustGloomy7207
This variability mirrors the broader pattern: sulphur burps don’t have a single cause - and therefore don’t have a single solution.
When it’s not about food - dose changes, digestion and timing
A significant percentage of users eventually discover their sulphur burps aren't tied to what they eat at all. Instead, they correlate directly with dose changes.
One person noticed:
"I only got them when I went up a dose." -JoshTheSuff
Another saw the same pattern during the early weeks of treatment:
"Going up a dose increases it for sure." -[deleted]
And some experience only short-term issues that resolve as the body adapts:
"I had them only after the first two shots… then they disappeared." -dadsgoingtoprison
These stories suggest that for many people, sulphur burps are a temporary response to rapid changes in gut motility. Once the stomach adjusts, the symptoms may fade even without dietary changes.
The relationship impact - embarrassment, sleep disruption and frustration
Sulphur burps can be emotionally and socially exhausting. Partners may laugh at first, but when the smell becomes intense or nightly, it can be genuinely disruptive.
One user shared how it affects their home life:
"My poor husband can’t sleep next to me because of the smell." -SAMzabulaza
Another said the issue affects nighttime routines entirely:
"We can’t even sleep in the same room when he gets these." -RstyTsty
And one person revealed just how overpowering the smell can be:
"I accidentally Dutch ovened myself into vomiting… the smell was so bad." -D2372
These moments add embarrassment to an already unpleasant physical symptom - another reason people search so urgently for solutions.
Tips from the community for preventing sulphur burps
The most helpful tips from users revolve around portion size, timing, hydration, and injection site adjustments.
One user described the importance of eating more gently:
"Eat small meals throughout the day and avoid greasy rich foods." -nelly8888
Another said hydration makes a noticeable difference:
"Drink a lot of water around shot day - hydration makes a huge difference." -DaffodilPeonyRose
And some discovered that where they inject the medication matters:
"Switch your injection site - stomach gave me nasty burps, but not arm or leg." -InterestingEagle4702
These strategies don’t guarantee results, but many users report meaningful improvements once they adjust meal size, timing and how they administer their weekly dose.
When to seek medical advice
While sulphur burps themselves aren’t dangerous, they can be a red flag when accompanied by vomiting, severe nausea, stomach pain, or inability to keep food down.
One user recounted:
"I woke up and projectile vomited… twice." -SuchWar66
Another described early digestive distress:
"I had some bad stomach pains when I first went on 5mg." -Right-Investment-861
And for some, symptoms were severe enough to impact work:
"I had to take two sick days off work, I was so ill." -Ok_Appointment4475
This is where a healthcare professional becomes important - especially if symptoms escalate or interfere with daily life.
Pharmacist Alessandro Grenci adds:
"Sulphur burps happen because Mounjaro slows stomach emptying, which can allow food to ferment and create sulphur gases. They’re unpleasant but usually temporary and often settle once your body adjusts to the dose. If you’re experiencing severe vomiting, dehydration or persistent abdominal pain, it’s important to speak to a GP or pharmacist to rule out more serious digestive issues." -Alessandro Grenci, Superintendent Pharmacist at Medino
Conclusion: You’re not imagining it - and you’re definitely not alone
Sulphur burps are one of the most disliked side effects of Mounjaro, and they can feel isolating, embarrassing and difficult to manage. But user experiences show clear patterns: the burps are extremely common, usually linked to dose, digestion, or specific foods, and often improve with time as the body adapts.
One user put it plainly:
"It doesn’t matter what I eat - they always happen." -NoReplacement3326
Another tried to keep a sense of humour:
"Yeah, they suck… but if we’re losing, it’s one of those things." -Ornery-Park2205
And for some, patience eventually pays off:
"I’ve had them for a year and nothing made them better… until recently things eased." -Soccer-mom-2012
For most people, sulphur burps do not last forever - and even when they persist, many find techniques that significantly reduce their frequency or intensity. Most importantly, you’re not alone in dealing with them, and understanding the patterns makes them easier to manage.
