The Weird Side Effects of Wegovy: What Patients Didn’t Expect
When people think about the side effects of Wegovy (semaglutide), the usual suspects come to mind: nausea, constipation, diarrhoea. These are well-documented in clinical trials and listed in the product leaflet. But ask patients themselves - especially on forums like Reddit - and you’ll find a much stranger list of effects, ranging from the quirky and surprising to the downright disruptive.
Some describe unexpected positives, like an aversion to alcohol or improved mood. Others report unusual sensations in their skin, changes in taste, restless legs, or vivid dreams. A few even say they’ve experienced rare complications requiring medical attention.
This article explores the "weird side effects" of Wegovy as shared by real users online. While not medical advice, these voices highlight the diversity of patient experiences - and the way GLP-1 medicines ripple through the body beyond appetite and digestion.
The Positive Surprises
Not all weird side effects are bad. In fact, some patients report unexpected benefits that make the medication feel even more transformative.
One of the most striking is a sudden disinterest in alcohol.
"I lost interest in alcohol. Alcohol is poison anyway, so I’m not sad about that one bit." -u/[deleted]
"I thought people reporting decreased interest in alcohol had to be too good to be true. But I’m five days in and already experiencing the aversion. This effect is miraculous." -u/Previous-Flan-2417
"Then along came Wegovy and like a light switch I just didn’t want to drink. Didn’t even think about it. The booze noise went away just like the food noise." -u/[deleted]
For some, this effect has felt life-changing, cutting off compulsive behaviours they had long struggled with.
Other positives include improvements in mental health and digestion:
"Depression is just gone… I haven’t felt this good in years and I’m barely losing weight yet!" -u/[deleted]
"I’m more focused on everything. After years of trying different SSRIs for anxiety, semaglutide has fixed what I’ve always had trouble with in my brain." -u/[deleted]
"I just started my second week and have noticed almost immediate, significant improvement with my IBS diarrhea and less anxiety." -u/designlady77
Some even note benefits outside of mood and appetite:
"Also: increased libido, fewer heart palpitations." -u/LittleKick
"Food tastes so much better! At first I thought I was imagining it, but nope, everything tastes awesome!" -u/[deleted]
For these patients, Wegovy doesn’t just change their weight - it alters their relationship with food, alcohol, and their own bodies in surprising ways.
Unexpected and Unusual Side Effects
For every positive surprise, there are plenty of strange or unsettling reactions. Many are sensory, involving skin sensitivity, restlessness, or insomnia.
"My weird symptoms are severe insomnia, skin sensitivity (feels like I have a rash or sunburned), and restless legs." -u/Few-Day-9341
"YESSSS!! Sensitive skin!! It’s in my lower back on my right side, no pain, just very sensitive to the touch and it travels around." -u/ChefCabrini
"The Wegovy makes my skin on my right foot super sensitive, restless leg syndrome and sleeplessness." -u/Plus_Honeydew_2592
Others describe itchiness or altered taste:
"My skin is very itchy. It never occurred to me it was Wegovy. Insomnia. Sensitive to salt and sugar - things that were normal are now too sweet or salty." -u/Wegovy1
Caffeine, which once powered daily routines, suddenly becomes intolerable:
"I’m hyper sensitive to caffeine now, only on 0.5. I went from a pot a day to maybe 2 cups before getting super jittery." -u/redditUserNo8
And then there are side effects that are simply odd:
"Has anyone had sphincter spasms from taking Wegovy?" -u/Cold-Elephant-4650
"I get flu-like symptoms for a few days after each shot. I also get hella dizzy if I get up too fast. I poop ok but have gross burps and can fart continuously for 30 seconds sometimes." -u/Still-Injury9299
"I’ve been having these weird random shooting pains throughout my body. Ranging from chest, leg, ear, knee, and lower back." -u/Carm180
"I’ve lost my sense of smell to a certain degree. Every smell is very muted apart from food/cooking smells which I can smell from a mile away." -u/cececaca
These unusual symptoms highlight how semaglutide’s action goes beyond the stomach, influencing the gut-brain axis, nervous system, and possibly immune responses.
Strange Food and Drink Reactions
Perhaps the quirkiest stories involve how patients react to foods and drinks they once loved.
"I can’t tolerate coffee anymore. I just don’t crave it. No caffeine." -u/mrk48546
"If you eat shit, you’re going to feel like shit. When I ate cleaner, all the symptoms were gone after a week." -u/DeepConversation291
"If I eat something greasy, red sauce or spicy, within an hour or two the heartburn and burps start." -u/DeepConversation291
For some, it’s not just caffeine or spice - it’s the whole way they think about food:
"I no longer crave alcohol and I don’t constantly feel the urge to get up and go somewhere. I’m no longer searching for that short-term dopamine hit." -u/[deleted]
This sense of calm around food, sometimes described as the disappearance of "food noise," is widely celebrated in the community. But it often comes with new sensitivities - an intolerance for greasy meals, or an exaggerated response to sugar.
The Emotional and Psychological Side
Wegovy’s impact isn’t confined to the body. Many users report shifts in mood and psychology that feel dramatic - sometimes positive, sometimes unsettling.
"Eating doesn’t stress me out anymore… I’m no longer controlled by cravings or ‘hanger.’" -u/[deleted]
"I’m suddenly and acutely aware of how distorted my thinking was around food my entire life… I have the opportunity to change my thought patterns." -u/[deleted]
Others see a reduction in anxiety and depression:
"Decrease in anxiety and depression… I crave healthier foods." -u/LittleKick
But not all emotional shifts are positive.
"Elevated heart rate and difficulty staying asleep, which creates a pretty bad feedback loop with my anxiety." -u/congratsonthat
The community stories underline how closely tied metabolism, mood, and mental health can be - and how GLP-1 medicines can influence them in surprising ways.
Why Might These Happen?
Patients often speculate about the causes behind their weird symptoms. A few common themes include:
- Gut-brain axis: GLP-1 medicines affect not just appetite, but also neurotransmitters linked to mood and cravings.
- Hormonal changes: Rapid weight loss and fat reduction can alter oestrogen levels, cortisol, and other hormones.
- Metabolic shifts: Sensitivity to caffeine, sugar, or alcohol may reflect how the body is processing stimulants differently with fewer calories.
- Dehydration and nutrition: With reduced food intake, patients may be consuming less fibre, salt, or micronutrients, making them more vulnerable to cramps, dizziness, or fatigue.
As one user put it:
"Dehydration is a big factor - as we eat less we need to drink more. Fat and sugar can make you sick on Wegovy." -u/Emergency_Shallot734
Coping Strategies from the Community
The good news is that many patients find ways to manage these unusual side effects.
"Fiber is your best friend. On Wegovy I needed to relearn what my body needs to be healthy." -u/Emergency_Shallot734
"I’ve heard using B12 or adding electrolytes helps, so I was going to grab some today." -u/mrk48546
"Don’t give up when you have side effects but figure out if anything you do or don’t do could be causing it." -u/Emergency_Shallot734
Some cut down on caffeine or alcohol, others focus on hydration and iron-rich foods to reduce fatigue. Many say the side effects fade after a few weeks as the body adapts.
When It Becomes Serious
While most weird side effects are harmless quirks, some patients report more severe complications.
"On 2.4 I developed gallbladder stones. I will most likely have my gallbladder removed." -u/Short-Pattern4898
"I developed interstitial cystitis - non-stop bladder burning - while on 2.4." -u/Short-Pattern4898
"Horrible stomachache, nothing helped. I went to the ER. They couldn’t find anything wrong. I’m done with this medicine." -u/mindys80
These cases underline the importance of distinguishing between tolerable side effects and those that require medical attention. Persistent pain, bladder burning, or severe digestive symptoms should never be ignored.
Expert Perspective
To help separate harmless quirks from red flags, we asked Alessandro Grenci, Superintendent Pharmacist at Medino, for his view.
"We’re learning that GLP-1 medicines like Wegovy affect far more than appetite. Many unusual effects - such as changes in taste, sleep, or mood - are likely linked to the gut-brain axis and hormonal shifts during weight loss. For most patients, these symptoms are temporary and manageable, but anything persistent or severe - such as abdominal pain, bladder issues, or constant insomnia - warrants medical review. My advice is not to dismiss strange effects, but also not to panic: talk to your GP or pharmacist so you can stay safe while continuing treatment."
Conclusion: Beyond the Label
The stories of Wegovy users show that side effects don’t always fit neatly into a leaflet. From itchy skin to sudden alcohol aversion, from restless legs to unexpected happiness, the medication seems to touch every corner of life.
For most, the weird side effects are temporary, manageable, or even positive. For some, they raise concerns that deserve a doctor’s attention.
Above all, these patient voices remind us that medicines like Wegovy are not just weight-loss tools - they are complex interventions that ripple through metabolism, hormones, and mood in unpredictable ways.
If you’re starting Wegovy and notice something strange, chances are someone else has too. And while community support is invaluable, professional advice is the safest way to make sure that the weird doesn’t become dangerous.
