In the body
Belly pain
Which belly pain needs care now, and what's known.
A few kinds of pain need care right away, so they come first.
When to get care
Now
If you have chest pain or tightness that may spread to your arm, neck or jaw, call emergency services now. Don't drive yourself.
The same with strong shortness of breath, cold sweat, or pale or grayish skin. It isn't a side effect of these medicines, but it's an emergency for anyone.
Now
If you have strong belly pain that won't go away, sometimes reaching your back, with or without vomiting, get emergency care now.
The labels say to stop the medicine and call your doctor. Heavy drinking is one of the most common causes of pancreatitis: if the pain came after drinking, don't wait it out.
Now
If you have pain in your upper belly with fever, or your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow, get emergency care now.
Pale, clay-colored stools can come with it. These can be gallbladder signs.
Now
If you vomit blood or something that looks like coffee grounds, or your vomit is green, call emergency services now.
The same for confusion, strong shortness of breath, or sudden, intense belly pain.
Now
If your belly is swollen and hard, with strong cramps and vomiting, and you can't poop or pass gas, get emergency care now.
The labels list reports of blocked bowel with these medicines.
Soon
If pain in your upper belly comes and goes, without fever, talk to your doctor in the next few days.
Gallstones are more common with these medicines.
Soon
If you go several days without a bowel movement and water, fiber and moving more don't help, talk to your doctor in the next few days.
This is for constipation without strong pain. It's very common with these medicines and can last for weeks.
What's known
In the STEP 1 trial, about 1 in 10 people on semaglutide reported belly pain, against about 1 in 20 on placebo. Almost all stomach and gut effects in these trials were mild or moderate.
Pancreatitis, an inflamed pancreas, was uncommon in the trials behind the labels: about 2 to 3 people in 1,000. Gallstones were more common than on placebo: in one label, 1.6% against 0.7%.
Heavy drinking is one of the most common causes of pancreatitis, with or without these medicines.
To take to your appointment
- I've had belly pain that comes and goes. Is it worth checking?
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