¹Gofron, Krzysztof Ksawery, et al. "Effects of GLP-1 Analogues and Agonists on the Gut Microbiota: A Systematic Review." Nutrients, vol. 17, no. 8, 2025, p. 1303. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17081303
Sulphur burps are a common but rarely mentioned side effect of Wegovy, whether you take it as an injection or the new Wegovy pill. With a taste or smell like rotten eggs, they tend to show up when you first start treatment or after a dose increase, and catch a lot of people off guard. You might also see them called eggy burps.
It comes down to how Wegovy works. Here's what causes them, how long they last, and how to get rid of them.
Taking Mounjaro instead? See our guide to sulphur burps on Mounjaro.
Key takeaways
- Wegovy sulphur burps are caused by hydrogen sulphide gas building up as semaglutide slows your digestion
- They're harmless and usually worst in the first few weeks, easing by around weeks 6 to 8
- Cutting back on high-sulphur foods like eggs, red meat and cruciferous vegetables makes the biggest long-term difference
- Simethicone (Wind-Eze), peppermint capsules and ginger tea can bring relief within 30 to 60 minutes
- Speak to your clinician if they're severe, persistent, or come with red-flag symptoms like vomiting, severe pain or fever
Treatment management
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What causes sulphur burps on Wegovy?
The cause is the way Wegovy slows your digestion. Semaglutide, whether taken as an injection or the oral pill, activates the GLP-1 receptor, which reduces the rate your stomach empties. Food sits there for longer, which is what keeps you feeling full. The downside is that gut bacteria get more time to break down sulphur-rich foods and release hydrogen sulphide, the gas behind the rotten-egg smell.
Burping and belching are common side effects of Wegovy. When they carry that rotten-egg smell, it's hydrogen sulphide causing it.
There's also early evidence that GLP-1 medications can shift the balance of gut bacteria, which may add to the effect.
Are sulphur burps worse on Wegovy or Mounjaro?
Sulphur burps can happen on both Wegovy and Mounjaro, and how badly you get them varies from person to person. Both slow your digestion, which is what triggers the burps, but it comes down to your own body rather than the medication itself. Plenty of people tolerate one better than the other, and there's no head-to-head research comparing the two directly.
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How long do sulphur burps last on Wegovy?
For most people, sulphur burps are worst in the first few weeks and settle by around weeks 6 to 8 as the body adjusts. Here's a rough guide:
Week
What to expect
Week 1:
may start, often in the first few days of treatment
Weeks 2 to 3:
usually at their most noticeable
Weeks 3 to 4:
start to ease
Weeks 6 to 8:
most people find they fade or stop
A dose increase can bring them back for a few days, but they usually settle quicker the second time, since your body has already been through the adjustment once.
If they're not improving after a few weeks, it's worth looking at your diet or speaking to your clinician about whether your current dose is right for you. Staying on a lower dose for a little longer can sometimes ease things within a week or two.
How to stop sulphur burps on Wegovy
There's no single remedy that works for everyone, but most people do well with a mix of quick relief when burps hit and a few changes to stop them coming back.
For fast relief
These can ease things within 30 to 60 minutes:
Simethicone (Wind-Eze, Infacol): anti-gas tablets that break up trapped gas bubbles. Safe to take alongside Wegovy.
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol): targets the rotten-egg smell itself rather than just masking it. Fine for the odd occasion, but not for long-term use without advice.
Peppermint: relaxes the gut and eases gas. Peppermint tea helps, though enteric-coated capsules like Colpermin reach the small intestine intact and tend to work better.
Ginger tea: supports digestion and cuts down on gas build-up.
A glass of water: the simplest option, helping move things through and dilute gas-producing compounds.
Activated charcoal: absorbs gas and odour, but don't take it within two hours of Wegovy or any other medication, as it can affect absorption.
A quick caveat: these remedies may interact with other medicines. Check with your clinician or pharmacist before starting anything new.
For the longer term
To stop the burps coming back, the most effective changes are dietary and habit-based:
Ease off high-sulphur foods while your body adjusts: eggs, dairy, red meat, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, garlic, beans and alcohol. Cut back rather than cut out, then reintroduce them gradually.
Eat smaller meals more often, so there's less food fermenting at any one time.
Stop eating two to three hours before bed, since food sitting overnight is a common cause of morning burps.
Take a short walk after meals to help digestion along.
Consider a daily probiotic to help rebalance your gut over time. It's not a quick fix, and it's worth checking with your clinician first, as probiotics aren't right for everyone.
Could it be H. pylori rather than Wegovy?
Not all sulphur burps are down to the medication. If yours started before you began Wegovy, are getting worse instead of better, or come with persistent stomach pain, nausea or bloating, it's worth ruling out H. pylori.
H. pylori is a common bacterial infection of the stomach lining, affecting up to 2 in 5 people in the UK. It's been linked to raised levels of the same sulphur compounds behind the rotten-egg smell. If your symptoms are unusually severe or not easing as expected, it's worth mentioning to your clinician. It's simple to test for, usually with a breath or stool test, and treatable with a short course of antibiotics.
Less commonly, sulphur burps can point to digestive conditions like IBS or acid reflux rather than the medication itself.
When should you speak to your clinician about Wegovy sulphur burps?
Sulphur burps on their own are rarely a cause for concern, but a few accompanying symptoms are worth acting on quickly. Speak to your clinician if you notice any of these red flags:
- Severe or ongoing stomach pain, especially high up or spreading to your back
- Vomiting that won't stop, or being unable to keep fluids down
- Blood in your vomit or stools, or black, tarry stools
- Yellowing of your skin or eyes, particularly with a fever
It's also worth getting in touch if your burps are severe, lasting longer than a few weeks, or not improving despite the lifestyle changes above.
If you're a Voy patient, you can message your clinician any time through the app.
Side effects support at Voy
"If you're using Voy and you experience any side effects, rest assured that our expert clinicians are just a message or phone call away. They can adjust your dose, prescribe medication to ease your symptoms, or simply offer reassurance.
Everyone responds differently to weight loss treatment and we'll help you find what feels right for you."
Finding the right treatment for you
Not everyone on Wegovy gets sulphur burps, and if you do, they're usually temporary. Between the quick fixes and the dietary changes above, most people find they can keep them manageable while their body settles into treatment.
If they don't ease, or side effects are putting you off altogether, it's worth knowing you have options. Your clinician might suggest staying on a lower dose for a little longer to give your body more time to adjust. If Wegovy still isn't the right fit, some people switch to Mounjaro, while others do better on a non-GLP-1 treatment like orlistat. Your clinician can help you weigh up what's right for you.
