In short
On the U.S. labels, reflux affected up to 5% of people, indigestion up to 10% and burping up to 7%. One consensus links worse reflux to slower stomach emptying after starting. Smaller portions and not lying down after meals are the usual suggestions. The evidence is weak, and comes largely from one case discussion.
Get the free food guide for bad daysWhat expert groups suggest for nausea, no appetite, constipation, diarrhea and heartburn.
How common it is
| Label | Reflux (placebo) | Indigestion (placebo) | Burping (placebo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic (0.5, 1 mg) | 1.9%, 1.5% (0%) | 3.5%, 2.7% (1.9%) | 2.7%, 1.1% (0%) |
| Mounjaro (5, 10, 15 mg) | 1.7%, 2.5%, 1.7% (0.4%) | 8%, 8%, 5% (3%) | 3%, 2.5%, 3.3% (0.4%) |
| Wegovy (2.4 mg) | 5% (3%) | 9% (3%) | 7% (under 1%) |
| Zepbound (5, 10, 15 mg) | 4%, 4%, 5% (2%) | 9%, 9%, 10% (4%) | 4%, 5%, 5% (1%) |
Share of people in the labels' placebo-controlled trials. Ozempic and Mounjaro figures are from people with type 2 diabetes, and Zepbound and Wegovy from people with obesity or overweight, so the rows are not a comparison between medicines.
What experts suggest
This advice is general, and comes largely from one case discussion in an expert consensus.
- Eat smaller portions, more often, and not close to bedtime.
- Do not lie down soon after a meal.
- See whether these make it worse: coffee, tea, spicy food, cola, fatty or fried food, tomato, mint, chocolate, alcohol and fizzy drinks.
- Avoid drinking through a straw.
Mint is suggested for nausea and listed as a reflux trigger, so what helps one symptom may not help the other.
For more on meals, see what to eat on a GLP-1. If you also feel sick, read nausea and vomiting. The side effects guide covers other symptoms.
What to ask your prescriber
Short-term acid-reducing medicine, and waiting before a dose increase, are decisions for your prescriber. The labels say these medicines are not recommended in people with severe gastroparesis.
When to get help
The labels and Medication Guides name these. This is not the full list, so read the guide that came with your medicine.
- Severe stomach-area pain that will not go away, sometimes reaching your back, with or without vomiting. The guides say to stop the medicine and call your healthcare provider right away. It can be a sign of pancreatitis.
- Upper stomach pain, fever, yellow skin or eyes, or clay-colored stools. Call your provider. These can be gallbladder problems.
- Vomiting or diarrhea that does not go away. Tell your provider right away. The labels warn that fluid loss can lead to kidney injury, sometimes serious.
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction. Stop the medicine and get medical help right away.
If something is severe, sudden or frightening, get medical help. Do not wait to log it.
How Reko helps
Log heartburn the day it happens and note what you ate. Reko keeps your symptoms beside your doses, so you can show your prescriber when something began and how it changed. It does not tell you what a symptom means, and it never suggests a dose.
Questions people ask
Why do GLP-1 medicines cause heartburn?
One expert consensus says worse reflux may come from a temporary delay in stomach emptying after starting. The labels list the reactions but do not explain why they happen.
What foods make GLP-1 reflux worse?
A case discussion in that consensus names coffee, tea, spicy food, cola, fatty or fried food, tomato, mint, chocolate, alcohol and fizzy drinks. This is weak evidence, so see what affects you.
Can I take an antacid with a GLP-1?
The consensus mentions short-term acid-reducing medicine. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist, especially if you take other medicines.
Does the label mention sulfur burps?
No. The labels list burping, under the term eructation, and do not describe its smell.
Will it improve?
One consensus says reflux symptoms improve as weight falls. If yours are severe or do not go away, tell your provider.
Reko records what you and your prescriber decide. This guide is general information and not medical advice.
Read next
Recipes to try
These are ordinary recipes and do not treat any side effect.
Useful tools
- Mounjaro prescribing information on DailyMed. Checked 2 November 2026.
- Zepbound prescribing information on DailyMed. Checked 2 November 2026.
- Ozempic prescribing information on DailyMed. Checked 2 November 2026.
- Wegovy prescribing information on DailyMed. Checked 2 November 2026.
- Gorgojo-Martínez JJ et al. Clinical recommendations to manage gastrointestinal adverse events in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists: a multidisciplinary expert consensus. J Clin Med 12(1):145. An expert consensus, not a trial.
- Mozaffarian D et al. Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: a joint advisory. Am J Clin Nutr 2025;122(1):344-367. Mostly expert opinion.