Rybelsus and gastroenteritis

[Kathy1960]

Hello everyone. I’m wondering if anyone has had experience of getting gastroenteritis while on Rybelsus (or any similar drugs - ozempic etc)? I started taking Rybelsus two months ago. I had some issues with constipation and diarrhoea but not too bad. Two weeks ago I had a tummy bug which only lasted a day, but I haven’t been right since. I’ve had reflux and various pains. I have been left with a very hard upper abdomen and sides - not painful but very uncomfortable and also feel incredibly tired. I have seen my GP twice and they say it’s a post gastroenteritis thing and will settle down eventually. Ive just got to rest, eat little and often and drink loads of water. I’ve had loads of blood tests and examinations and all my organs, heart, blood pressure etc are fine. I’ve been told to stop the Rybelsus. I feel the Rybelsus must have contributed to this. Has anyone else experienced anything similar? It’s really getting me down. Thank you.

 

[rebrascora]

With the upper body pain and "hardness" I would be concerned that it might be pancreatitis..... inflammation of the pancreas and I believe this can happen with these medications. Have you had any scans of your liver and pancreas? I know the pancreas is quite hard to see but it probably should be ruled out.

 

[Kathy1960]

With the upper body pain and "hardness" I would be concerned that it might be pancreatitis..... inflammation of the pancreas and I believe this can happen with these medications. Have you had any scans of your liver and pancreas? I know the pancreas is quite hard to see but it probably should be ruled out.

Hi Barbara - thank you so much for your reply. I was in A&E at one point during this saga and they checked everything out including my pancreas and gall bladder and my heart - everything was fine. I have since been back to my GP and had a thorough exam of my abdomen, so I think my pancreas is ok.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear abut your upset tum @Kathy1960

This can be quite a common side effect with rybelsus.

Have you been advised to take it on an empty stomach?

There’s an overview of rybelsus here:

Rybelsus - Uses, How it Works and Side Effects

Rybelsus is a type of medication you might need to take if you have type 2 dia

www.diabetes.org.uk

Which details nausea / vomiting / diarrhoea as possible side effects, though doesn’t list gastroenteritis specifcally. Is it possible your stomach upset is a reaction to the rybelsus rather than viral?

 

[Kathy1960]

Sorry to hear abut your upset tum @Kathy1960

This can be quite a common side effect with rybelsus.

Have you been advised to take it on an empty stomach?

There’s an overview of rybelsus here:

Rybelsus - Uses, How it Works and Side Effects

Rybelsus is a type of medication you might need to take if you have type 2 dia

www.diabetes.org.uk

Which details nausea / vomiting / diarrhoea as possible side effects, though doesn’t list gastroenteritis specifcally. Is it possible your stomach upset is a reaction to the rybelsus rather than viral?

Hi - thank you so much for your reply. I know Rybelsus can cause gastro problems and I had some before the bug. I know it was definitely a bug I had as my husband had it too - and some people at the place where he works. I think the Rybelsus might have aggravated the gastroenteritis and caused these ongoing symptoms. None of the medics have confirmed this, although they agree it could be the case. They have told me to stop the Rybelsus until I’m recovered - but I don’t feel inclined to start again after all this!