It’s true that Mounjaro weight loss injections can come with side effects, like nausea, constipation and…eggy burps?
Yep—it’s a thing, we’re afraid. Officially, these are called sulphur burps, and they smell like rotten eggs thanks to the hydrogen sulphide gas that causes them.
While egg burps aren’t exactly pleasant, the good news is that they’re not usually something to be too worried about. That said, it’s perfectly understandable that you would want to get rid of them! Here’s what you need to know about Mounjaro and egg burps—and how to make them go away.
What are sulphur burps?
Everybody burps—it’s a way for your body to release gas from your gut. In fact, it typically happens up to 30 times per day.
Sulphur burps are caused by a buildup of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which gives that delightful eggy smell. Certain bacteria (aptly called sulphate-reducing bacteria) make H2S when foods that contain sulphur are broken down in the gut.
This is the main way H2S is produced in the gut. And it’s a natural process: it’s totally normal to have some H2S in your digestive system. But when there’s higher levels of it, it can cause egg-smelling burps.
Can Mounjaro cause sulphur burps?
Okay, but what causes sulphur burps on Mounjaro? It may be down to the medicine’s effect on the gut.
One of the ways that Mounjaro works to make you feel full is slowing down your rate of digestion. That means that food sits in your stomach for longer, which allows for more gas to build up.
There’s also a theory that Mounjaro might affect the makeup of bacteria that live in your gut, which could potentially play a role here as well. But we don’t fully understand how Mounjaro impacts gut bacteria, so we can’t say for sure just yet.
How long do sulphur burps last on Mounjaro? It’s hard to say because everyone’s different, but gut-related side effects tend to come on when your dose increases and clear over time.
FYI: up to one in ten people might experience burping as a Mounjaro side effect.
How to stop sulphur burps on Mounjaro
Sulphur burps are usually harmless and aren’t a sign that the medicine isn’t working.
But if you just want them out of your life: here’s the advice on how to get rid of sulphur burps on Mounjaro.
Know which foods to eat and avoid
The main recommendation is to adjust your diet. We know that foods containing sulphur trigger H2S production, so it might help to avoid them.
That includes red meat, cow’s milk, eggs, onions, fried foods, and cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts).
Some research suggests that fibre can bring H2S levels down, and that eating protein without having enough fibre in your diet can make them rise. You want both in a healthy diet, anyway. If you can, it’s always best to get personalised diet advice from your provider (like us!).
Eat smaller meals, more often
This might help reduce the buildup of gas in your gut. Because gas forms when food is being digested, having less food in your stomach may mean you have less gas. And, therefore, you wouldn’t burp as much.
Move your body
Mild exercise has been shown to help move digestion along and prevent gas from collecting in the gut. Exercise is great for you in any case, so try to do two strength sessions and 150 minutes of moderate-intensity movement each week.
Probiotics
Probiotics are ‘good’ bacteria that can influence the balance of other bacteria in your gut. It’s been suggested that they could help to regulate H2S levels, which might in turn pair back your burps. Do check in with your provider before trying this, as probiotics aren’t recommended for everyone.
When to seek medical help
We get that you might be a little grossed out by your burps, but they’re usually not a sign of anything serious.
But if your burping is intense enough to affect your day-to-day activities on more than three days per week , you should check in with your doctor. Sometimes, excessive burping can be due to another condition like gastrointestinal reflux disease, IBS or anxiety.
Having other symptoms alongside your burps, like a fever or vomiting, that are severe or don’t go away also warrants a visit to your doctor.
Your weight loss journey
Weight loss medications can drive serious results, though they can also come with not-so-glamourous side effects (yet most of the time these are mild and clear on their own). But for people who have tried to lose weight another way and didn’t see the results they wanted, weight loss injections can be a gamechanger.
With weight loss medication and healthy lifestyle changes, you could lose up to 25% of your starting weight if you stick with your routine for over a year.
You can get medication, plus personalised support from our team at every step, as part of our weight loss programme. We’ll be on hand to answer your questions and celebrate your success.
Take your next step right now: fill out this short form to see if you’re eligible for the programme. It won’t take more than a few minutes.
FAQs
Should I stop taking Mounjaro if I experience sulphur burps?
Eggy burps aren’t a sign that the medicine isn’t working, so you would probably only consider coming off Mounjaro if your burps were interfering with your daily life. It’s a decision for you to make with your provider.
Are sulphur burps a common side effect of Mounjaro?
They aren’t the most common symptom, but burping is reported to affect up to one in ten people on Mounjaro. We don’t know how many of those people are specifically having sulphur burps, though.
Can changing my diet help reduce sulphur burps?
It might. We’ve covered this in more detail above (scroll up a little bit!) but it might help to avoid foods that are high in sulphur, like red meat, eggs, cow’s milk, and cruciferous vegetables, as they can cause production of H2S.
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