Why Wegovy might be causing a strange taste in your mouth

If you’ve just started taking Wegovy for weight loss, you might be one of the few people noticing an odd taste in your mouth.

Perhaps your favourite foods aren’t quite what they used to be, maybe you’ve gone totally off your morning coffee, or suddenly you’re reaching for a savoury over a sweet taste.

Alarming as it may seem, experiencing this side effect isn’t entirely unheard of when taking Wegovy. Here’s what you should know.

Can Wegovy cause a bad taste in your mouth?

It certainly can! Some people who take Wegovy find that foods taste different. It could be that:

• Their food suddenly tastes strange or not like it used to
• Certain foods are bitter, such as chips, dark chocolate, or coffee
• There’s a sulphur or metallic taste in their mouth
• Food is excessively salty
• They have different food preferences
• They experience an unusual aftertaste after eating

Some people also experience a dry mouth, which is where saliva production goes down.

Having a dry mouth could also make foods seem unusual, as saliva helps your mouth detect flavour. It’s possible that some foods might taste bland.

Experts aren’t entirely sure why these side effects occur, and as yet, while there is some evidence indicating that Wegovy could change the way you process taste, the research is still fairly rudimentary. We’ll explore some of the scientific theories that do exist a little further down.

And even though these changes can and do happen, many people find that the medication makes no difference at all to their sense of taste.

Some of the more common side effects of taking Wegovy include nausea, stomach upset, constipation, and headache.[1]

Can Wegovy cause bad breath?

You may have heard of “Ozempic breath”, a notorious and unpleasant side effect of taking Ozempic – a medication that has the same active ingredient as Wegovy, semaglutide.

Ozempic breath is often a fishy-smelling odour and it often manifests through a burp or breath.

But can Wegovy trigger bad breath too? Once again, it’s possible. Even though bad breath wasn’t one of the primary side effects during clinical trials, many patients report the same fishy or offensive smell that Ozempic can cause.

Experts aren’t entirely sure why this happens, although they do have a few theories. 

One is that GLP-1 medications like Wegovy are contributing to a bacterial imbalance in the gut, a suggestion put forward by a 2016 study done on mice.

This is because they work to slow gastric emptying (the process of food leaving the digestive system), resulting in the growth of certain gut bacteria [2].

These bacteria produce volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) which can lead to all kinds of digestive issues, including bad breath.

Taking GLP-1 medications can also impact the pH balance, nutrient composition, and other parts of the gut, disrupting normal digestion.

Another is that because food is taking longer to move through the digestive system, it’s effectively left to ferment and cause bad-smelling gas.

Another still is that bad breath could be coming from a bowel obstruction — an intestinal blockage that can be caused by constipation, one of the main side effects of taking Wegovy.

When you have a bowel obstruction, food and stool build up in your digestive tract and can lead to bad breath.

Interestingly, some experts suggest that it might also be burps that make some people think foods taste different. This is because the lingering gas could influence your perception of certain flavours.

How GLP-1 medications can affect your taste buds

You might already be familiar with Wegovy, but in short, the weight loss medication contains semaglutide — a compound that’s able to mimic glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), the hormone responsible for regulating your appetite.

Semaglutide can suppress appetite and slow gastric emptying, making you feel fuller for longer and, if taken alongside a reduced calorie diet and improved exercise regimen, helping you lose weight.

This is key information because it’s important to understand how both the hormone itself and the medication work to explore the link between GLP-1 medications and your taste buds.

So, what does the science say?

In recent years, a few studies have examined the effect of GLP-1 on taste disturbances.

One 2021 study established no difference between semaglutide and a placebo medication when it came to taste perception.

However, another found that semaglutide made the study participants more sensitive towards sweet, sour, salty, and bitter flavours [3][4].

A 2021 review echoed the latter study, finding that GLP-1 is an important component in perceiving tastes, especially sweet ones [5].

The hormone is located in taste bud cells along your tongue, which are responsible for taste detection. And because semaglutide works to emulate GLP-1, it’s possible that it changes the way you experience certain flavours.

Some researchers suggest this could be because GLP-1 medications are capable of altering gene expression on the tongue.

Interestingly, it’s been suggested that GLP-1 medications could be a viable therapy for altering taste perception, potentially curbing cravings for foods known to contribute to weight gain.

What to do about the Wegovy weird taste in your mouth

If you’re experiencing an odd taste in your mouth or bad breath, know that there are a few ways you can try and relieve it. Here are some ideas.

Avoid certain foods

It might go without saying, but if there are foods or drinks that suddenly taste really off, you might be best avoiding them entirely — at least for a little while.

It could be that your sense of taste eventually returns to normal as your body adjusts to taking the medication.

Sugary or sweetened foods may be particularly unappealing, given some research has found that GLP-1 medications affect the way you detect sweet tastes.

Try new ones

While you’re avoiding particular foods, this could be a great opportunity to try new ones. There might be foods and drinks you haven’t eaten or drunk yet that aren’t affected by the changes in your taste sensitivity. 

Never had sushi before? Here’s your chance! Always wanted to eat a spicy African stew? There’s never been a better time! Consider it a fun challenge to try new and interesting foods and dishes.

Amp up the flavour

If your sense of taste has been inhibited by taking Wegovy — perhaps things are tasting bland, for example — then it could be worth trying stronger flavours. 

Add ingredients like citrus, ginger, garlic, herbs, and spices to your meals and see if they make a difference. You might also find that bolder flavours are better able to override the strange taste in your mouth.

It’s worth touching on salt here, too. While salt can definitely be a solid addition to enhance flavour, it’s important to be mindful of how much you add.

Excess sodium intake can increase the chances of developing certain health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney problems. 

Practise good oral hygiene

If bad breath is the culprit, good oral hygiene may help. It can remove the bacteria which may contribute to bad breath.

The UK’s main health bodies recommend using toothpaste that contains fluoride and brushing your teeth at least twice per day for 2 minutes [6].

Brushing your tongue with your toothbrush can also remove some of the bacteria that cause bad breath.

You could also use a mouthwash to try and beat bad breath, potentially one prescribed by a dentist that specifically targets halitosis.

While you’re at it, make sure to go for a check-up with your dentist every 6-12 months.

Drink plenty of water

Suffering from dry mouth? Drink plenty of water, as it keeps your mouth moist.

Upping your water intake might also reduce the intensity of any odd flavours in your mouth that you’re tasting after certain foods. 

Avoid fizzy drinks

Fizzy drinks aren’t exactly the best choice for your overall health, plus drinking them may encourage you to burp — potentially increasing the chance of bad breath or experiencing an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Move your body

Exercise is another key pillar of weight loss, plus it may also be beneficial if you’re experiencing a strange taste in your mouth as a result of taking Wegovy.

Increased physical activity helps you digest food, potentially allowing food to pass through your digestive system faster and lowering the chances of gas build-up.

Know when to seek medical attention

If the odd taste is really bothering you, make sure to reach out to your doctor. They can help you find an alternative solution that could minimise this side effect.

This is especially important if you’re experiencing other symptoms like severe pain in your tummy, extreme fatigue, low blood sugar, blurred vision, problems breathing, or increased heart rate.

These are incredibly unpleasant to deal with and could even signal something more serious.

Looking to lose weight?

If you’re after a GLP-1 medication to lose body weight, you’ve come to the right place. 

Juniper’s Weight Reset programme combines weight loss medications, health coaching and expert advice from dietitians and clinicians, giving you all the tools you need for a successful weight loss journey.

One of the drugs included in the programme is Wegovy, but if that isn't the right choice for you, there's also Mounjaro, which contains tirzepatide.

Check your eligibility today and find the best solution to help you reach your weight loss goals.