Where dizziness appears in the labels
- Wegovy® (semaglutide): in the section 6.1 tables and in the Medication Guide list of the most common side effects [1].
- Zepbound® (tirzepatide): in the section 6.1 table of common adverse reactions [2].
- Saxenda® (liraglutide): in the section 6.1 tables for adults and adolescents and in the Medication Guide list of common side effects [3].
- Foundayo™ (orforglipron): in the section 6.1 text, outside the main table [4].
- Ozempic®: section 6.1 names dizziness among other reactions seen in more than 0.4% of patients, without a rate; Rybelsus® lists it under post-marketing reports in section 6.2 [5][6].
- Mounjaro® (tirzepatide): dizziness is not listed in the adverse reaction section of the current US label [7].
The numbers, compared with placebo
Each figure comes from the placebo-controlled pool named in the label, and rates from different medicines’ trials cannot be compared directly. In the Wegovy® 7.2 mg trials the term also includes dizziness on standing.
- Timing: the Saxenda® label says dizziness, together with fatigue and changes in taste, was mainly reported within the first 12 weeks and was often reported alongside nausea, vomiting or diarrhea [3].
| Label and trial pool | Placebo | Medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Wegovy®: three adult weight-reduction trials, up to 68 weeks [1] | 4% | 8% on 2.4 mg |
| Wegovy®: two 72-week trials of the 7.2 mg dose [1] | 1% | 5% on 2.4 mg, 6% on 7.2 mg |
| Wegovy®: adolescents aged 12 and older [1] | 3% | 8% |
| Zepbound®: two weight-reduction trials, up to 72 weeks [2] | 2% | 4% to 5% |
| Saxenda®: adult weight management trials [3] | 5% | 6.9% |
| Saxenda®: 56-week adolescent trial [3] | 3.2% | 10.4% |
| Foundayo™: two trials of up to 72 weeks [4] | 3% | 4% |
European and Canadian product information
European leaflets group side effects by frequency, where common means up to 1 in 10 people. Feeling dizzy is common in the Wegovy®, Ozempic® and Rybelsus® leaflets. The Wegovy® leaflet adds low blood pressure and dizziness on standing or sitting up as uncommon, up to 1 in 100 [8][10][11]. The European Mounjaro® leaflet, which covers tirzepatide in the EU for diabetes and weight management, lists dizziness and low blood pressure as common in people treated for weight management [9].
Section 4.7 of the European Wegovy® and Rybelsus® summaries says dizziness can be felt mainly while the dose is being raised, and that driving or using machines should be done cautiously if it occurs [8][11].
The Canadian Zepbound® monograph, revised in June 2026, gives the low blood pressure figures by dose: 1.1%, 1.4% and 2.1% on 5, 10 and 15 mg against 0.1% on placebo. It adds that low blood pressure also occurred together with stomach side effects and dehydration [12].
Three situations the labels link it with
The same Medication Guides also list fainting or dizziness among the signs of a serious allergic reaction, together with swelling of the face or throat, breathing trouble and a very rapid heartbeat [1][5].
- Fluid loss: every GLP-1 label warns about acute kidney injury due to volume depletion, reported most often after nausea, vomiting or diarrhea had left people dehydrated. The Ozempic®, Wegovy® and Saxenda® Medication Guides say drinking fluids helps reduce the chance of dehydration [1][3][5].
- Low blood pressure and fainting: on Wegovy®, reactions related to low blood pressure were reported by 1.3% versus 0.4% on placebo, and fainting by 0.8% versus 0.2%; some were related to stomach side effects and fluid loss, and they were seen more often in people taking blood pressure medicines [1]. Zepbound® reports 1.6% versus 0.1% (2.2% with blood pressure medicines, 1.2% without), Foundayo™ 2% versus 0.5%, and Saxenda® 1.1% versus 0.5% [2][3][4].
- Low blood sugar: the Ozempic®, Wegovy® and Saxenda® Medication Guides list dizziness or light-headedness among its signs, with sweating, shakiness, confusion, headache and a fast heartbeat, a risk the labels tie mainly to insulin or a sulfonylurea [1][3][5].
Telling the situations apart
The labels do not offer a method for this, but general sources describe which signs tend to travel with each cause. Putting them side by side can help you describe an episode; it does not replace a reading or an examination.
| Possible cause | Signs listed with it | Where it is described |
|---|---|---|
| Dehydration | Thirst, a dry or sticky mouth, passing little urine, darker urine, headache, muscle cramps | MedlinePlus, dehydration [15] |
| Low blood pressure, including on standing | Lightheadedness, blurry vision, confusion, nausea, sleepiness, weakness, fainting; often brief after standing up | MedlinePlus, low blood pressure [14] |
| Low blood sugar | Sweating, shakiness, hunger, a fast heartbeat, confusion; confirmed by a reading | Medication Guides [1][5] |
| Vertigo | A spinning feeling, sometimes when moving the head, with hearing changes in some inner ear problems | MedlinePlus, dizziness [13] |
Other possible causes
MedlinePlus separates lightheadedness, the feeling you might faint, from vertigo, the feeling that you or the room is spinning, and says most causes of dizziness are not serious [13]. Lightheadedness can follow a cold, flu, allergies, getting up too quickly or medicines that lower blood pressure; vertigo often comes from the inner ear.
Among medicines that can lower blood pressure, MedlinePlus names diuretics, heart and blood pressure medicines, some antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicines, painkillers and alcohol [14]. Rarely, dizziness comes from a heart problem, stroke or internal bleeding, usually with other warning signs such as chest pain or changes in speech or vision [13].
What general guidance says helps
- When it hits: MedlinePlus suggests sitting or lying down right away if low blood pressure causes symptoms, and raising your feet above heart level [14].
- If you get light-headed on standing: avoid sudden changes in posture, get up slowly from lying down, stay seated for a moment before standing and have something to hold on to [13].
- Fluids: the Medication Guides say drinking fluids helps reduce the chance of dehydration, and MedlinePlus suggests sipping water or sucking on ice cubes when dehydrated. Neither sets an amount for you; that is a conversation with your clinician, especially if you have kidney or heart problems [1][15].
- Blood pressure medicines: MedlinePlus says your provider may change the dose or switch medicines if they are the cause, and not to stop any medicine before talking to them [14]. The GLP-1 labels note low blood pressure was more frequent in people on these medicines [1][2].
- Driving: the European Wegovy® and Rybelsus® information asks for caution with driving or machinery if dizziness occurs [8][11].
How a log helps
Useful notes are short: when the dizziness happened, whether it came on standing up, whether the room spun, how long it lasted, what you had eaten and drunk, and whether you had stomach symptoms that day. If you measure blood pressure or blood sugar at home, the reading at the time is helpful too.
Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Rybelsus® and Saxenda® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Mounjaro® and Zepbound® are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company, and Foundayo™ is a trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. PepLabo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly.
When to get help
| Sign | Who to contact | How fast | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fainting, or dizziness with chest pain, an irregular heartbeat or shortness of breath | Call 911 or your local emergency number | Emergency | MedlinePlus [13][14] |
| Dizziness with weakness, inability to move an arm or leg, or a change in vision or speech | Emergency care | Emergency | MedlinePlus [13] |
| Dizziness with trouble keeping fluids down, a high fever with headache or stiff neck, or a seizure | Emergency room | Emergency | MedlinePlus [13] |
| Dizziness with swelling of the face or throat, breathing trouble or a severe rash | Stop the medicine and get emergency help | Emergency | Medication Guides [1][5] |
| Ongoing nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, or signs of dehydration | Your prescriber, promptly | Today | Labels, acute kidney injury warning [1][2] |
| Dizziness with shakiness, sweating or hunger if you use insulin or a sulfonylurea | Follow your low blood sugar plan, then tell your prescriber | Today | Medication Guides [1][5] |
| Dizziness for the first time, new or worsening symptoms, or light-headedness after a medicine change | Your clinician; mention any blood pressure medicines | Today | MedlinePlus [13]; labels [1][2] |
