Key takeaways:
- Sulfur burps, or burps that smell like rotten eggs, are caused by hydrogen sulfide in your gut.
- Mounjaro® slows the movement of food through your digestive system, which might cause more sulfur burps.
- About 3 percent of people taking Mounjaro® report burping as a side effect.
- You can reduce Mounjaro® sulfur burps by limiting high-sulfur foods, eating more slowly, and avoiding fizzy drinks.
If you’re taking Mounjaro® (tirzepatide), you might have noticed one unusual side effect: burps that smell like rotten eggs. These eggy burps are known as sulfur burps (sometimes spelled sulphur burps), and they’re caused by your body breaking down sulfur-containing foods.
You can reduce Mounjaro® sulfur burps by cutting down on foods high in sulfur and making a few other lifestyle changes.
Read on for everything you need to know about sulfur burps from Mounjaro®, including what causes them, how to get rid of them, and when to see a doctor about egg burps.
What Are Mounjaro® Sulfur Burps?
Sulfur burps are burps that smell like rotten eggs. These eggy belches can be unpleasant, but they’re generally harmless.
“Sulfur burps can happen to anyone, whether you’re taking Mounjaro® or not,” says Lynn Marie Morski, MD. “But you might find that Mounjaro® causes you to experience sulfur burps more often,” she adds.
What Causes Mounjaro® Sulfur Burps?
Sulfur burps are caused by hydrogen sulfide. When bacteria in your gut break down foods that contain sulfur, they create hydrogen sulfide gas as a byproduct.
Some of this gas passes through your mouth via burping, and those burps might smell like sulfur or rotten eggs.
Where does Mounjaro® come into this? Mounjaro® may increase sulfur burps as the medication delays gastric emptying, or the speed at which food moves from your stomach to your intestines.
This is one way Mounjaro® works for weight loss, as it can help you feel fuller for longer.
As food stays in your digestive system for longer, you might experience gastrointestinal side effects, gas buildup, and an increase in sulfur burps.
How Common Are Mounjaro® Sulfur Burps?
People in clinical trials of Mounjaro® didn’t report sulfur burps as a side effect specifically. They did, however, report burping in general.
It’s unclear how many of these people experienced sulfur burps, if any. But there are anecdotal reports of Mounjaro® egg burps online.
How to Get Rid of Sulfur Burps From Mounjaro®
You can get rid of sulphur burps by cutting down on sulfur-containing foods, limiting carbonated drinks, and lowering your dose of Mounjaro® (if your provider gives the green light).
Here’s more on those strategies:
1. Cut Down on Sulfur-Containing Foods
Sulfur isn’t a bad thing — we need some of it for optimal health. But eating a lot of foods high in sulfur could increase the risk of Mounjaro® sulfur burps.
High-sulfur foods and drinks include:
- Eggs
- Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage
- Alliums like onions, garlic, and leeks
- Red meat like lamb and beef
- Chicken
- Beer and wine
Other foods that can cause gas and burping in general include:
- Legumes like lentils, chickpeas, and beans
- Foods that contain some types of sweeteners
- Chewing gum or hard candies
- Dairy, if you have lactose intolerance
Of course, many of these foods — like eggs, chicken, cruciferous vegetables, and legumes — are highly nutritious. It’s worth keeping a food diary to see if they’re triggers for you. If not, you can enjoy them as part of your regular eating plan.
“Even if they are triggers, you might find that sulfur burps get better as your body adjusts to Mounjaro® and you don’t need to cut out these nutritious foods long term,” says Dr. Morski.
2. Eat More Fiber
As for what to eat, fiber may help reduce hydrogen sulfide gas levels.
You can get fiber from:
- Fruits
- Veggies
- Nuts and seeds
- Whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa
- Legumes (if these don’t increase burping for you)
3. Eat More Slowly
Eating more slowly can help you swallow less air, which is another cause of burping.
You can eat more slowly by:
- Sitting down to eat, rather than eating on the go
- Putting down your cutlery or taking sips of water between bites
- Savoring your food and focusing on the smell, taste, and texture
- Reducing distractions while eating, like turning off the TV or putting down your phone
The win-win here is that eating more slowly can help you notice when you start feeling full and help you feel fuller for longer after meals. This can help you avoid overeating and work toward your weight-loss goals.
4. Limit Fizzy Drinks and Drinking Through a Straw
Stay hydrated by sipping plenty of water throughout the day, but avoid fizzy drinks and drinking through a straw.
Again, this can reduce how much air you swallow, and therefore how much you burp.
5. Speak to Your Healthcare Provider About a Lower Dose of Mounjaro®
If sulfur burps from Mounjaro® don’t go away and are affecting your daily life, reach out to a healthcare provider about lowering your dose. A lower dose might reduce your side effects.
In some cases, your provider might recommend staying on your current dose of Mounjaro® for longer before increasing it, if you’re in the dose escalation phase. They may also recommend a different weight loss medication, like Saxenda® or Wegovy®, which might cause fewer side effects for you.
Never change the dose of your medication without first getting the green light from a healthcare provider.
When to See a Doctor About Sulfur Burps From Mounjaro®
Mounjaro® burping is usually nothing to worry about — even if those burps smell like rotten eggs. Sulfur burps are generally harmless, and you might find they go away over time as your body adjusts to Mounjaro®.
However, you should reach out to your healthcare provider if sulfur burps are bothering you or if they change suddenly.
Also, seek medical advice if you notice burping accompanied by other symptoms, including:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
These three symptoms are common side effects of Mounjaro®, but it’s worth checking in with a provider if you’re concerned.
Potential Next Steps
Your healthcare provider can recommend changes to your treatment plan, lifestyle tweaks, or over-the-counter medication for burping. They can also determine if an underlying condition is to blame and treat the root cause.
The Bottom Line: Sulfur Burps From Mounjaro®
Mounjaro® can cause a few unpleasant side effects, and one of those is foul-smelling burps. And it’s not just Mounjaro® — other weight loss drugs can cause sulfur burps, too.
Here’s the tl;dr:
- Sulfur burps from Mounjaro® are usually harmless. Not pleasant, but harmless. Side effects may improve over time as you get used to the medication.
- Reduce sulfur burps with dietary changes. Try temporarily limiting sulfur-rich foods, eating more slowly, and avoiding fizzy drinks and straws.
- Your healthcare provider might recommend a lower dose. If sulfur burps from Mounjaro® really aren’t getting better, a lower dose or a different weight loss medication could potentially help to improve your side effects.
To learn more about your treatment options, take our free online weight loss quiz. A licensed healthcare provider will go over your answers and let you know if you’re eligible for Mounjaro® or any other weight loss medications that can help you on your weight loss journey.
FAQs
Get answers to frequently asked questions about sulfur burps and Mounjaro® below.
How long do sulfur burps on Mounjaro® last?
It’s not clear how long sulfur burps on Mounjaro® last. In general, Mounjaro® side effects tend to happen when you first start taking the medication and when your dose increases.
You might feel better when you reach your maintenance dose, which could be in one to five months, depending on how high a dose you need.
Do weight loss drugs cause sulfur burps?
Weight loss drugs like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, and Zepbound® can cause sulfur burps. This might be because weight loss drugs delay stomach emptying, slowing the movement of food through your digestive tract, which can cause more burping.
How to get rid of sulfur burps quickly?
You can get rid of sulfur burps quickly by eating more slowly, avoiding fizzy drinks and drinking through straws, and limiting sulfur-containing foods like eggs, cruciferous vegetables, and alliums.
How do I get rid of sulfur burps from GLP-1s?
You can get rid of sulfur burps from GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide) by eating more slowly, avoiding fizzy drinks and straws, and limiting foods high in sulfur like eggs and cruciferous vegetables.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide burping may get better over time as your body adjusts to your GLP-1 medication.
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This article originally appeared on ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
