Wind, bloating and burps that taste or smell like eggs can happen during weight management treatment. These are sometimes called sulphur burps.
Weight management treatments can slow down digestion, meaning food stays in your stomach for longer. This can contribute to increased gas and unpleasant-smelling burps. Symptoms may be more noticeable during the first few weeks of treatment or after a dose increase and often improve as your body adjusts.
What can I do to help?
There are a few things you can try to help reduce wind, bloating and eggy burps:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
- Choose lighter meals that are easier to digest.
- Eat slowly and chew your food well.
- Try cutting back on foods such as eggs, red meat, garlic, onions and cabbage when symptoms flare up.
- Avoid fizzy drinks.
Speak to your local pharmacy
Your local pharmacist can recommend treatments that may help with wind or bloating and check that they are suitable for you. Let them know that you are taking weight management treatment so they can take this into account.
When should I contact Simple Online Pharmacy?
Please contact us if:
- Your symptoms are still present when your next injection is due.
- The wind, bloating or burping is affecting your day-to-day activities.
- Your symptoms are not improving despite being on a steady dose and trying the changes above.
- You also have diarrhoea with cramping or significant stomach pain.
A pharmacist can review your symptoms and treatment and advise you on what to do next.
When should I speak to my GP?
Speak to your GP if:
- You had eggy burps before starting weight management treatment.
- You take, or have previously taken, stomach acid medicines such as omeprazole or lansoprazole for a long period of time.
- You have ongoing indigestion or acid reflux that is not improving with over-the-counter treatment.
- You notice a persistent change in your bowel habits or unexplained weight loss.
Eggy burps can sometimes have causes unrelated to your weight management treatment, including certain stomach infections. Your GP can assess your symptoms and arrange testing or treatment if needed.
When should I seek urgent medical help?
Contact NHS 111 or attend A&E urgently if you cannot pass wind or open your bowels and you also have:
- Stomach pain or cramping.
- A swollen or increasingly bloated tummy.
- Vomiting.
Do not eat or drink while waiting to be assessed if you have been advised to attend hospital.
Call 999 or attend A&E immediately if you vomit blood or your vomit looks like coffee grounds.