Patients using popular GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound for diabetes and weight loss are increasingly reporting a strange, fishy-smelling bad breath, a phenomenon commonly referred to as 'Ozempic breath.'
Dr. Neha Lalani, an endocrinologist in Texas, explained that the term describes a fishy odor in burps or general halitosis. Despite the widespread anecdotal reports on social media, there is currently no peer-reviewed research establishing a direct causal link.
Dr. Sue Decotiis, a New York-based weight loss physician, identifies a likely primary cause: severe dehydration. She notes that these medications require up to a gallon of water daily to support fat metabolism, a practice few patients follow.
Doctors advise that the issue may be mitigated by drastically increasing water intake, adding fiber supplements, and adopting a diet low in greasy, processed foods. A probiotic may also help if acid reflux is a contributing factor.