Mounjaro sulfur burps: How do I stop them?

Why does Mounjaro cause sulfur burps?

There are a few reasons Mounjaro may cause sulfur burps. Those include:

Delayed gastric emptying

Mounjaro slows digestion, which helps you feel fuller for longer. However, it also leads to constipation and increases the amount of time food sits in your stomach.

Slower digestion and less frequent bowel movements allow food more time to ferment in the gut. This process can cause naturally occurring hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to build up to higher levels, resulting in those characteristic sulfur burps.

Changes in gut bacteria

Studies suggest some glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, like Mounjaro, may alter the gut microbiome. While some changes in gut bacteria have a positive effect on the microbiome, others can influence sulfur gas production and contribute to sulfur burps.

Dietary changes

When using Mounjaro, you may decide to make some dietary changes to help manage your blood sugar better, such as increasing your intake of protein or consuming more vegetables. Certain foods, such as eggs and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and others) are naturally high in sulfur, which can contribute to the production of H2S.

How to stop sulfur burps on Mounjaro

You may be able to take the following steps to help manage or even stop sulfur burps while on Mounjaro.

Modify your meals

Eating smaller meals more frequently, chewing your food slowly, and stopping when full may assist with digestion. If you notice that your sulfur burps occur following meals that are higher in fat, choose lower fat meal options instead.

Additionally, if eating foods that are high in sulfur contribute to unpleasant sulfur burps, considering decreasing your intake and take note of whether you experience a reduction in symptoms.

Medical Perspective

“If you need support with managing your diet to decrease sulfur burps while supporting your diabetes and weight loss, ask your doctor for resources, such as meeting with a dietitian or nutritionist.”

— Ami Patel, PharmD, BCPS

Read more about what to eat while on Mounjaro.

_{Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.}

Identify food triggers

If you can’t pinpoint the foods that are causing your sulfur burps, try keeping a food diary so that you can track your symptoms after each meal. This way, you may begin to notice that the sulfur burps occur regularly after you eat certain foods.

Common foods that can trigger sulfur burps with Mounjaro use include:

• eggs
• cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, etc.)
• garlic
• onions
• dairy

Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of fluids to keep your gut moving and help reduce constipation. If carbonated beverages or alcohol worsen symptoms, you may also need to reduce your intake of them.

Over-the-counter options

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as Pepto-Bismol may reduce H2S gas in the gut.

If you have questions about which OTC product may be helpful to you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist for further recommendations.

How long do sulfur burps last?

How long sulfur burps last will vary from person to person. Some people may have relief in a few weeks as their body adjusts to the medication. Other people may continue to experience sulfur burps for several weeks.

If you have bothersome sulfur burps while using Mounjaro, talk with your doctor. They may be able to review your dose of the drug, suggest dietary changes, or recommend other ways to manage this symptom.

Summary

Sulfur burps may occur with Mounjaro use due to a variety of factors, including delayed gastric emptying, constipation, and more. Typically, sulfur burps are temporary.

Modifying your meals, staying hydrating, and using OTC medications are some of the ways you may be able to manage this condition.