Sulphur Burps on Mounjaro: Causes & Relief Tips

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly weight loss injection, which can also manage type 2 diabetes. It works by mimicking the effects of the naturally occurring hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) to reduce appetite, minimise cravings, and regulate blood sugar levels, promoting weight loss.

Although it can help you lose on average 22.5% of your starting weight, side effects are common, especially at the start of treatment and after dose increases. Burping affects 3 to 5% of people on Mounjaro, making it one of the more common Mounjaro digestive side effects. One of the distinctive features, though, is that Mounjaro sulphur burps have an eggy taste, which can be both uncomfortable and unwanted.

In this guide, we’ll help you identify whether you are getting sulphur burps on Mounjaro and what you can do about them.

Sulphur burps have a distinctive foul, rotten egg smell, caused by the production in the gut of a type of gas called hydrogen sulphide. Mounjaro sulphur burps are common when you first start weight loss treatment or after each dose increase, but should get better as your body gets used to the medication.

The sulphur burps Mounjaro causes are not usually anything to worry about, but they can be unwanted and unpleasant, particularly when you are with other people. There are things you can do to manage them, which we’ll discuss later on.

Mounjaro works by slowing down digestion. This causes food to sit in your stomach for longer, helping you feel fuller and curbing cravings. As part of the normal digestive process, hydrogen sulphide is produced in the gut, and the sulphur part of this gas is what gives your burps that distinctive taste and smell.

Because Mounjaro keeps food in your stomach longer, hydrogen sulphide can build up, causing tirzepatide sulphur burps. Like other mild Mounjaro stomach issues, such as feeling sick, bloating, and acid reflux, sulphur burps are not usually a cause for concern – they’re just an unpleasant and smelly side effect of weight loss medication.

Mounjaro sulphur burps usually start within the first few weeks of treatment or when you increase your dose. They are normally temporary, lasting a few days to a few weeks, and should get better on their own as your body gets used to the medication.

One of the best ways to stop sulphur burps on Mounjaro is to adjust your diet to reduce your intake of high-sulphur foods, like red meat and eggs, but it can also help to:

✓ split your usual 3 meals per day into smaller, more frequent meals

✓ get some gentle exercise, especially after eating, like walking

✓ try over-the-counter antacids

✓ stop eating a few hours before going to bed

Here's how to stop sulphur burps on Mounjaro:

Avoid trigger foods

Because sulphur burps are caused by an increased production of hydrogen sulphide, it’s important to temporarily avoid or reduce your intake of sulphur-containing foods, such as:

• red meat
• fish
• dairy
• legumes
• dried fruit
• cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage
• oats, wheat, and barley
• alcohol, like beer, cider, and wine

It’s important that you avoid cutting these foods completely out of your diet because you need them to remain healthy, but it might help to monitor how they make you feel. If any trigger sulphur burps, try reducing your portions or intake temporarily to see if that helps.

Eat smaller, more frequent meals

If you are used to eating 3 square meals a day and are doing so on Mounjaro, this may be triggering some of the side effects, including sulphur burps.

It can be helpful to eat smaller, more frequent meals, perhaps 6 smaller meals rather than 3 large ones, to lower the amount of food that sits in your stomach. This can help reduce gas buildup and side effects like bloating and burping.

Do not eat late at night

Late-night meals or midnight snacks should be a no-no on Mounjaro because they can cause food to be sitting in your stomach while you’re sleeping. This could disrupt your normal sleep routine, and it can also lead to gas building up, resulting in Mounjaro sulphur burps.

Ideally, you should stop eating a few hours before going to bed to let your stomach empty before lying down and going to sleep.

Go for a walk after eating

Taking a short, gentle walk after a meal can encourage food to move through your digestive system, help prevent gas from building up, and reduce burping. Light walking also lowers blood sugar levels compared to standing, so it’s a good way to regulate blood glucose levels.

Limit alcohol and smoking

Drinks like beer, wine, and cider can make Mounjaro side effects worse, and because they naturally contain high levels of sulphur, they can cause sulphur burps. Smoking, on the other hand, increases the amount of air you swallow, leading to a buildup of gas in your stomach and causing burping. Speak to your doctor if you need help reducing your alcohol intake or stopping smoking.

Try natural remedies

GLP-1 sulphur burps may be relieved by trying natural remedies, like:

• green, mint, or chamomile tea – green tea has numerous benefits for the gastrointestinal system, including aiding digestion, mint tea can help relieve an upset stomach and indigestion, while chamomile tea can relax the smooth muscles in the stomach, relieving bloating and gas
• ginger – a spice that is known for its anti-sickness properties, but can also speed up digestion, reducing bloating and indigestion
• cumin – research shows that cumin extract can reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), including bloating
• turmeric – turmeric can potentially improve indigestion symptoms

Stay hydrated

Water is critical to the digestive process because it keeps your gastrointestinal tract lubricated, helping food to move through it. Drinking a glass of water before and after a meal can support digestion and satisfy thirst, which is commonly mistaken for hunger.

Use antacids

If Mounjaro sulphur burps are not improving with the tips mentioned above, speak to a pharmacist about over-the-counter remedies, such as antacids. They will recommend types that can be taken with Mounjaro.

Escalate Mounjaro doses slowly

If you are getting tirzepatide sulphur burps when you increase the dose, speak to your doctor about remaining on your current dose for a bit longer to see if that helps. Slowing down the Mounjaro dosing schedule may help your body adjust to the medication more easily and stop or relieve digestive side effects.

For most people, Mounjaro sulphur burps are nothing to worry about and will get better on their own as your body gets used to tirzepatide. However, on some occasions they could suggest you have an underlying issue and should see a doctor.

Sulphur burps are a common side effect of Mounjaro and usually settle down as your body gets used to it. Although they are usually nothing to worry about, they can be unpleasant and unwanted, but there are things you can do to manage them, like cutting down sulphur-rich foods, eating smaller, more frequent meals, and trying antacids.

Are sulphur burps a common side effect of Mounjaro?

Yes, sulphur burps are a common side effect of Mounjaro. Clinical trials have shown that burping affects 3.8% of people taking a 5mg dose, 5.2% of those on a 10mg dose, and 5.6% of people on the highest 15mg maintenance dose.

Do sulphur burps mean Mounjaro isn’t working?

No, sulphur burps do not mean Mounjaro is not working. They are often harmless side effects caused by Mounjaro slowing digestion and leaving food in your stomach for longer. This causes a buildup of gases, including hydrogen sulphide, resulting in sulphur burps.

Do other weight loss medications cause sulphur burps?

Yes, sulphur burps are common with other GLP-1 medications that slow down gastric emptying or how long it takes food to pass through your stomach, such as Wegovy and Nevolat.

Will probiotics help sulphur burps on Mounjaro?

Yes, probiotics or live, friendly bacteria may help manage sulphur burps on Mounjaro by rebalancing your gut bacteria. Probiotics are available as supplements or can be found in fermented foods, like yoghurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir.

Will Pepto-Bismol and Gaviscon work for sulphur burps?

Treatments like Pepto-Bismol or Gaviscon may reduce sulphur burps and are often recommended by other Mounjaro users. Pepto-Bismol may help by reducing the production of sulphur gas, while Gaviscon is an antacid that can lower stomach acid production. You should speak to your pharmacist or doctor about which over-the-counter antacids are suitable to take with Mounjaro.