Effects & side effects

Sulfur burps

Also called: egg burps, rotten-egg burps

By GLP Index editorial Updated July 17, 2026

Sulfur burps are belches that smell like rotten eggs, caused by hydrogen sulfide gas produced when food sits longer in the gut. Because GLP-1 medications slow stomach emptying, they're a common — and usually harmless — side effect. They often ease with smaller, lower-fat meals and tend to settle as your body adjusts.

What sulfur burps are

Sulfur burps are exactly what they sound like: belches carrying the smell of rotten eggs. That odor is hydrogen sulfide gas, produced when sulfur-containing food is broken down by bacteria in a slower-moving digestive tract. They’re unpleasant and occasionally embarrassing, but on their own they’re not dangerous.

The GLP-1 connection

Because GLP-1 medications deliberately slow stomach emptying — delayed gastric emptying is central to how they curb appetite — food and gas sit around longer, giving that hydrogen sulfide more time to build up. That’s why sulfur burps show up on so many side-effect lists for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, especially in the first weeks or right after a dose increase.

The practical fixes are mostly dietary: smaller, lower-fat meals, slowing down while eating, staying hydrated, and cutting back on the highest-sulfur foods. For most people they fade as the body adjusts. Pair them with severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, or signs of dehydration, though, and that’s a reason to call your clinician rather than wait it out.

Related terms

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Frequently asked

Why do GLP-1 medications cause sulfur burps?
GLP-1s slow how fast your stomach empties, so food lingers longer. Gut bacteria break down sulfur-containing foods into hydrogen sulfide gas, which produces the rotten-egg smell when you burp.
How do I get rid of sulfur burps on a GLP-1?
Smaller and lower-fat meals, eating more slowly, staying hydrated, and easing off high-sulfur foods (eggs, red meat, garlic, onions) often help. They also tend to fade as you adjust to a dose. See a clinician if they come with severe pain or vomiting.

Sources

Every claim on this page traces to primary literature or FDA labeling — browse the full evidence library.

  1. GLP-1 agonists — Cleveland Clinic
This page is for informational purposes only and isn't medical advice. Talk to a licensed healthcare provider about your situation before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. See our medical disclaimer and editorial policy.

Written by the GLP Index editorial team · Updated July 17, 2026 · How we source

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