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Trial participants

Thank you for taking part in the ASCEND PLUS trial. By joining this study you are helping to find out how to protect people with type 2 diabetes from serious heart and circulatory problems and other conditions.

You can find more information on our Participant Information page or by viewing our animated video.

Image of the front cover of the ASCEND-PLUS patient information leaflet.

Each pack of study treatment will include a leaflet. If you need another copy please contact us and we will send you one. Find out about how data about you are processed for the ASCEND PLUS trial.

Patient Information Leaflet animation

ASCEND PLUS tips to help with side effects

When taking the ASCEND PLUS study treatment you may experience side effects. The most common side effects of oral semaglutide relate to the digestive system, such as nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting (known as ‘gastrointestinal symptoms’). These side effects mainly occur during the first weeks of treatment, are mostly mild or moderate, and usually only last a short time.

General tips if you experience gastrointestinal symptoms

Nausea or vomiting

  • Stop eating when you are full.
  • Eat smaller portions – perhaps try a smaller plate.
  • Eat more slowly as you may feel fuller quicker.
  • Don’t drink too much fluid with your meals if this makes you feel too full.
  • Avoid spicy foods – they can make symptoms worse.
  • Avoid foods with a high fat content – these go through the stomach more slowly.
  • If 30 minutes have passed since the last time you took your study treatment, eat foods which can ease the symptoms of nausea, e.g. crackers, mint, ginger.

Diarrhoea

  • Avoid products, including candy and gum, with sweeteners ending in '–ol' such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol and maltitol.
  • Foods with higher fibre content may cause an increase in gastrointestinal symptoms. Temporarily reducing your intake of high fibre foods may help – these include:

Fruits such as apples, apricots, blackberries, cherries, mango, nectarines, pears, or plums.

Vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic and garlic salts, lentils, mushrooms, onions, and sugar snap or snow peas.

Grain and seed products, such as grain cereals, nuts, seeds, rice, barley, whole grain bread or baked goods.

Once your symptoms improve, you can try to increase the amount of higher fibre foods in your diet. Fibre is important for overall health.

You can contact the ASCEND PLUS Team for further advice. Download tips as a PDF.