How Long Do Sulfur Burps Last? A Guide to Causes and Duration

Sulfur burps—those unpleasant, rotten-egg-smelling belches—can be both embarrassing and concerning. If you're experiencing them, your first question is likely, "How long will this last?" The answer isn't straightforward, as the duration depends entirely on the underlying cause.

An occasional sulfur burp is usually harmless and short-lived. However, persistent episodes could signal a side effect of a medication or an underlying digestive issue. This guide will break down the timeline for sulfur burps based on their cause, explain what triggers them, and detail when it's time to seek medical advice.

A Quick Guide to How Long Sulfur Burps Last

The duration of sulfur burps varies significantly depending on what's causing them. Here’s a general timeline:

Cause of Sulfur Burps	Typical Duration
Dietary Triggers	A few hours to a couple of days
Medication Side Effects	Often temporary, improving over a few weeks to months
Underlying Medical Condition	Persistent until the condition is diagnosed and treated

What Exactly Causes the "Rotten Egg" Smell?

That distinct smell is caused by hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas. This gas is a natural byproduct of digestion, but certain foods, health conditions, and medications can cause your digestive system to produce it in excess, leading to foul-smelling burps [SingleCare].

Temporary Causes (Lasting Hours to Days)

If your sulfur burps appear suddenly and disappear within a day or two, the cause is most likely related to your diet.

Sulfur-Rich Foods and Drinks

Your body produces hydrogen sulfide gas when it breaks down sulfur-containing foods. Common culprits include:

• High-protein foods: Eggs, poultry, red meat, and fish.
• Dairy products: Milk and cheese.
• Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage.
• Aromatics: Onions and garlic.
• Beverages: Alcohol, especially beer, and carbonated drinks can introduce excess gas [Medical News Today].

Intermediate Causes (Lasting Weeks to Months)

Sometimes, sulfur burps persist for a few weeks as your body adjusts to something new, most notably a medication.

Medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound

A well-documented side effect of GLP-1 agonists (like semaglutide and tirzepatide) is sulfur burps. These drugs work by slowing down how quickly your stomach empties. While this helps you feel full longer, it also gives food more time to sit and ferment, producing odorous hydrogen sulfide gas [ro.co].

Patients often report that these burps are most common when starting the medication or increasing the dose, and they typically improve or resolve within a few weeks to months. As one user of Zepbound shared with PEOPLE magazine, the side effect can be unpleasant but is often temporary: "sulfur burps. Everybody goes through that. And they taste freaking horrible... But they tend to go away – they’re not so unbearable" [PEOPLE].

Chronic or Persistent Causes

If sulfur burps are a regular occurrence and don't seem to be linked to a specific food or new medication, they may be a symptom of a chronic health issue that requires treatment.

Gastrointestinal Conditions

Several digestive disorders can lead to persistent sulfur burps:

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Allows stomach acid and gas to flow back into the esophagus.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A common disorder affecting the large intestine.
• Gastroparesis: A condition where the stomach empties too slowly (which is also the mechanism behind medication-induced burps).
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): An excess of bacteria in the small intestine can lead to increased gas production.

Infections

Certain infections can disrupt your digestive system and cause sulfur burps:

• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): A bacterial infection in the stomach that can cause ulcers and excessive burping.
• Giardia: A parasitic infection that can cause sulfur burps, diarrhea, and stomach cramps [SingleCare].

How to Get Rid of Sulfur Burps and Shorten Their Duration

While you often have to wait for the underlying cause to resolve, you can take steps to manage the symptoms and find relief faster.

Immediate Relief and Home Remedies

• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications: Products like Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) can help neutralize the sulfur smell, while Gas-X (simethicone) helps break up gas bubbles [Related Questions].
• Herbal Teas: Peppermint, ginger, or chamomile tea can help soothe the digestive tract and reduce gas.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water aids digestion and can help flush out your system.
• Probiotics: Consuming probiotics through foods like yogurt or supplements can help balance your gut bacteria and improve digestion.

Lifestyle and Dietary Adjustments

• Identify and Avoid Triggers: Keep a food diary to pinpoint which foods cause your sulfur burps, then limit them in your diet.
• Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals: This reduces the load on your digestive system, which is especially helpful if you're taking a GLP-1 medication.
• Eat Slowly: Chewing food thoroughly and eating mindfully prevents you from swallowing excess air.
• Take a Walk After Meals: Gentle exercise can help stimulate digestion and move food through your stomach more efficiently.

When to Worry: Seeing a Doctor About Sulfur Burps

While usually harmless, persistent sulfur burps can be a sign of a more serious issue. It's important to know when to stop self-treating and consult a healthcare professional.

You should see a doctor if you experience sulfur burps more than three times a week [Medical News Today].

Seek immediate medical attention if your sulfur burps are accompanied by any of the following "red flag" symptoms:

• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chronic diarrhea
• Blood in your stool or vomit
• Unintentional weight loss
• Chest pain or difficulty swallowing

A doctor can perform tests to diagnose the underlying cause, whether it's a food intolerance, a GI condition like GERD, or an infection like H. pylori, and recommend the appropriate treatment.