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Side effect · Zepbound

Constipation on Zepbound

Eating less food means less bulk moving through your gut, so constipation on a GLP-1 can be as much about portions as about the drug.

Clinician review pending Updated
On Zepbound
11% to 17%
label rate
On placebo
6%
same trials
Extra vs placebo
up to 11points
attributable to the drug, roughly

Pooled placebo-controlled weight-management trials in the Zepbound label (5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg).

Constipation across GLP-1 medicines

Wegovyplacebo 11%
24.0%
Saxendaplacebo 9%
19.0%
Zepboundplacebo 6%
17.0%
Mounjaroplacebo 1%
7.0%
Rybelsusplacebo 2%
6.0%
Ozempicplacebo 2%
5.0%
Victozaplacebo 2%
5.0%
Highest rate across label doses. Different trials and populations, so compare with care.

Why it happens

GLP-1 medicines slow the movement of food through the digestive tract. Slower transit gives the colon more time to pull water out of stool, which makes it harder and less frequent.

At the same time, many people eat and drink much less than before. Less food and fluid means less volume to keep things moving.

When it starts and fades

Constipation can begin early and may linger beyond the step-up phase for some people. In trials it was reported most often during dose escalation and was usually mild to moderate.

If you go several days without a bowel movement, or have hard, painful stools despite home measures, check in with your care team.

What helps

  • Drink water steadily through the day, aiming above your old baseline since food water drops.
  • Add fiber from vegetables, beans, berries, oats or chia, increasing slowly.
  • Take a daily walk; movement helps the gut move too.
  • Keep a regular bathroom time and do not ignore the urge to go.
  • Ask a pharmacist which over-the-counter options are a fit before trying one.
  • Include some healthy fat, which can help stool pass.

Other Zepbound side effects

Nausea25% to 29%Diarrhea19% to 23%Vomiting8% to 13%Stomach pain9% to 10%Heartburn and indigestion7% to 9%Injection-site reactions6% to 8%Fatigue5% to 7%Hair loss4% to 5%Burping3% to 6%Gas3% to 4%Bloating3% to 4%Dizziness3% to 5%

Common questions

How common is constipation on Zepbound?

In the trials behind the label, 11% to 17% of people on Zepbound reported it, vs 6% on placebo.

How do I relieve constipation on Wegovy?

Start with more water, fiber added slowly and daily movement. Ask your pharmacist or prescriber before using laxatives regularly.

Does GLP-1 constipation go away?

For many people it improves after the step-up phase, but some deal with it longer. Consistent habits usually help more than one-time fixes.

Can protein shakes make constipation worse?

Some can, especially if they replace fiber-rich food. Pair shakes with fruit, vegetables or a fiber source and extra fluids.

Sources

  1. Zepbound prescribing information (FDA label on DailyMed)
  2. SURMOUNT-1 trial publication

Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a licensed clinician (MD, DO or PharmD) before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error