Managing Side Effects Of GLP-1 Weight Loss Medication

At Levity, we understand that starting a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy or Compounded Semaglutide is an exciting step in your weight loss journey. But, as with taking any other medications, it’s important to understand potential side effects and how you can effectively manage them.

Common side effects and concerns

Here our experts explore the most common side effects caused by GLP-1 drugs. The good news is, these are usually mild and easily managed.

Constipation

Constipation is a very common side effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists, affecting more than 1 in 10 users. [1-2] You may be experiencing constipation if you are having trouble passing stool, have passed stool fewer than 3 times in a week or your stools are hard, dry and lumpy. This happens because weight loss medications slow down the rate at which your stomach empties, which can cause a delay in bowel movements.

To ease constipation, we recommend drinking plenty of fluids and including more fiber-rich foods like prunes, figs and oats in your diet. You might also find that going for a walk, or using stool softeners or other over-the-counter remedies may help relieve symptoms.

Headaches

Another common side effect associated with GLP-1 agonists is headaches. [1-2] Not everyone will experience headaches, and if you do, they're generally manageable and don't typically require you to stop using treatment. You can manage headaches by resting in a quiet, dimly-lit space, getting 7-9 hours of sleep and staying hydrated.

Diarrhea

Other gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea are also common when taking GLP-1 medication. In some cases, weight loss drugs can cause increased intestinal motility — which means that food and waste move too quickly through your digestive tract — causing diarrhoea. [3]

To manage short-term diarrhea, we recommend using oral rehydration salts to help replace lost fluids and electrolytes. If you're experiencing discomfort, pain relief pills can help.

Heartburn

Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, is a burning sensation in the chest that occurs when stomach acid flows back into your food pipe, causing discomfort, pain, and a sour taste in your mouth. [1-2] This happens because GLP-1 receptor agonists slow down the emptying of your stomach, causing stomach acid to move up to your food pipe contributing to heartburn. [4]

Many people find that eating small, frequent meals, avoiding high-fat foods and sugars and using simple oral medications for acid reflux help to alleviate this side effect.

Injection site reactions

Since the medications included in Levity’s weight loss program are administered by subcutaneous injection, it's important you're aware of possible reactions that may occur at the injection site. Signs of this include redness, swelling, itching, or pain at the site of injection. [1-2]

The easiest way to prevent and manage this is to rotate injection sites each time you take your medication. You can do this by alternating between different areas on the body such as the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm or simply choosing a different position at the same injection site.

If you do experience injection site reactions, you can apply a cold compress to the affected area which can help reduce swelling and pain. Non-drowsy antihistamines or local antihistamine creams can also help soothe inflammation.

Fatigue

Fatigue is characterized by a persistent feeling of tiredness, weakness, or lack of energy that can significantly impact how you perform daily activities. The onset and severity of fatigue is different for everyone, with some people experiencing mild symptoms that resolve over time, while others struggle with more persistent symptoms. [2]

If you're experiencing fatigue while taking GLP-1 medication, it's important to make sure you're getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and eating enough nutrient-dense food to fuel your body.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are some of the most common side effects associated with GLP-1 agonists due to the direct effects of the medication on your central nervous system. [1-2]

A lot of people find nausea to be particularly intense when they first start treatment, or after they increase their dose, while their body adapts to the medication.

To help alleviate nausea, we recommend staying hydrated, avoiding strong smells and eating crackers, mint, or ginger-based foods or drinks about half an hour after taking medication. Eating slowly and stopping when full can also help reduce the likelihood of experiencing nausea, and you may also find that having more frequent meals in smaller amounts can help manage vomiting.

If you're still finding nausea difficult to manage, you can discuss your symptoms with the Levity clinical team and explore whether moving to a lower dose may be beneficial for you.

If your side effects are persistent, worsening or you have any serious concerns about them, speak to your healthcare provider for advice. Even mild side effects can have long-term effects if left untreated. 

Serious side effects

While GLP-1 medications are proven to be highly effective for weight management, it's important to be aware of the serious side effects they may cause. Although rare, some people may experience complications that require immediate medical attention.

One of the serious side effects of weight loss medications is acute pancreatitis, or inflammation of your pancreas. The pancreas is located behind the stomach and is crucial for healthy digestion and blood sugar control. Symptoms of pancreatitis include: severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. Pancreatitis needs to be treated in hospital by a healthcare professional. If you're worried you might have pancreatitis, stop taking your medication immediately and seek medical attention. [1-2]

In rare cases, GLP-1 agonists have been linked to acute kidney injury. This can happen if you become dehydrated, which causes reduced blood flow to your kidneys. Symptoms of sudden changes in kidney function include decreased urine output and swelling in the legs. [1-2]

Like any medication, weight loss medication can cause severe allergic reactions or, in rare cases, anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction that happens very quickly). Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include shortness of breath or wheezing, swelling of your throat or tongue, hives, difficulty swallowing, and a red rash. [1-2]

If you’re experiencing severe side effects or a severe allergic reaction, you should call 911 and seek immediate medical attention. You should also stop the medication and inform the Levity clinical team about any serious side effects or reactions once you've been treated.

Lack of expected results

While not technically considered a side effect, in some cases people may not experience the desired weight loss or outcomes from treatment.

Sometimes, a lack of results can be caused by common side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, because they impact your ability to tolerate and adhere to treatment. In other cases, factors such as underlying health conditions, genetic predispositions, lifestyle habits, and medications can influence how you respond to weight loss medication. [5] This is why it's essential to work with the Levity team to find the most effective treatment you can tolerate with minimal side effects. If you have any questions or concerns about how quickly you're seeing results, please reach out to our clinical team for advice.

Support managing side effects

Our Levity clinical team is here to support you during your weight loss journey. If you have any questions or concerns about side effects or how to manage them, don’t hesitate to contact us.

‍

References:

[1] HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION [Internet]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/215866s000lbl.pdf

[2] HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION [Internet]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/215256s005lbl.pdf

[3] Wharton S, Davies M, Dicker D, Lingvay I, Mosenzon O, Rubino DM, et al. Managing the gastrointestinal side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists in obesity: recommendations for clinical practice. Postgraduate Medicine. 2021 Nov 29;134(1):14–9.

[4] Liu BD, Udemba SC, Liang K, Tarabichi Y, Hill H, Fass R, et al. Shorter-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are associated with increased development of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and its complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a population-level retrospective matched cohort study. Gut [Internet]. 2023 Sep 22 [cited 2023 Oct 19]; Available from: https://gut.bmj.com/content/early/2023/09/21/gutjnl-2023-329651

[5] Ozempic: 5 Reasons People Don’t Lose Weight on GLP-1 Drugs [Internet]. Healthline. 2024. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-glp-1-drugs-may-not-work