Side Effects of Semaglutide / Tirzepatide

Patients may experience:

• Nausea - This typically happens the first month. Your body will get used to the medication and this should go away. It may also happen when you go up in dosing. Peppermint can help with this. Some patients find smelling an alcohol swab also helps with nausea. 

• Constipation - This can occur when you do not eat enough fiber and/or drink enough water. You can take a stool softener like Senna or Docusate Sodium over the counter. Add fiber to your diet. Flaxseed is an easy way to add fiber.

• Heartburn or sulfa burps - This is usually caused by high fat, greasy or fried foods. You can try Tums, Alta-Seltzer or Mylanta. Make sure you identify which foods caused this and avoid them next time.

• Fatigue - This typically occurs in the first month. Make sure you are eating carbohydrates and getting enough hydration. Many patients are also low in Vit D and Vit B12.  We have both available by injection to help combat the fatigue. Check with your provider to see if you could benefit from a supplement.

• Redness/swelling at the injection site - This can happen occasionally. Try using an ice pack to decrease the redness and swelling. 

Reach out to your provider with any side effects or concerns.