Zepbound is the brand name medication that contains the active ingredient, Tirzepatide.
Zepbound is FDA-approved to help people who are overweight or obese lose weight. The goal is to help them achieve improved health and avoid or improve weight-related diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
This sounds great, but it’s important to be aware of the possible side effects, since most Tirzepatide users will experience some degree of mild to moderate side effects.
If you do experience side effects with Zepbound, it is most likely that they will be some of these more common side effects. Luckily, these tend to go away with time, or can be managed with lifestyle or diet changes, or OTC medications.
The most common side effects of Zepbound are:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation
Digestion upset
Abdominal pain
Fatigue
Reactions at the injection site
Note that this is not the full listing of possible side effects while using Zepbound. These are just the most common side effects of this medication. To see the full list of possible side effects take a look at the FDA prescribing information for Tirzepatide.
While these side effects are less likely to happen, they are more severe and should not be ignored.
The potential severe side effects of Zepbound include:
Intense digestive issues
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
Gallbladder issues including gallstones
Kidney problems
Too low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Severe allergic reaction
Suicidal behavior or thoughts
Risk of thyroid cancer [Black Box Warning]
If these issues, or signs of these side effects are happening while you are using Zepbound, it’s important to bring this up to your doctor. If symptoms are severe or a medical emergency, get emergency medical care immediately. If these severe side effects happen to you, it’s likely that this medication is not a good fit for you, and your doctor will likely discontinue your treatment.
For the common, less severe Zepbound side effects, some people find that they only last for a few days to weeks. So, it may only be a temporary discomfort.
Also keep in mind that side effects may be worse when first starting on the medication and after dosage increases. After this, the effects may taper off.
However, if your side effects are severe, don’t seem to lessen with time, or are negatively affecting your day-to-day life – it’s worth bringing them up with your doctor. There may be some ways to help reduce these side effects to help you through your treatment.
Certain diet and lifestyle changes may improve some of the more common gastrointestinal side effects.
Since many of these uncomfortable digestive issues come from indigestion and slowed intestinal transit, making healthier choices may lead to more comfort.
Try to avoid heavy, greasy, fatty, fried, or oily foods. These are more likely to cause issues. Also go for smaller meals to avoid discomfort after eating, or from food lingering in your stomach for too long.
Getting in some movement regularly, especially after eating can also help improve digestion symptoms.
If these tips don’t help, talk with your doctor about OTC options for when you are feeling digestive upset. Some people find that certain herbal teas or supplements can help too.
Some users of Tirzepatide and similar medications may find improvements in their digestive symptoms by utilizing certain herbs, plant extracts, and minerals. The pharmacists and doctors at Zen Nutrients put together PeptideVite with a combination of these soothing ingredients just for people using injectable weight loss medications, to make the process a little smoother (and more comfortable).* Learn more about PeptideVite today, and see if it might help make your weight loss journey a more comfortable one.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.