Conditions · FAQ
What side effects can GLP-1 medicines cause during obesity and weight management treatment?
Short answer
GLP-1 medicines can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach discomfort. More serious problems can also occur. Contact your care team about symptoms that persist or make eating and drinking difficult. Severe belly pain, trouble breathing, or signs of a serious allergic reaction need urgent medical attention.
Digestive side effects are common with GLP-1 medicines, especially when starting treatment or raising a dose. These may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or stomach pain. Do not raise your dose on your own or push through symptoms that prevent you from eating or drinking.
Contact your care team if symptoms persist, feel severe, or interfere with daily life. Repeated vomiting or diarrhea can cause dehydration and kidney problems. Seek prompt medical care for severe or lasting belly pain, especially if it spreads to your back, or for upper belly pain with fever or yellow skin or eyes.
Call 911 for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or other signs of a severe allergic reaction. Low blood sugar is also possible, especially when a GLP-1 medicine is used with insulin or certain diabetes medicines. Your physician should review the risks of your specific prescription and explain which symptoms require urgent care before you begin treatment.
Sources
Written by the Verra clinical team · Medical review pending
General information, not medical advice. If you're in crisis, call or text 988.
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