Zepbound Side Effects: What You Need to Know

Some people who have made healthy changes to their diet and exercise habits still can’t achieve their weight-loss goals. The pounds seemingly refuse to come off and stay off! That’s why there’s tremendous optimism around new weight-loss drugs like Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (pronounced wee-GOH-vee, a trade name for semaglutide).

Studies have found that these FDA-approved prescription medications can help patients lose weight. As a result, many individuals with obesity or weight-related conditions are considering or have started using weekly Zepbound injections.

If you’re considering Zepbound, your doctor can describe how it works and discuss whether it’s a good option for you. They’ll also explain that Zepbound, like virtually all prescription medications, has both common and serious side effects, as noted below.

Zepbound’s Common Side Effects

Zepbound can cause the following common side effects:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Indigestion
• Injection site reactions
• Fatigue
• Allergic reactions
• Belching
• Hair loss
• Heartburn

The list above is a summary that may not include all possible Zepbound side effects. If you experience any that bother you, you should talk with your doctor.

Zepbound’s Serious Side Effects

Zepbound can cause more serious side effects, including:

• Severe or persistent stomach problems
• Kidney failure (from dehydration caused by diarrhea and vomiting)
• Gallbladder problems (with symptoms like pain in the upper stomach, yellowing of the skin or eyes, clay-colored stools and fever)
• Inflammation of the pancreas called pancreatitis (with symptoms that can include severe pain in the stomach that may also be felt in the back, with or without vomiting)
• Severe allergic reactions (including swelling of the face, throat, tongue or lips, trouble breathing or swallowing, severe rash, fainting or dizziness and rapid heartbeat)
• Low blood sugar called hypoglycemia (marked by dizziness or light-headedness, feeling jittery, confusion, sweating, headache, blurred vision, slurred speech, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, hunger and weakness)
• Changes in vision in patients with type 2 diabetes
• Tumors in the thyroid, including thyroid cancer (with symptoms like a lump in the neck, trouble swallowing, hoarseness and shortness of breath)
• Depression or thoughts of suicide

If you experience any of these conditions, you should contact your doctor promptly.

Talk With Your Baptist Health Doctor About Zepbound and Its Side Effects

For many people, medications like Zepbound are helpful in meeting their weight-loss goals. If you’ve always found it difficult to lose weight, your doctor may recommend trying it.

It is important to approach these medications with optimism but also understand that there are risks ranging from mildly unpleasant common side effects to less common but more serious medical issues.

If your doctor prescribes Zepbound for you, keep them informed about any issues that arise. Some side effects may pass with time, but others might require adjusting your dosage or discontinuing the drug.

If you tolerate Zepbound well, it may be an effective option to assist in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

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