Learn how to spot and minimize the side effects of Tirzepatide

Key Points:

1. Tirzepatide is a prescription weight loss treatment. A dual agonist, it mimics the GIP and GLP-1 hormones that help control appetite and slow digestion. 
2. For some people, this powerful effect on digestion causes side effects like nausea, vomiting or other digestion issues.
3. Starting on a low dose of Tirzepatide and slowly increasing the amount can help reduce the risk of serious side effects. Prioritizing hydration and eating small meals of nutrient-dense, fiber-rich foods can also help. 

Tirzepatide—whether injected under the skin or taken orally—is a powerful medication that can help people address their health and body weight concerns. It’s especially effective when patients shift their diet and exercise habits to include more nutritious ingredients and increased physical activity.

But because Tirzepatide mimics hormones that affect hunger and digestion, it can also cause uncomfortable side effects, especially as your body adjusts to new dosage levels.

Here, we address common prescription weight loss drug concerns to help you feel your best as you Shed It. Plus, how to mitigate side effects with some simple tweaks and tricks.

How does Tirzepatide work for weight loss?

Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist medication.

That means it mimics two hormones—glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). When we eat, these hormones are released in the gut to encourage insulin secretion, control digestion, and signal fullness in the brain.

Tirzepatide mimics these hormones, increasing their levels even when we’re not eating. So it slows the release of food in the stomach—a process called gastric emptying. It helps control blood sugar levels around the clock. It signals to the brain that we’re not that hungry, calming the “food noise” that has many of us habitually overeating. GIP may also encourage a faster metabolism and reduce inflammation.

Altogether, these factors can help us eat less and lose weight.

Common side effects of Tirzepatide

Because it affects how we digest, gastrointestinal side effects are the most common for those taking Tirzepatide.

The most common Tirzepatide side effects are mild and go away when your body gets used to the medication. To decrease the risk of side effects, your provider will likely have you start at the lowest possible dose and then slowly increase how much you take. (This process is called titrating.)

Common side effects include:

• Burping
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Gassiness
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Tiredness
• Vomiting

How to treat mild Tirzepatide side effects

Adjust your eating habits.

• Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting: Eat smaller portions. Tirzepatide slows digestion, so food fills your stomach for more extended periods. Eating smaller meals may help.
• Constipation: Add more fiber to your diet and increase your water consumption. Physical activity can also help.
• Heartburn/acid reflux: Avoid high-fat and ultra-processed foods, which need lots of stomach acid to break down. As the stomach acid spends more time in the stomach, it can travel up into the esophagus and cause pain.
• Tiredness/dizziness: Tirzepatide lowers blood sugar, but drastic swings in blood sugar levels can cause fatigue + dizziness. To keep blood sugar levels steady, graze on nutritious, high-fiber foods throughout the day. 
• Headaches: Drink plenty of water and manage nausea. If you feel dizzy or confused, you could have low blood sugar. Seek medical help if necessary.

Try over-the-counter medicines.

• For heartburn: Famotidine (Pepcid) reduces stomach acid. Take 20 or 40 mg 2 times per day for up to 12 weeks. 
• For constipation: Docusate (Colace) is a stool softener. Take 100 mg 2 times a day as needed. MiraLax is a laxative. Take 1 packet or capful daily as needed. 

Ask your provider for prescription relief.

If severe nausea doesn’t go away, request a provider callback from your patient dashboard. They may prescribe an anti-nausea medicine to help. The consultation fee is included in Shed It, and the prescription will be sent to your chosen pharmacy. You can use health insurance to pay for the medication. Or use the drug discount card Dr. B will provide to help you secure the lowest price possible.

Lower your dose.

If mild symptoms persist, request a provider callback from your patient dashboard or share your concerns during your next consultation. Instead of increasing your dose next month, your provider may have you stay on your current dose a little longer or drop you to a lower dose.

Don’t worry! Because Tirzepatide is a powerful dual-agonist medication, many patients enrolled in clinical trials achieved results on low doses. On the lowest 5mg dose, the average patient lost over 10% of their starting body weight in 4 months!

What are the severe side effects of Tirzepatide?

Most people experience only mild side effects on Tirzepatide. But in some cases, Tirzepatide may be linked to gallstones, an inflamed pancreas, thyroid issues, kidney problems and other serious concerns.

Get help right away if you experience severe side effects, including:

• Changes in urination, like making more or less urine than usual or noticing blood in your urine (these could signal a kidney issue)
• Muscle cramping
• Pain in the upper part of your stomach and a fever, yellowing in the white part of your eyes, or changes in the color of your feces
• Serious allergic reactions, like hives, itching/swelling in the throat/fact or trouble breathing
• Signs of low blood sugar, like shaking, sweating, dizziness, confusion or blurred vision
• Stomach pain that doesn’t go away
• Swollen feet or ankles
• Thyroid problems, like a bump or mass in your neck, problems breathing/swallowing, or hoarseness 
• Vomiting or diarrhea that won’t stop

How long do Tirzepatide side effects last?

People experience side effects differently.

If you notice intense side effects from Tirzepatide or mild effects persist that get in the way of your daily routine, request a callback from a provider. Getting a good night’s sleep, staying hydrated, eating nutrient-dense foods and staying active can also help.

Sources: 

Farzam, K., Patel, P. (2024). Tirzepatide. StatPearls Publishing.

Gasbjerg, L.S., et al. (2018). Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor antagonists as anti-diabetic agents. Peptides.

Jastreboff, Ania, M., et al. (2022). Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. New England Journal of Medicine.

Gorgojo-Martínez, J.J., et al. (2022). Clinical recommendations to manage gastrointestinal adverse events in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists: A multidisciplinary expert consensus. Journal of Clinical Medicine.

Sodhi, M., et al. (2023). Risk of gastrointestinal adverse events associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight loss. Journal of the American Medical Association (Jama) Network.