Starting a GLP-1 medication often comes with a rough few weeks. Knowing what is expected, and what is not, makes it much easier to stick with a plan and to speak up when something is off.
Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and feeling full quickly are the most common side effects of semaglutide and tirzepatide. They are usually strongest in the first weeks and after each dose increase, then ease as your body adjusts. That is why providers raise the dose gradually rather than starting high.
Eat smaller meals and stop at the first sign of fullness. Go easy on greasy, fried, and very rich foods, which tend to make nausea worse. Drink enough water, especially if you have diarrhea or vomiting, because dehydration is one of the ways these side effects can turn more serious. If side effects are not easing, tell your provider rather than pushing through.
Call a medical professional promptly for any of these, and call 911 for trouble breathing.
Brand-name labeling advises stopping semaglutide for weight loss at least two months before a planned pregnancy. Tirzepatide can make birth control pills less effective, so its labeling recommends switching to a non-oral method, or adding a backup method, for four weeks after starting and after each dose increase. Tell your provider if you are pregnant, planning to be, or breastfeeding.
Side effects are one of the reasons a licensed provider reviews your history and sets the dosing schedule. The compounded versions in Urania's catalog are not FDA-approved, which makes that review and follow-up even more important.
This guide explains general information and is not medical advice. It doesn't replace a licensed provider reviewing your own history.
