Do you struggle with your weight or has your doctor warned you that your Body Mass Index (BMI) qualifies you as obese? Do you struggle with weight-related health issues like high cholesterol, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes? Have you tried to lose weight by changing your lifestyle and eating less and exercising more but have not been able to achieve any lasting weight loss? If this sounds familiar, you may want to think about talking to your doctor about the prescription weight loss drug Zepbound. Before you decide to take Zepbound, though, you should be aware of side effects so you can better manage them.
Here is more information on Zepbound, common and less common Zepbound side effects, and how you can manage these side effects so you can safely take the drug.
What is Zepbound?
Zepbound is a prescription weight loss drug that is injected once per week. It has the active ingredient tirzepatide that mimics the hormones GLP-1 and GIP, both of which help regulate blood sugar, slow digestion, and reduce appetite. Zepbound is FDA-approved for those who have a BMI of 30 or higher and for those with a BMI of 27-30 and also have a weight-related health condition like high cholesterol, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure.
What are Common Side Effects?
There are several common Zepbound side effects that you should be aware of. They include digestive side effects like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, pain in the abdomen, indigestion, burping, and heartburn as well as other Zepbound side effects like fatigue, injection-site irritation, hair loss, and headache. Most of these side effects are mild and will go away as your body adjusts to the medication.
Ways to minimize these side effects include eating small meals throughout the day instead of bigger meals less frequently, drinking enough hydrating beverages, avoiding greasy or fatty foods, staying active, avoiding eating before bed, injecting at night, rotating the injection site, and starting with a low dose.
What are Less Common Side Effects?
Though most Zepbound side effects are not serious, there is a potential for more serious ones that you should be aware of. Less common Zepbound side effects include a risk of thyroid tumors, inflammation of the pancreas, gallbladder problems including gallstones, injury to the kidneys, serious allergic reactions, and suicidal thoughts.
If you have signs of any of these serious Zepbound side effects, it’s imperative that you immediately call your healthcare provider. Your doctor might wish to see and examine you in the office to determine if Zepbound is causing these side effects and advise you whether or not you should continue taking the medication.
Zepbound Side Effects: What You Need to Know
If you are obese and experiencing weight-related health conditions, you may benefit from using Zepbound. When you talk to your doctor about the possibility of getting on this medication, make sure you ask about Zepbound side effects so you fully understand the risks and can manage mild side effects as well as spot more serious problems. This will help you take the drug safely and use it effectively to improve your health and overall wellness.
