Liraglutide Constipation: How Common, How Long It Lasts
Yes. Constipation is listed in 2 of 2 liraglutide labels. The highest rate in each label runs from 5% on Victoza to 19.4% on Saxenda. Placebo in the Saxenda trials: 8.5%. Smaller, slower meals help most.
- Labels that list it
- 2 of 2
- Highest rate
- 19.4% Saxenda
- Lowest rate
- 5% Victoza
Saxenda: a quick overview
Its half-life is about 13 hours. After 13 h, half is gone, while about 3% remains following five half-lives (2.7 d).
The figure for body weight was 7.4%, compared with 3% on placebo, in SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes, 56 weeks.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed).
How often this happens with liraglutide vs placebo
Label trials show Liraglutide constipation rates for each dose group. Placebo served as the comparison group in every trial.
| Medicine and dose | Constipation | Placebo | More than placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victoza 1.2 mg | 5% | 1% | +4 points | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Victoza 1.8 mg | 5% | 1% | +4 points | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Saxenda Saxenda | 19.4% | 8.5% | +10.9 points | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
| Saxenda Saxenda | 4.8% | 2.4% | +2.4 points | Children 12 and older with obesity |
Sources: Victoza label (DailyMed) and Saxenda label (DailyMed).
Constipation: comparing liraglutide with other GLP-1s
Each label covers its own trials, which involved different groups of people. Consider it a rough guide.
The table also includes the pill forms Rybelsus and Foundayo.
| Medicine | Highest rate in the label | Dose group | Placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Foundayo | 27% | 9 mg | 9% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Wegovy | 24% | 2.4 mg | 11% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Saxenda | 19.4% | all doses | 8.5% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Zepbound | 17% | 5 mg | 5% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
| Byetta | 10% | all doses | 2% | Adults with type 2 diabetes (with insulin glargine) |
 Mounjaro | 7% | 15 mg | 1% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Rybelsus | 6% | 7 mg | 2% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Ozempic | 5% | 0.5 mg | 1.5% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Victoza | 5% | 1.2 mg | 1% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Trulicity | Listed, no rate given | – | – | – |
Sources: Ozempic label (DailyMed), Wegovy label (DailyMed), Rybelsus label (DailyMed), Mounjaro label (DailyMed), Zepbound label (DailyMed), Foundayo label (DailyMed), Saxenda label (DailyMed), Victoza label (DailyMed), Byetta label (DailyMed).
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Why it happens on liraglutide
These medicines slow down how quickly the stomach empties. Food remains longer, which can cause constipation. This is most likely after a big or fatty meal.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.
Saxenda label information
The label mentions constipation here with the exact wording
“reactions that occurred at a higher incidence among SAXENDA-treated patients included diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, dry mouth, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, flatulence, eructation”
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
What helps, step by step
- During the day, drink water to keep stools soft.
- Take a short walk. Movement helps keep your gut moving.
- Rest your feet on a small stool whenever you sit on the toilet.
- Ask about a stool softener or laxative sold at a drugstore.
- Eat smaller meals and stop when you feel full. With these medicines, the stomach empties more slowly.
- Eat slowly. Your brain needs time to notice that you are full.
- Tell your prescriber if this does not ease. Another GLP-1 may be suggested, or the dose increases may be slowed.
Before you take any drugstore product, check it with the interactions checker for GLP-1.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.