Mounjaro Constipation: How Common, How Long It Lasts
Yes. In the Mounjaro trials, 7% of people on 15 mg had constipation, against 1% on placebo: about 7 times the placebo rate. It is the sixth most common side effect in that table. Smaller, slower meals help most.
- In the Mounjaro label
- Yes, with a rate
- On Mounjaro 15 mg
- 7%
- On placebo
- 1%
- Rank in the label table
- 6 of 7
A quick look at Mounjaro
The half-life is about 5 days. After 5 d, half is gone, and about 3% remains after five half-lives (25 d).
SURPASS-1, 40 weeks: people with type 2 diabetes lost 7.8 kg, against 1 kg on placebo.
The maker's price page provides monthly figures in US dollars for the list price and self-pay offers.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), healthsystemtracker.org, pricinginfo.lilly.com.
How often it occurs on Mounjaro compared with placebo
The label trials group Mounjaro constipation results by dose. The placebo group is the comparison group in that same trial.
| Medicine and dose | Constipation | Placebo | More than placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mounjaro 5 mg | 6% | 1% | +5 points | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Mounjaro 10 mg | 6% | 1% | +5 points | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Mounjaro 15 mg | 7% | 1% | +6 points | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
Source: Mounjaro label (DailyMed).
Constipation on Mounjaro compared with other GLP-1s
Each label describes trials with different groups of people. Read it as a rough guide.
Also listed in the table are the pill forms: Rybelsus, 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 | – | – | – |
The label sources are 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: DailyMed FDA label.
Why it happens on Mounjaro
These medicines make the stomach empty more slowly. Constipation can appear because food lingers longer. It comes most often after large or fatty meals.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.
Findings reported in the Mounjaro label
The label lists constipation in these exact words:
“MOUNJARO were similar with the exception of dysesthesia (0.7%), decreased appetite (17%), constipation (13%), vomiting (12%), abdominal pain (10%), and fatigue (10%) [see Clinical Studies”
Source: DailyMed FDA label.
What helps, step by step
- Drink water throughout the day to keep your stools soft.
- Take a short walk. Movement helps move things through your gut.
- When using the toilet, rest your feet on a small stool.
- Ask about laxatives or stool softeners sold at the drugstore.
- Eat smaller meals and stop when you feel full. These medicines slow down how quickly the stomach empties.
- Eat slowly. Your brain needs time to recognize when you feel full.
- Tell your prescriber if it does not ease. Your prescriber may reduce the pace of dose increases or suggest another GLP-1.
Check any drugstore product in the GLP-1 interactions checker before taking it.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.