Tirzepatide Constipation: How Common, Why
Yes. Constipation is listed in 2 of 2 tirzepatide labels. The highest rate in each label runs from 7% on Mounjaro to 17% on Zepbound. Placebo in the Zepbound trials: 5%. Smaller, slower meals help most.
- Labels that list it
- 2 of 2
- Highest rate
- 17% Zepbound
- Lowest rate
- 7% Mounjaro
Zepbound facts at a glance
Its half-life is 5 to 6 days: half remains at 5.5 d, and five half-lives (27.5 d) leave about 3%.
Over 72 weeks, SURMOUNT-1 showed 20.9% of body weight, compared with 3.1% on placebo.
Monthly prices are listed in US dollars, including list prices and self-pay offers taken from the maker's price page.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), Eli Lilly 1 2, cnbc.com.
Tirzepatide compared with placebo: how often it appears
The label trials break down Tirzepatide constipation by dose group. That trial also used placebo as its comparison group.
| 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 |
| Zepbound 5 mg | 17% | 5% | +12 points | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
| Zepbound 10 mg | 14% | 5% | +9 points | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
| Zepbound 15 mg | 11% | 5% | +6 points | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
Sources: Mounjaro label (DailyMed), Zepbound label (DailyMed).
Constipation with tirzepatide compared with other GLP-1s
Each label relies on separate trials that involved different groups of people. Consider this a rough guide.
The table lists Rybelsus and Foundayo as pill forms.
| 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 tirzepatide
These medicines slow down how quickly the stomach empties. Food remains longer, which can lead to constipation, especially after large or fatty meals.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.
Details from the Mounjaro label
The label uses these exact words about constipation:
“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: FDA label (DailyMed).
What helps, step by step
- Drink water throughout the day to help keep stools soft.
- Take a short walk. Moving helps the gut move.
- Use a small stool to support your feet while sitting on the toilet.
- Ask about laxatives or stool softeners from a drugstore.
- Eat smaller meals and stop when you feel full. These medicines slow down how fast the stomach empties.
- Eat slowly. Your brain needs time to register that you feel full.
- Tell your prescriber if the constipation does not ease. Your prescriber may reduce the pace of dose increases or suggest another GLP-1.
Use the interactions checker to check any drugstore product for GLP-1 interactions before taking it.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.