Tirzepatide Side Effects: How Common, How Long They Last
In the Mounjaro label (tirzepatide), nausea is the most common side effect: 18% on 15 mg vs 4% on placebo. Next come diarrhea and decreased appetite.
- Most common
- Nausea 18%
- Same on placebo
- 4%
- Trial group
- Adults with type 2 diabetes
Zepbound basics
A half-life of 5 to 6 days means half clears at 5.5 d. After five half-lives, or 27.5 d, about 3% remains.
After 72 weeks in SURMOUNT-1, the result was 20.9% of body weight, versus 3.1% with placebo.
Monthly prices in US dollars include the list price and self-pay offers. Each comes from the maker's price page.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), Eli Lilly 1 2, cnbc.com.
Tirzepatide side effects: label rates vs placebo
Tirzepatide is sold under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound. Each label has a table based on a separate group of people.
Mounjaro
| Side effect | Placebo | Mounjaro 5 mg | Mounjaro 10 mg | Mounjaro 15 mg | More than placebo, 15 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 4% | 12% | 15% | 18% | +14 points |
| Diarrhea | 9% | 12% | 13% | 17% | +8 points |
| Decreased Appetite | 1% | 5% | 10% | 11% | +10 points |
| Vomiting | 2% | 5% | 5% | 9% | +7 points |
| Dyspepsia | 3% | 8% | 8% | 5% | +2 points |
| Constipation | 1% | 6% | 6% | 7% | +6 points |
| Abdominal Pain | 4% | 6% | 5% | 5% | +1 points |
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Zepbound
| Side effect | Placebo | Zepbound 5 mg | Zepbound 10 mg | Zepbound 15 mg | More than placebo, 15 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 8% | 25% | 29% | 28% | +20 points |
| Diarrhea | 8% | 19% | 21% | 23% | +15 points |
| Constipation | 5% | 17% | 14% | 11% | +6 points |
| Vomiting | 2% | 8% | 11% | 13% | +11 points |
| Abdominal Pain | 5% | 9% | 9% | 10% | +5 points |
| Dyspepsia | 4% | 9% | 9% | 10% | +6 points |
| Injection Site Reactions | 2% | 6% | 8% | 8% | +6 points |
| Fatigue | 3% | 5% | 6% | 7% | +4 points |
| Hypersensitivity Reactions | 3% | 5% | 5% | 5% | +2 points |
| Eructation | 1% | 4% | 5% | 5% | +4 points |
| Hair Loss | 1% | 5% | 4% | 5% | +4 points |
| Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease | 2% | 4% | 4% | 5% | +3 points |
| Dizziness | 2% | 4% | 5% | 4% | +2 points |
| Flatulence | 2% | 3% | 3% | 4% | +2 points |
| Abdominal Distension | 2% | 3% | 3% | 4% | +2 points |
| Hypotension | 0% | 1% | 1% | 2% | +2 points |
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Serious warnings, explained simply
- A boxed warning for Thyroid C-cell tumors. This drug led to Thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents. It is not known whether people get the same result. Avoid it if your personal or family history includes medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), or if you have MEN 2.
- Inflammation of the pancreas. This drug can inflame the pancreas. If severe stomach pain continues, stop taking it and get care. The pain may move into your back.
- Low blood sugar. Taking it with insulin or a sulfonylurea raises the chance of low blood sugar, and those doses may need to be reduced.
- Serious allergic reactions. Reports include serious allergic reactions with swelling that affects the face, lips or throat. If this happens, stop taking it and get help right away.
- Kidney injury from fluid loss. Loss of fluid can lead to kidney damage. Heavy fluid loss should be reported, and you should drink fluids.
- Severe stomach and gut reactions. Stomach and gut side effects are common and can be severe. Severe gastroparesis means this treatment is not recommended.
- Diabetic eye disease getting worse. When you have type 2 diabetes, diabetic eye disease can get worse, especially if blood sugar drops fast. When you already have it, eye checks matter.
- Gallbladder disease. Gallstones or gallbladder inflammation may happen. Upper-right belly pain, fever, or yellow skin or eyes need to be reported.
- Food that enters the lungs during anesthesia or sedation. During anesthesia or deep sedation, it matters that food may stay in your stomach longer. Tell your care team before any procedure.
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).
Common side effects, one by one
- Nausea rates: 18% with 15 mg, 4% with placebo
- Diarrhea rates: 17% with 15 mg, 9% with placebo
- Dyspepsia rates: 8% with 5 mg, 3% with placebo
- Constipation rates: 7% with 15 mg, 1% with placebo
More tirzepatide questions cover Butt changes, Face changes, Headache, Muscle loss, and Hair loss.