Zepbound Constipation: How Common, How Long It Lasts
Yes. In the Zepbound trials, 17% of people on 5 mg had constipation, against 5% on placebo: about 3 times the placebo rate. It is the third most common side effect in that table. Smaller, slower meals help most.
- In the Zepbound label
- Yes, with a rate
- On Zepbound 5 mg
- 17%
- On placebo
- 5%
- Rank in the label table
- 3 of 16
A quick look at Zepbound
Half-life 5 to 6 days: after 5.5 d, half is gone, and about 3% remains after five half-lives (27.5 d).
In SURMOUNT-1 at 72 weeks, the result was 20.9% of body weight versus 3.1% on placebo.
Monthly prices in US dollars include list prices and self-pay offers. Each comes from the maker's price page.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), Eli Lilly 1 2, cnbc.com.
Zepbound vs placebo: how often it shows up
For each dose group, the label trials report Zepbound constipation. In that same trial, the placebo group serves as the comparison group.
| Medicine and dose | Constipation | Placebo | More than placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
Source: Zepbound label (DailyMed).
Constipation compared across Zepbound and other GLP-1s
Each label reports trials with different groups of people. Treat this as a rough guide.
The table includes the pill forms Rybelsus and Foundayo too.
| 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 DailyMed label.
Zepbound: the reason it happens
These medicines slow stomach emptying. Because food sits longer, Constipation can follow, most of all after you eat a big or fatty meal.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.
What the Zepbound label says
Constipation appears in the label
“Gastrointestinal: acute pancreatitis, hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis sometimes resulting in death, ileus, intestinal obstruction, severe constipation including fecal impaction”
Source: FDA DailyMed label.
What helps, step by step
- Drink water throughout the day to keep stools soft.
- Take a brief walk. Movement helps keep the gut moving.
- While using the toilet, place your feet on a small stool.
- Ask about getting a stool softener or laxative from a drugstore.
- Eat smaller meals and stop when you feel full. These medicines cause the stomach to empty more slowly.
- Eat slowly. Your brain takes time to notice when you are full.
- Tell your prescriber if it does not improve. The dose increases may be slowed by your prescriber, who may also suggest a different GLP-1.
You should check anything from the drugstore with the GLP-1 interactions checker before taking it.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.