Zepbound Diarrhea: How Common, How Long It Lasts, What Helps
Yes. In the Zepbound trials, 23% of people on 15 mg had diarrhea, against 8% on placebo: about 3 times the placebo rate. It is the second most common side effect in that table. Smaller, slower meals help most.
- In the Zepbound label
- Yes, with a rate
- On Zepbound 15 mg
- 23%
- On placebo
- 8%
- Rank in the label table
- 2 of 16
A quick look at Zepbound
Its half-life is 5 to 6 days. After 5.5 d, half is gone, and about 3% remains after five half-lives (27.5 d).
Over 72 weeks in SURMOUNT-1, the result was 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. Each comes from the maker's price page.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), Eli Lilly 1 2, cnbc.com.
A comparison of Zepbound and placebo: how often it happens
The label trials include Zepbound diarrhea results for each dose group. That same trial used placebo for its comparison group.
| Medicine and dose | Diarrhea | Placebo | More than placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zepbound 5 mg | 19% | 8% | +11 points | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
| Zepbound 10 mg | 21% | 8% | +13 points | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
| Zepbound 15 mg | 23% | 8% | +15 points | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
Source: Zepbound label (DailyMed).
Diarrhea: a comparison of Zepbound with other GLP-1s
Every label covers its own trials, which used different groups of people. Treat it as a rough guide.
The table also lists the pill forms: Rybelsus, Foundayo.
| Medicine | Highest rate in the label | Dose group | Placebo | People in the trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Wegovy | 30% | 2.4 mg | 16% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Foundayo | 25% | 17.2 mg | 11% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
| Zepbound | 23% | 15 mg | 8% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Saxenda | 20.9% | all doses | 9.9% | Adults with obesity or overweight (weight management) |
 Mounjaro | 17% | 15 mg | 9% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Byetta | 13% | all doses | 6% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Trulicity | 12.6% | 1.5 mg | 6.7% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Victoza | 12% | 1.8 mg | 4% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Rybelsus | 10% | 14 mg | 4% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
 Ozempic | 8.8% | 1 mg | 1.9% | Adults with type 2 diabetes |
Sources: Ozempic label (DailyMed), Wegovy label (DailyMed), Rybelsus label (DailyMed), Mounjaro label (DailyMed), Zepbound label (DailyMed), Foundayo label (DailyMed), Trulicity label (DailyMed), Saxenda label (DailyMed), Victoza label (DailyMed), Byetta label (DailyMed).
Source: FDA DailyMed label.
What leads to this while you take Zepbound
These medicines slow stomach emptying. Food remains in the stomach longer, which can cause diarrhea, most often after large or fatty meals.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.
What Zepbound's label says
The label mentions diarrhea in these exact words:
“of the reported events occurred in patients who experienced gastrointestinal adverse reactions leading to dehydration such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].”
Source: FDA DailyMed label.
What helps, step by step
- To replace fluids and salts, drink water and an electrolyte drink.
- Choose soft, bland foods with little fiber for a while.
- Reduce the caffeine, alcohol and milk drinks you have.
- Get your prescriber's advice about an anti-diarrhea medicine sold at a drugstore.
- Eat less at each meal, and stop once you feel full. These medicines slow down how fast your stomach empties.
- Eat slowly. Your brain needs time to recognize when you are full.
- If the diarrhea does not ease, tell your prescriber. Another GLP-1 may be suggested, or the dose increases may be slowed.
Before taking anything from the drugstore, check it against the GLP-1 interactions checker.
Source: health.clevelandclinic.org.