In the body
Constipation, diarrhea and gas
When to get care, and what's known about the gut on these medicines.
Constipation and diarrhea are common with these medicines, and constipation can last for weeks. First, when to get care.
When to get care
Now
If your belly is swollen and hard, with strong cramps and vomiting, and you can't poop or pass gas, get emergency care now.
The labels list reports of blocked bowel with these medicines.
Now
If you have strong belly pain that won't go away, sometimes reaching your back, with or without vomiting, get emergency care now.
The labels say to stop the medicine and call your doctor. Heavy drinking is one of the most common causes of pancreatitis: if the pain came after drinking, don't wait it out.
Now
If you faint, feel confused or are barely peeing, call emergency services now.
Losing a lot of fluid can harm the kidneys. Training, sport in the sun, heat, sauna and hangovers all add to the loss.
Today
If vomiting or diarrhea won't let you keep fluids down, get care today, from your doctor or an urgent care service.
The same if vomiting lasts over 2 days, diarrhea over 7, there's blood in your stool, or dark, scant pee and dizziness when standing don't improve with oral rehydration salts.
Soon
If you go several days without a bowel movement and water, fiber and moving more don't help, talk to your doctor in the next few days.
This is for constipation without strong pain. It's very common with these medicines and can last for weeks.
What's known
In the large trials, constipation affected about 1 in 8 to 1 in 4 people on these medicines, and diarrhea about 1 in 5 to 1 in 3, both more than on placebo.
Constipation behaves differently from nausea. In semaglutide trials, a bout of diarrhea lasted a median of 3 days, while constipation lasted a median of 47 days and stayed about as common from week 10 on.
Too much protein and greasy food at once can make constipation worse, and large or greasy meals can make diarrhea worse.
What usually helps
- Fluids through the day, and more when you have diarrhea
- Fiber from food, added little by littlePrunes and other dried fruit can help.
- Moving every day
- Smaller meals, without too much greasy food at once
To take to your appointment
- My constipation has lasted weeks. What can I do, and what should I watch for?
- I've had diarrhea on and off. Is there anything we should check?
Your stomach in the first weeks
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