Mounjaro and constipation: Yes, this diabetes drug can affect your bowel movements

Mounjaro is likely one of the diabetes medicine that may maintain blood sugar below management and likewise assist individuals to shed extra pounds. These two are the important thing advantages of this injectable medication, but it surely additionally has potential negative effects on the physique. Constipation is one such well being challenge. Utilizing Mounjaro to handle kind diabetes or drop kilos could have an effect in your bowel actions. It may make your stools more durable, so you might find yourself struggling on the bathroom. Happily, there are some things you are able to do to get reduction from constipation.

What’s Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is the model identify of tirzepatide, a drugs that is available in a pre-filled pen. It’s a blood sugar-lowering medicine that’s usually prescribed to individuals with kind 2 diabetes. “This medication works by activating two receptors referred to as GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide), which enhance the physique’s ranges of incretins (intestine hormones),” shares endocrinologist Dr Sandeep Kharb. It really works by stimulating your physique’s manufacturing of insulin every time wanted. It additionally limits the amount of sugar produced by the liver and slows down digestion, serving to in lowering blood sugar ranges.

The US Meals and Drug Administration recommends it to handle blood sugar ranges in adults with kind 2 diabetes, and never for kind 1 diabetes or weight reduction. The beginning dosage is 2.5 mg that must be injected subcutaneously within the stomach, thigh or higher arm as soon as every week. After 4 weeks, the dosage will be elevated to five mg. The utmost dosage of this medication is 15 mg.

Mounjaro and constipation: A aspect impact of this diabetes drug

In March 2025, the FDA shared that it obtained antagonistic occasion experiences which may be associated to individuals utilizing tirzepatide in doses past what has been authorized by the company. In line with the company, individuals skilled signs like vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and stomach ache. “Constipation is an anticipated antagonistic impact of Mounjaro,” says Dr Kharb.

Right here’s how Mounjaro and constipation could also be linked:

• Decreased intestinal motion: This may help management your blood sugar and maintain you full for a very long time, however decreased intestinal motion would possibly contribute to constipation.
• Lowered urge for food: There could also be a hyperlink between Mounjaro and constipation, as this medicine can cut back urge for food. “In the event you don’t eat or drink water a lot, it may possibly result in much less fibre and fluid consumption,” says the knowledgeable. Fibre is a nutrient that helps to bulk up poop and make it simpler to cross. Alternatively, enough fluid consumption is essential, because it helps to melt stools.
• Modifications in absorption of fluids: Whereas taking this medication, water in your stools could get absorbed, leading to firmer, extra difficult-to-pass stools.

Mounjaro and constipation: How you can get reduction?

Mounjaro and constipation could also be linked, however don’t fear, you’ll be able to take easy steps to get reduction. You simply should deal with easy life-style changes.

1. Keep hydrated

Be sure to have an enough quantity of water to assist soften your stools and promote common bowel actions. You simply have heard of individuals emphasising on consuming between 8 and 10 glasses of water every day. Properly, this wholesome behavior may help to melt stools and make your bowel actions common.

2. Get shifting

“Constipation will be prevented and handled by common bodily exercise, resembling strolling or swimming,” says the knowledgeable. Strolling, particularly after meals, helps digestion by stimulating intestinal exercise. This may help in stopping sluggish motion within the intestine.

3. Say sure to fiber

Fiber is not only essential to handle weight. “Going for a high-fiber weight loss program can improve your stool bulk and enhance bowel regularity,” says the knowledgeable. Together with greens, have kidney beans, chia seeds and prunes for constipation administration, as they’re all wealthy in fibre.

4. Drugs

There are stool softeners that may assist you get reduction from constipation. A number of the medicines embody magnesium citrate, docusate sodium, magnesium citrate and polyethylene glycol. Checking with a health care provider relating to these medicines and their simply out there kinds is a should.

What are the negative effects of Mounjaro for digestion?

Aside from the Mounjaro and constipation connection, it might have an effect on your digestive well being in several methods. Different negative effects of Mounjaro for digestion embody:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Diarrhea

“These are sometimes extra intense whereas beginning the medicine or growing its dosage. Over time, your physique will be capable to adapt. And so, tolerance develops, resulting in a discount in symptom severity,” says Dr Kharb.

Nevertheless, sure meals and drinks can worsen these points. “Oily and spicy meals are likely to irritate the digestive system, prolonging discomfort and triggering acid reflux disorder. Additionally, aerated drinks contribute to fuel buildup and acidity, aggravating indigestion,” says the knowledgeable.

Mounjaro long-term negative effects

Whereas there’s a hyperlink between Mounjaro and constipation, taking the medicine to handle kind 2 diabetes and shed extra pounds could result in extra negative effects. The listing contains nausea and acute pancreatitis. It’s best to seek the advice of a health care provider relating to the injectable medicine and dosage.

• It might result in muscle loss, as weight discount impacts fats in addition to muscle mass.
• Acute pancreatitis, a situation that happens when the pancreas will get swollen up and turns into infected in a brief time period, is a uncommon however documented aspect impact of tirzepatide (Mounjaro), as per analysis revealed in Cureus.
• There’s a probability of gallstones.