Managing Mounjaro side effects
If you get Mounjaro side effects, this doesn’t mean you can’t tolerate the medicine. More than 1 in 10 people may get very common side effects, like nausea or diarrhoea.
Luckily, there are ways to mange side effects at home so they don’t interfere with your daily life too much. Knowing how to manage Mounjaro side effects can help you get past them, so you can continue with your treatment and reach your weight loss goals.
Very common side effects
Mounjaro Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea can be treated by:
- Drinking plenty of fluids, mainly water or electrolyte drinks like Diarolyte
- Avoid spicy, rich, fatty and greasy foods
- Avoid caffeine, pure fruit juices or alcohol as these could have laxative effects
- Using over-the-counter medicine, such as Loperamide. Most people will need Loperamide for 1 or 2 days and you shouldn’t take it longer than 48 hours without speaking to your doctor
- Resting and not over-exerting yourself
When you start to feel better, eat small portions of plain food and slowly introduce foods back if you don’t get more diarrhoea. Re-introducing food too quickly may upset your stomach, so take it slow. Just keep hydrated, as severe or long-lasting diarrhoea can cause dehydration.
If you get severe diarrhoea, speak to your doctor.
Mounjaro sickness
Mounjaro sickness is a term to cover Mounjaro nausea and vomiting which are mainly treated in the same way.
Mounjaro sickness can be treated by:
- Drinking small amounts of fluids often, mainly water or electrolyte
- Avoid spicy, rich fatty or greasy foods
- Eating small, plain meals
- Avoid caffeine, sugary drinks or alcohol
- Avoid smoking, if you smoke especially on an empty stomach
- Getting fresh air or distract yourself when feeling nauseous to try and get you mind of it, such as reading or watching TV shows
- Using over-the-counter medicine, such as anti-sickness tablets, after speaking with a pharmacist or doctor
- Resting and not over-exerting yourself
- Taking your Mounjaro dose with food, as this may alleviate some of the symptoms
When you start to feel better, eat small portions of plain food and slowly introduce foods back if you start to feel better. Re-introducing food too quickly may upset your stomach, so take it slow.
Severe vomiting can cause dehydration, so speak to your doctor if you’re sick frequently and can’t keep anything down.
Mounjaro constipation
Mounjaro constipation can be treated by:
- Eating little and often, so you aren’t putting too much into your stomach at once if you already feel uncomfortable
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Avoiding alcohol
- eating high-fibre foods or foods that act as a natural laxative such as broccoli, dried fruits, carrots or beans
- trying a stool softener or laxative which can be found over the counter
- doing stretches or gentle exercises like walking
- trying to use a low stool while on the toilet, and if possible raising your knees above your hips
If your constipation isn’t getting better with lifestyle changes and treatment, speak to your doctor.
Severe constipation can be painful and may need prescription laxatives or other medications to help.
In rare cases, bowl obstruction could occur. This is a medical emergency and you should call 999 straight away. Symptoms include bloating, stomach pain, cramping, swelling, vomiting, difficulty passing gas, fever and loss of appetite.
Common side effects
Mounjaro Burping
Burping can be treated by:
- Not eating too quickly and using a straw
- Smoking (if you do – reduce the amount as this causes more air to enter your stomach
- Avoid alcohol or fizzy drinks
- Avoid high-sugar, high-fat or greasy foods
- Drinking plenty of water
- trying mild or moderate exercise like walking, jogging or yoga
- Drinking herbal teas, such as peppermint
- Have Mounjaro with foods
- Using an over-the-counter remedy for indigestion, as this could be causing the gas in your stomach
Burping a lot on Mounjaro could be a sign of indigestion, heartburn or acid reflux. It may also help to keep a food diary, so you can see if any foods worsen your symptoms.
If it keeps happening, speak to your pharmacist or doctor about treatment for reflux that can be taken alongside Mounjaro.
Mounjaro heartburn or reflux
Heartburn or reflux (GORD) can be treated by:
- Eating small, more frequent meals
- Avoid foods and drinks that trigger your symptoms, which may include caffeine, alcohol, spicy, fatty, acidic, or greasy foods
- Sleeping with your head slightly raised to stop acid travelling back up
- Avoid laying down after eating or close to bedtime
- Eating your food slowly and chewing throughly
- Wearing comfortable loose clothing
- Stop smoking or reduce smoking if possible
- Trying an over-the-counter acid reflux or heartburn medication
if your symptoms don’t get better and you’re taking over-the-counter medication everyday, speak with your doctor. They may prescribe a different treatment that could help more.
Mounjaro tiredness
Mounjaro may cause tiredness by itself, or other side effects may make you feel tired, especially if they’re preventing you from getting quality sleep.
Tiredness can be treated by:
- Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet with plenty if nutrients
- Taking multivitamins if you’re not getting all the nutrients you need from your diet and are deficient
- Stying hydrated
- Getting regular exercise even though it’s hard to exercise when you feel tired, do what you can as exercising can improve your energy levels
- Maintaining a good sleep schedule, at least 8 hours each night
- Cutting down on screen time close to bed time
- Limiting caffeine intake, especially after midday
- Avoid alcohol
- Getting plenty of rest in the day if you’re feeling run down, especially if you have other side effects
If you keep feeling tired on Mounjaro, speak with your doctor. they may want to check this in’t caused by a lack of certain vitamins, such as vitamin D or Iron. You can also feel tired when eating less, exercising more, and changing your diet so being tired could be cause by these lifestyle changes.
Mounjaro dizziness
Dizziness can be treated by:
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Lying down until it passes, then getting up carefully and slowly
- Avoiding driving or using heavy machinery if you feel dizzy to prevent accidents
- Getting enough rest
- Avoiding stressful situations and finding ways to reduce your stress levels as this could be contributing to your dizziness
- Taking Mounjaro after food and drink
Mounjaro is most likely to cause dizziness if your blood sugar levels are low (hypoglycaemia), although you can get dizziness as a side effect with normal blood sugar levels. If you get dizziness when taking Mounjaro, and have other symptoms like a headache, weakness or irritability speak with your doctor so they can check your levels.
People with type 2 diabetes should take special care, as Mounjaro can increase the risk of hypoglycaemia if taken with insulin.
Mounjaro stomach pain
Stomach pain can be treated by:
- Eating a balanced, healthy diet
- Avoiding foods that could be triggering, such as oily, greasy, acidic, spicy, or rich meals
- Eating little and often, instead of eating a lot at once
- Using a hot water bottle or painkillers to help with the pain
- Speaking with a pharmacist about other treatments that may help, as stomach pain could be caused by nausea or acid reflux
Stomach pain shouldn’t last long with Mounjaro and could be caused by other side effects. If you get severe stomach pain that isn’t going away, it could be a sign of something more serious, such as pancreatitis.
Speak with your GP, call 111, or go to A&E if your stomach pain is severe and long-lasting.
For more general information in Mounjaro click here
