Mounjaro constipation: How long it lasts, and treatment options
Mounjaro is a brand-name injectable medication prescribed to help manage blood glucose (sugar) levels in adults and children ages 10 years and under with type 2 diabetes. Doctors prescribe it along with physical activity and a balanced diet.
Mounjaro contains the active ingredient tirzepatide and belongs to a drug class called dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
If you’re constipated after starting Mounjaro, you’re not alone. Constipation was one of the most commonly reported side effects in the drug’s studies. It’s also one that you can usually manage with lifestyle adjustments and, in some cases, laxatives.
Keep reading to learn more about constipation with Mounjaro and how to relieve it.
Digestive side effects are a common side effect of tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro. Examples include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
More than 5% of adults using Mounjaro in studies reported constipation as a side effect. The percentage increased with higher doses of the drug: 6% of people using 5 milligrams (mg) or 10 mg of Mounjaro reported constipation, while 7% of people using 15 mg reported constipation.
Because constipation and some other Mounjaro side effects are dose-dependent, doctors prescribe a low dose to start. Then they increase the dose slowly, over several weeks. This helps your body get used to the drug and also helps prevent side effects.
Constipation occurs most commonly when stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract. Dual GIP and GLP-1 medications, including tirzepatide, slow the movement of food through the digestive tract, making constipation more likely. When stool moves slowly, your body absorbs too much water, making it hard, dry, and difficult to pass.
Less water intake and a low level of physical activity can also contribute to constipation.
Constipation with Mounjaro is typically mild. But, more severe gastrointestinal (GI) problems have been reported. People with certain GI diseases, such as gastroparesis, have an increased risk of severe side effects. As a result, doctors typically do not prescribe the drug for people with these conditions.
The duration of constipation varies between people. However, it’s often temporary and goes away as your body adjusts to Mounjaro.
“You should contact your doctor if your constipation becomes difficult to tolerate, if you experience severe abdominal pain, or if your constipation lasts more than a few days.”
Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
As with constipation from GLP-1 medications, tirzepatide constipation treatment centers around lifestyle changes and medications, if necessary.
If lifestyle changes don’t help, you may need to use a laxative, such as a stool softener. Many laxatives and stool softeners are available over the counter (OTC) and without a prescription.
There are no known formal recommendations about the best type of laxative for Mounjaro constipation treatment. However, the American College of Gastroenterology considers osmotic laxatives a suitable treatment for mild constipation with GLP-1 medications.
Osmotic laxatives, such as polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX) and Milk of Magnesia, pull more water into your intestines, softening the stool and making it easier to pass.
Laxatives are for short-term use. If they aren’t effective for your constipation, talk with your doctor soon. They can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether other treatments are necessary.
Constipation is a possible side effect of Mounjaro that’s usually mild and temporary. Before you start Mounjaro and during treatment, evaluate your daily water, fiber, and exercise needs. Even small increases can help prevent and manage constipation.
Laxatives are a short-term treatment option for constipation with Mounjaro. If laxatives don’t relieve constipation or it becomes difficult to manage, talk with your doctor. They can check your symptoms to determine whether Mounjaro or another factor is causing it. They can also recommend other ways to manage it.
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