Mounjaro Can Cause Constipation: Here’s How to Get Relief

Tirzepatide is a weekly injectable prescription medication that’s approved by the FDA to treat Type 2 diabetes under the brand name Mounjaro. Tirzepatide is also FDA-approved for chronic weight management under the brand name Zepbound.

People who take Mounjaro can experience side effects, such as constipation. But there are ways to help prevent constipation when taking Mounjaro. Here’s everything you need to know to manage Mounjaro-related constipation.

Does Mounjaro cause constipation?

Yes, Mounjaro can cause constipation.

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In clinical trials, constipation was a commonly reported side effect among people taking Mounjaro. About 6% to 7% of people in the clinical studies experienced constipation while taking Mounjaro. More recent studies also suggest that people taking Mounjaro are more likely to experience constipation than people taking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, like Ozempic (semaglutide).

But there’s some good news. First, in clinical trials, people taking higher doses weren’t more likely to have constipation. So, taking a higher dose doesn’t mean you’re more likely to develop constipation. 

Second, people don’t experience constipation as often as they do other digestive problems like nausea, stomach upset, and diarrhea. And, in clinical trials, only a small number of people who developed side effects decided to stop taking Mounjaro. This is a sign that the benefits of sticking with the medication outweigh the negatives of side effects. 

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Why does Mounjaro cause constipation?

It’s not clear why tirzepatide causes gut-related side effects. But it likely has to do with how tirzepatide affects the gut. 

Tirzepatide slows down how fast the stomach empties. This helps people feel fuller longer so they eat less throughout the day. But this also means they’re more likely to drink less fluid throughout the day. Also, tirzepatide tells your body to release more insulin. Insulin can slow down how fast the gut moves, too. The combination of a slow-moving gut and less fluid intake leads to constipation. 

A slower-moving gut means you poop less often. The stool in your gut sits around longer, becoming harder and more difficult to pass. Also, if you’re drinking less water, your stool becomes dry and even harder. 

Less fiber intake is another reason people might develop constipation while taking Mounjaro. Fiber bulks stool and makes it easier to pass. But fiber intake can also worsen other Mounjaro-related side effects like nausea, gassiness, and bloating. People may naturally avoid fiber-rich foods while taking Mounjaro, which further worsens their constipation.  

How long does Mounjaro constipation last?

It’s not clear. There are no studies looking at how long constipation lasts after starting Mounjaro. But in general, side effects from GLP-1 agonists get better over time. It’s likely that Mounjaro-related constipation follows the same pattern. As your body gets used to the medication, your stooling patterns will start to return to normal. It’s just not clear how long this will take. 

Other GLP-1 agonists may offer some clues. Ozempic is a GLP-1 agonist and also causes constipation. Studies suggest that Ozempic-related constipation lasts about 6 weeks. It’s possible that Mounjaro-related constipation may also take several weeks to resolve. 

How can you treat constipation from Mounjaro?

There are things you can do to manage constipation from Mounjaro:

• Drink more water. You’re less likely to drink enough fluids while taking Mounjaro. Set yourself a daily water goal and use a water bottle to help keep track of how much you drink. Most people need between 2.7 L and 3.7 L of water each day.

• Move more. Physical activity gets all the muscles in your body moving, including the ones around your intestines. Adding a walk or exercise to your daily routine can help treat your constipation and helps Mounjaro work better, too. 

• Focus on fiber. You can add more fiber to your diet by eating high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You can also try a fiber supplement, like Metamucil. Make sure to slowly add fiber into your daily routine. But keep in mind that taking too much fiber too fast can worsen other Mounjaro side effects like gassiness and bloating.

• Change your toilet habits. Getting back to basics can help you with constipation. Make the most of your gastrocolic reflex by trying to stool about 30 minutes after a meal. You can also use a toilet stool to raise your feet (like a Squatty Potty). This can make it easier to have a bowel movement. And if at any point during the day you get the urge to go, don’t put it off. Use your body’s natural reflexes to get your stooling patterns back on track.

• Try a laxative. There are many types of over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives that can make it easier to have a bowel movement. Each type of laxative works differently. Your healthcare professional may have suggestions about which laxatives work best for Mounjaro-related constipation.

Talk with your healthcare professional if these tips don’t offer you relief. They may have additional tips and suggestions to help ease your constipation so you can keep taking Mounjaro.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP

Dr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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