Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) 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 this medication. Here’s everything you need to know to manage Mounjaro-related constipation.

Does Mounjaro cause constipation?

Yes, Mounjaro can cause constipation.

In clinical trials, constipation was a commonly reported side effect. About 6% to 7% of people in these 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. 

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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. 

Why does Mounjaro cause constipation?

It’s not clear why tirzepatide (as either Mounjaro or Zepbound) causes constipation. But it likely has to do with how tirzepatide affects the body. 

Tirzepatide slows down how fast the stomach empties. Tirzepatide also tells your body to release more insulin. Insulin can slow down how fast the gut moves too. These two effects make people behave differently, which can lead to constipation. 

People taking Mounjaro:

• May drink less water: Slowed stomach emptying can make you feel fuller longer. This can lead to drinking less fluid throughout the day. Drinking less fluid can cause your stool to dry out, making it harder to pass.

• Tend to eat less: Mounjaro’s effects help people feel fuller longer, so they eat less throughout the day. This can mean that they eat less fiber-rich foods, like fruits and vegetables, especially if they prioritize protein-rich foods. But a low-fiber diet creates stools that are harder to pass. 

• May poop less often: A slower-moving gut means you poop less often. If stool sits in your gut longer, it has more time to harden which makes it more difficult to pass. 

How can you treat constipation from Mounjaro?

Here are some things you can do to manage constipation from Mounjaro or Zepbound:

• 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 will help 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 poop 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 primary care provider may have suggestions about which laxatives work best for Mounjaro-related constipation.

• Check your medication list. Remember, other medications may also cause constipation. Talk with your healthcare team about whether any of your medications may be worsening your constipation. They may offer alternatives that are less likely to cause constipation. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• You can experience diarrhea while taking Mounjaro too. Here’s how to manage tirzepatide-related diarrhea.

• Looking for constipation treatments? Our experts review the best laxatives for constipation triggered by medication.

• What to drink for relief: Here are the five best beverages to sip when you’re constipated (and a few to avoid).

Talk with a 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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