# Constipation on a GLP-1

> All four list it, and so do both NHS pages. Wegovy’s leaflet calls it very common, as does Mounjaro’s for weight management; Ozempic’s calls it common. In two Zepbound trials, 11% to 17% reported it, against 5% on placebo. Wegovy’s and Ozempic’s list bowel obstruction; Zepbound’s, intestinal obstruction.

Canonical: https://jabwise.app/guides/constipation. Sources checked 12 October 2026. General information, not medical advice: follow your prescriber.

## How common it is

Each source’s own words for how common constipation is, quoted as written. Zepbound’s label counts it among its most common side effects.

- **Mounjaro**: How common: "Constipation is very common in patients treated for weight management, and in the type 2 diabetes cardiovascular disease study but common in patients treated for type 2 diabetes." ([Mounjaro KwikPen patient leaflet](https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/15481/pil))
- **Zepbound**: How common: "The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with ZEPBOUND" ([Zepbound prescribing information](https://uspl.lilly.com/zepbound/zepbound.html))
- **Wegovy**: How common: "Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people" ([Wegovy FlexTouch patient leaflet](https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13800/pil))
- **Ozempic**: How common: "Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)" ([Ozempic patient leaflet](https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9748/pil))

## What else they say

- **It often eases**: Wegovy’s leaflet lists constipation with its very common side effects, and says these usually go away over time.
- **By dose in the trials**: In Zepbound’s trials, constipation was reported by 17% on 5mg, 14% on 10mg and 11% on 15mg, against 5% on placebo.
- **A severe form**: Wegovy and Ozempic list bowel obstruction, a severe form. Zepbound’s label lists intestinal obstruction after approval.
- **If it bothers you**: If a side effect bothers you or doesn’t go away, the NHS says a pharmacist or doctor may give advice on how to reduce it.

## Questions

### Is constipation a side effect of Mounjaro?

Yes. Mounjaro’s leaflet says it’s very common in people treated for weight management and in a heart study of people with type 2 diabetes, and common in people treated for type 2 diabetes.

### Does it go away?

Wegovy’s leaflet says its very common side effects, constipation among them, usually go away over time. The other leaflets don’t say so for constipation.

### When is it serious?

Wegovy’s and Ozempic’s leaflets list bowel obstruction, a severe form of constipation with stomach ache, bloating or vomiting. Zepbound’s label lists intestinal obstruction and severe constipation reported after approval. If you think you’re having a serious side effect, the NHS says call 111.

## In Jabwise: Side effects

Count the days it’s there. Each check-in asks “Any side effects currently?”, and Constipation is one tap. Side Effects counts the days you felt it, over 7, 30 or 90 days, ready for your next review.

## Getting real advice

- **A pharmacist, your doctor or NHS 111**: If you’re not sure how to use your medicine, or a side effect bothers you or won’t go away. NHS 111 if you think you might be having serious side effects, or you’ve used too much. [NHS: Semaglutide](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/semaglutide/), [NHS: Tirzepatide](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/tirzepatide/), [NHS 111 online](https://111.nhs.uk/)
- **Report a side effect**: Anyone can, not only doctors. [Yellow Card (UK)](https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/), [MedWatch (US)](https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program)

## Sources

- [Mounjaro KwikPen patient leaflet](https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/15481/pil)
- [Zepbound prescribing information](https://uspl.lilly.com/zepbound/zepbound.html)
- [Wegovy FlexTouch patient leaflet](https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13800/pil)
- [Ozempic patient leaflet](https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9748/pil)
- [NHS: Tirzepatide](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/tirzepatide/)
- [NHS: Semaglutide](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/semaglutide/)