Zepbound and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• DRo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started on Zepbound 2.5 back in Dec 2024. No major issues in the beginning. It definitely helps control your appetite, and you feel sick if you eat too much. After going to 5.0, I got a little more nauseated and started noticing more dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue. But I was losing the weight, so I just kept going. After going to 7.5, that's when my horror stories started. I have taken only two doses but am stopping this stuff altogether. It has truly caused me extreme dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, terrible stomach pains, and diarrhea that won't stop. I have lost 37 pounds... great... but the suffering and pain that comes with this medicine... no thanks. I'd rather be a little overweight and be happy than the constant nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Best of luck to you all, but I'm going to accept me for me."

• Fra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on the lowest dosage of Zepbound for about 3-4 months. I’ve lost 22-25 pounds. No, I haven’t increased the time spent exercising. But I am no longer hungry and stuffing junk food into my mouth. My tongue hasn’t forgotten it loves Snickers, but I am able to grab apples and be content. My nephrologist put me on it as I do have kidney disease, I was in the obese range, and I was prediabetic. It’s expensive ($400 per month), but I feel better about myself, and so it’s worth it to me. I was the fat kid in my family and have never been a thin and beautiful person. But Zepbound has given me higher self-esteem because it’s doing what it’s supposed to do… help me to shed weight in a healthy way. I do sometimes experience constipation, then a giant diarrhea round, but I feel good most of the time. I have no other side effects and have been pleased with the assistance Zepbound has given me. Thank you, Lilly Pharma!"

• SdS...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 13, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Zepbound for almost a full year. I lost weight quickly: 90 pounds. I was at my goal in 6 months. I had to go back 2 doses to maintain and stop losing weight. The nausea has not stopped. It’s better than in the beginning, but I still get it every time for 1 or 2 days after a shot. The diarrhea is terrible. It has never stopped. I get it on day 2, and it is uncontrollable. It’s been almost a year, so I would think some of these side effects would have stopped, but they haven’t. I also get sulfur burps for a day or 2 after a shot. I’m at the point where I might have to stop taking it due to the side effects. I love the weight loss, and I sure don’t want to gain it back, though."

• SMP...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 5, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I’ve lost 43 lbs in the last 9 months. I experienced some mild hair loss (but started this in menopause, so that contributed to hair loss as well), increased heart rate, although mine was low to start, some burping, and tiredness. The worst side effect for me is the diarrhea. I have it starting about 24-48 hrs after injection. It lasts on and off for about 3 days. Overall, these side effects have been mild and manageable. The weight loss has been life-changing!!"

• Sus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2024

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I’ve used Zepbound for almost 5 months & have lost 15 lbs. I experienced diarrhea at the beginning but much less now. What I didn’t expect was that my bladder issues like leaking, etc. would stop. It has been amazing! I went from needing valve & bladder surgeries to complete stoppage. I hope this info will help other women with their urology issues. Even if I never lost another pound, if another Zepbound side effect helps my bladder, I’m in!!"

• JWa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Zepbound was effective within the first week. I experienced a significant decrease in hunger and decreased interest in food. I also found that I could not always finish a meal serving in one sitting. Initially, I had minor issues in bowel habits (constipation and diarrhea). Both symptoms are minor and managed with adequate hydration and fiber-rich foods. More disconcerting have been the “egg burps” caused by bacterial action on sulfur-rich foods in a slowed GI system. I have selected less sulfur-rich foods and make a concerted effort to drink more water during a day or two following the weekly injection. This side effect seems to have moderated, perhaps as I am into the second month of my current dosage and third month on Zepbound and/or temporarily minimizing sulfurous food intake in a short period following injection. I also track my food intake and assure I am eating an adequate level of protein. I have lost 15 pounds in 10 weeks. I am 77 and a woman."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2024

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am 5'2" and 46 years old. I started Zepbound on 8/20/2024 at 166 pounds. I took the 2.5 mg dose for one month, then increased to 5 mg in Oct. and Nov. I had very mild side effects, and I steadily lost weight until last week. I have now increased to the 7.5 mg dose, and the nausea and diarrhea are pronounced. I'm down 30 pounds, but I may switch back to the 5 mg dose if the side effects don't subside."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2024

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am 55 years old and going through menopause. From weighing 165 pounds, I have gained 40 pounds. I started having sleep apnea, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. I am on my second shot of Zepbound. The side effects of the first dose were really bad, I had diarrhea for one week. The side effects are not bad now. I am sleeping better, I don't hear myself snoring, and I have lost 6 pounds."

• PRe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "On week number three, I started with stomach cramps and diarrhea. The night before, I had a huge helping of Boom Chicka Pop kettle corn. While the packaging states it only uses cane sugar, I came to the conclusion that this product (perhaps in the amount eaten) suddenly didn’t agree with me while taking Zepbound. I’ve lost 5 lbs in 2 1/2 weeks. Diarrhea and cramping subsided after 36 hours."

• Ms ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 11, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started my Zepbound journey in August 2024. I have been on .50 the whole time. I've lost 40 lbs using this medicine, which is amazing! In February, out of nowhere, I started to get side effects after my shot: nausea and diarrhea. Thinking it was the flu, I nursed myself back. Shot day is Wednesdays. On Saturday, the diarrhea came back again. I truly am excited for my weight loss journey but am literally pooped out."

• Tim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2024

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Severe nausea, horrid vomiting and diarrhea after 7.5 mg dose - did okay with 2.5 and 5 mg doses - there should be more warnings with the higher doses as this was severe. Higher doses should be reviewed further for safety reasons."

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 19, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have lost nearly 80 lbs over the past 20 months. My A1c has improved greatly, as has my sleep apnea. My weight has remained stable at 152 lbs over the past 6 months, and I am able to resume skiing and hiking! I can keep up with my peers again! I have made major life changes with my diet/eating and resuming regular exercise, and I look forward to maintaining a healthier lifestyle for the rest of my life! I experienced uncomfortable diarrhea, gas, and unpleasant burping initially, which resolved. I also experienced hair thinning, but not severe. I now have a somewhat flattened butt, which I have read is known as Ozempic or Zepbound butt, and am working on weight training exercises to rebuild muscle in my legs, glutes, and arms. I would not recommend this drug to anyone who is not able or willing to put in the hard work of developing lifestyle changes and including exercise and diet, due to the muscle loss factor."

• Joa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2024

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I'm a 64-year-old woman. 5'2" and weighed 177. I've lost 10 pounds in my first 3 weeks. With the heartburn, I had to force myself to eat last night when I wasn't really hungry. I think I ate the scrambled eggs too late in the evening. I had horrible diarrhea and vomiting. That was the first time that happened. I'm hoping it's just because I ate so late on such an empty stomach. I have had no desire to eat the first 3 or 4 days after injection. I have to remind myself to eat something."

• 1 d...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2024

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have had zero issues with the drug when I do right. If I overeat, I have diarrhea and sulfur burps for sure. When I start my day with protein and coffee, and drink lots of water, I have zero issues. But if I mess up like I did this week (ate breakfast, lunch, happy hour, snacked), I was up all night in a world of hurt, and I still haven't fully recovered. I haven't noticed a significant weight loss in 5 weeks (10 pounds), but it’s been steady. Just DO NOT OVEREAT and drink plenty of water."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 4, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "It was rough in the beginning, with diarrhea, then constipation and heavy belching. The diarrhea ended after about a month, but constipation has continued. In addition to those symptoms, I experienced an undercurrent of nausea for several months, with it being more pronounced just after eating. After about eight months, the nausea abated for the most part. I started on the 2.5 and moved up in dosage every 2 months or so. I am entering month 10 and am on the 12.5 dosage. For the first 6-7 months, I lost approximately 1.5 lbs/wk, and over the last 2-3 months that has slowed down a little. I have lost a total of 50 lbs. The other side effect I've experienced is I sometimes have low blood sugar in the mornings, so I will have juice or something to help take care of it. It is easy to use, and despite the rough start, I am pleased with the results."

• Aut...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 3, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am 45 years old and female. I have been on Zepbound for eight months. I started at 275 lbs and am now at 235 lbs. The day after I first took it, my stomach was so full it hurt, just from my normal portion sizes. Over time, the dosage has increased to 7.5. I am a little more tired than usual, but that's a small price to pay. The vast majority of side effects occur when I overeat. There's no way to know which of these I will have then: pain in my stomach, egg burps, loud flatulence, and/or diarrhea. I have been sick a lot more than usual, along with swollen lymph nodes and hoarseness, but there's no way to know if they're related or not."

• Pro...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I’ve been on Zepbound since 8/1/24 (305 lbs, 5’6). So far, I lost 65 lbs, I’m 45 lbs away from my goal. My current dose is 10 mg. I experience side effects within 24 hours of injection administration, ranging from nausea, vomiting, belching, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and dizziness. The side effects last about 24-36 hours. The medication definitely decreases my appetite and cravings. My doctor stopped my BP medication as I continue losing weight and my BP readings are good. My husband has noticed that I stopped snoring, lol. My plan is to reach my weight goal and stop the medication. I have changed my relationship with food. I look at food more as fuel for my body instead of indulging and overeating. I also introduced portion control and exercise, mostly walking and swimming. My insurance covers the medication."

• Mk6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started in January 2025 with the 2.5 dose. For the first two weeks, I experienced nausea and diarrhea off and on. For the last two weeks, I was fine. I am on my second week of 5 mg. The first week, I was so sick - I take the shot late Friday afternoon - I was in bed most of the day on Saturday with nausea and fatigue. I did vomit once. Sunday was the same. The rest of the week, I felt fine. Second shot last Friday - I was okay on Saturday - able to function but very nauseous. Woke up on Sunday and spent most of the day in bed due to nausea and fatigue. The anti-nausea medicine helps but not so much for me. Today I am functioning with some nausea. The benefits of this drug are obvious. I don't eat as much as I did before the medicine. I've lost 16 lbs so far. The nausea bothers me. I should be able to function and not get sick every weekend after a shot. I no longer have diarrhea - I am constipated instead. When I take Miralax, I cannot think about it or I get sick."

• ECT...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 11, 2025

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Effortlessly went from 250 lbs to 198 lbs in 9 months, with very minimal side effects! It took me this long to go through the gradual dosage increases. When I missed a few weeks here and there, I regained weight. I’ve been extra committed to the regularity of doses after that! My only side effects have been: some mild constipation (take mg citrate to fight that), very mild diarrhea, heartburn that increased as the dosage mg increased, although eating TUMS like candy took care of it (but expensive because I insist on having the TUMS that taste good to me), and injection site reactions (similar to a mosquito bite ≈ 3 days, managed with OTC cortisol cream and/or OTC roll-on 4% lidocaine). I used to have no off switch; was always hungry! Now, my mom (Wegovy) and I look at each other in amazement and ask, “Is this what it feels like to be normal?” She’s been up to 300 lbs, had bariatric surgery, we’ve both done keto, nothing lasted. She’s now 160!"

• DeN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2024

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "BMs are diarrhea daily, but only once or twice a day, so it's controllable. Losing weight, truly zero appetite, and when I eat, I feel full very quickly. No headaches or increased heart rate for me."