GLP-1 Side Effects Type 2 Diabetes: Prevention Guide
- Side effects are a common complaint for people taking GLP-1s.
- "The majority of people will experience some degree of gastrointestinal issues wiht a GLP-1,especially as we start the medication and increase the dose," says shiara Ortiz-Pujols, MD, MPH,...
- Though, while roughly 50 to 60 percent of people can experience gastrointestinal distress at the outset, this number decreases over time, according to research.
Side effects are a common complaint for people taking GLP-1s. Actually, research shows that the side effects cause some people to stop taking the medication altogether.
“The majority of people will experience some degree of gastrointestinal issues wiht a GLP-1,especially as we start the medication and increase the dose,” says shiara Ortiz-Pujols, MD, MPH, a weight management physician at Northwell Health Physician Partners Surgery in Staten Island, New York.
Though, while roughly 50 to 60 percent of people can experience gastrointestinal distress at the outset, this number decreases over time, according to research.
Many of the side effects listed below can happen to anyone, but some people – such as those with underlying gastric motility disorders or gastroparesis – can be more at risk for them than others, says Kristin Criner, MD, an endocrinologist and associate professor of clinical medicine at the Lewis katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia.
If you’re starting a GLP-1, here’s how to recognize (and hopefully minimize) the most common side effects.
Nausea and Vomiting
As many as 50 percent of people on a GLP-1 will have some nausea after starting the medication. This is especially true in the first 4 to 5 weeks, when gastric emptying (the rate that food moves through the stomach) slows.
Nausea typically occurs within 24 to 48 hours, says Dr. Ortiz-Pujols. Usually, its mild, but severe nausea and vomiting can lead to dehydration or – rarely – acute kidney injury or gastrointestinal obstruction, says Dr. Criner.
To keep nausea to a minimum, try to eat at least 30 minutes after the GLP-1 dose, and stick to foods such as apples, crackers, and mint- or ginger-based foods and drinks. you may also want to avoid drinking during meals themselves. Rather, drink at least 30 minutes before or after eating.
You may also notice that certain foods are more likely to trigger nausea than others. Some common offenders include greasy, high-fat, processed, and spicy foods, and also alcohol and carbonated beverages, says Ortiz-Pujols. If that’s the case, you may want to limit them in your diet.A nutritionist can help you determine which foods to avoid.
Constipation and diarrhea
Both slowness in the gut and an urgent need to go are common side effects, says Ortiz-Pujols.