Symptom Management
Understanding and managing side effects is an important part of your GLP-1 journey. Learn about common symptoms, why they occur, and evidence-based strategies to help you feel your best.
Digestive Symptoms
GLP-1 medications work by slowing digestion, which can cause temporary digestive changes.
A feeling of queasiness or upset stomach, especially after eating.
When It Occurs
Most common during the first few weeks of treatment and after dose increases. Often worse after large meals or fatty foods.
Why It Happens
GLP-1 medications slow gastric emptying, meaning food stays in your stomach longer. This can trigger nausea signals, especially as your body adjusts to the medication.
What To Do
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals
- Avoid fatty, greasy, or spicy foods
- Eat slowly and stop when you feel full
- Stay hydrated with small sips of water
- Try bland foods like crackers, toast, or rice
- Ginger tea or ginger supplements may help
When To Seek Help
Contact your healthcare provider if nausea is severe, persistent beyond 2-3 weeks, prevents you from eating or drinking, or is accompanied by vomiting that won't stop.
Difficulty passing stools or having fewer bowel movements than usual.
When It Occurs
Can develop within the first few weeks and may persist throughout treatment if not addressed.
Why It Happens
Slower digestion means food moves through your intestines more slowly, allowing more water to be absorbed and resulting in harder stools.
What To Do
- Increase fiber intake gradually (fruits, vegetables, whole grains)
- Drink plenty of water (at least 8 glasses daily)
- Stay physically active
- Consider a fiber supplement if needed
- Establish regular bathroom routines
When To Seek Help
Contact your provider if you haven't had a bowel movement in more than 3 days, experience severe abdominal pain, or notice blood in your stool.
Loose, watery stools occurring more frequently than normal.
When It Occurs
May occur during initial treatment or after dose adjustments. Some people experience alternating constipation and diarrhea.
Why It Happens
Changes in gut motility and digestion patterns can temporarily disrupt normal bowel function.
What To Do
- Stay well hydrated with water and electrolyte drinks
- Avoid dairy, fatty foods, and high-fiber foods temporarily
- Eat bland, easily digestible foods (BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, toast)
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol
When To Seek Help
Seek medical attention if diarrhea is severe, lasts more than 2-3 days, contains blood, or you show signs of dehydration.
Burning sensation in the chest or throat, often after eating.
When It Occurs
May occur after meals, when lying down, or during dose adjustment periods.
Why It Happens
Slowed gastric emptying means food and stomach acid remain in the stomach longer, increasing the chance of acid moving back up into the esophagus.
What To Do
- Eat smaller meals
- Avoid eating 2-3 hours before lying down
- Limit trigger foods (spicy, fatty, acidic, caffeine)
- Elevate the head of your bed
- Avoid tight clothing around your abdomen
- Over-the-counter antacids may help
When To Seek Help
Contact your provider if heartburn is frequent (more than twice a week), severe, interferes with eating, or is accompanied by difficulty swallowing.
Energy & Wellbeing
Your body is adjusting to significant metabolic changes, which can affect your energy levels and overall wellbeing.
Feeling unusually tired, low energy, or lacking motivation for daily activities.
When It Occurs
Often most noticeable in the first few weeks of treatment, especially if caloric intake drops significantly.
Why It Happens
Reduced calorie intake means less fuel for your body. Additionally, your metabolism is adjusting to new hormone signals, which can temporarily affect energy levels.
What To Do
- Ensure adequate protein intake (prevents muscle breakdown)
- Don't skip meals – eat regularly even if portions are smaller
- Prioritize quality sleep (7-9 hours)
- Light exercise can actually boost energy
- Consider a multivitamin if eating less
- Stay hydrated
When To Seek Help
Contact your provider if fatigue is severe, doesn't improve after a few weeks, affects your ability to work or function, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
Feeling lightheaded, unsteady, or like the room is spinning.
When It Occurs
May occur when standing up quickly, after meals, or during the initial adjustment period.
Why It Happens
Can result from reduced food intake, dehydration, or changes in blood sugar levels as your body adjusts.
What To Do
- Stand up slowly from sitting or lying positions
- Stay well hydrated throughout the day
- Eat regular meals to maintain blood sugar
- Avoid alcohol
- Sit or lie down if you feel dizzy
When To Seek Help
Seek immediate care if dizziness is severe, accompanied by fainting, chest pain, or difficulty speaking.
Pain or pressure in the head ranging from mild to moderate.
When It Occurs
Most common during the first few weeks of treatment, often improving as the body adjusts.
Why It Happens
Can be related to changes in eating patterns, dehydration, blood sugar fluctuations, or general metabolic adjustments.
What To Do
- Drink plenty of water
- Maintain regular eating schedule
- Get adequate sleep
- Limit caffeine if consuming excessively
- Over-the-counter pain relievers as needed
- Rest in a quiet, dark room if severe
When To Seek Help
Contact your provider if headaches are severe, persistent, accompanied by vision changes, or don't respond to usual treatments.
Physical Symptoms
Some physical changes may occur as your body composition shifts during weight loss.
Loss of muscle mass and strength alongside fat loss during weight reduction.
When It Occurs
Can occur throughout treatment, especially with rapid weight loss or inadequate protein intake.
Why It Happens
When you lose weight, your body burns both fat and muscle for energy. Without proper protein intake and exercise, muscle loss can be significant – up to 25-40% of weight lost may be muscle.
What To Do
- Prioritize protein – Aim for 1.0-1.2g per kg of body weight daily
- Resistance training – 2-3 sessions per week minimum
- Spread protein intake – Include protein in every meal
- Don't drastically cut calories – Moderate deficit preserves muscle
- Consider protein supplements if struggling to meet goals
- This is exactly why MuscleGuard exists – explore our Education and Tracking sections!
When To Seek Help
Discuss with your provider if you notice significant weakness, difficulty with daily activities, or are losing weight too rapidly (more than 2-3 lbs per week).
Redness, swelling, itching, or discomfort at the injection site.
When It Occurs
Can occur immediately after injection or within the first day. Usually resolves within a few days.
Why It Happens
Normal immune response to the injection. The medication and needle can cause local tissue irritation.
What To Do
- Rotate injection sites regularly
- Allow refrigerated medication to warm slightly before injecting
- Apply a cold compress if needed
- Don't rub the injection site
- Ensure proper injection technique
When To Seek Help
Contact your provider if you notice signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, pus), severe pain, or reactions that worsen or don't heal.
Noticeable increase in hair shedding or thinning hair.
When It Occurs
May begin 2-4 months after starting treatment or significant weight loss. Often temporary.
Why It Happens
Rapid weight loss and reduced calorie intake can trigger telogen effluvium – a stress response that shifts hair follicles into a resting phase. This is related to the weight loss itself rather than the medication directly.
What To Do
- Ensure adequate protein intake
- Take a multivitamin with biotin, zinc, and iron
- Avoid crash dieting – lose weight gradually
- Be gentle with hair (avoid tight styles, heat)
- Stay patient – hair typically regrows once weight stabilizes
When To Seek Help
Consult your provider if hair loss is severe, patchy, or accompanied by other symptoms. They may check for nutritional deficiencies.
Need More Support?
MuscleGuard offers comprehensive resources to help you manage your GLP-1 journey, from educational content to progress tracking.