{"id":632605,"date":"2025-07-08T09:30:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T13:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=632605"},"modified":"2025-08-11T14:20:30","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T18:20:30","slug":"mounjaro-constipation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/mounjaro-constipation\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Mounjaro cause constipation?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mounjaro<\/span><\/a>, a brand-name version of <\/span>tirzepatide<\/span><\/a>, is a once-weekly injectable medication that targets both GIP and <\/span>GLP-1<\/span><\/a> receptors. It\u2019s designed to help manage blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes when combined with diet and exercise. While many users report weight loss, it\u2019s important to note that Mounjaro is FDA approved only for <\/span>diabetes<\/span><\/a> treatment. For weight management, Zepbound\u2014another form of tirzepatide\u2014is the approved option for those who are overweight or obese.<\/span><\/p>\n

People with diabetes may be more susceptible to constipation due to nerve damage, diet restrictions, or the medications prescribed to treat it. Is Mounjaro one of the treatments you need to worry about slowing things down? While constipation is one of the most common side effects of Mounjaro, it doesn\u2019t impact everyone who takes it, and there are simple ways to manage this side effect.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can Mounjaro cause constipation?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes, \u201cMounjaro constipation\u201d is definitely a thing that some people experience. For example, a study in the <\/span>New England Journal of Medicine<\/span><\/i> found that 11% to 17% of people taking tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, experienced constipation. \u201cConstipation is a fairly common side effect I see in patients who are taking Mounjaro,\u201d says <\/span>Ehsan Ali, MD<\/span>, board-certified internist based in Beverly Hills, California. \u201cIt doesn’t happen to everyone, but it’s definitely something I bring up when discussing potential side effects.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn my practice, I frequently hear patients report changes in their bowel habits, and constipation is one of the more prevalent digestive issues,\u201d agrees Annika Kariniemi, CNP, a family nurse practitioner and founder of <\/span>ProHealth Medical Weight Loss<\/span><\/a>. This symptom is most noticeable during the first month or two of starting Mounjaro, as their bodies adjust. Constipation may also show up when the dose of Mounjaro is increased, she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

When compared to other similar medications that control blood sugar, Mounjaro is typically slightly more constipating, according to Dr. Ali. \u201cWhen you look at other drugs in the GLP-1 receptor agonist family, like<\/span> Ozempic<\/span><\/a> or<\/span> Wegovy<\/span><\/a>, constipation tends to be a shared side effect, but Mounjaro does seem to hit the GI system a little harder in some people,\u201d Dr. Ali<\/a> says. \u201cThat\u2019s likely because Mounjaro targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which can slow down digestion even more than the others.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The silver lining, Dr. Ali explains, is that people who struggle with nausea or bloating while taking Ozempic actually often do better on Mounjaro. \u201cIt\u2019s really about how each person\u2019s body responds; there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all answer, but constipation is something we keep a close eye on,\u201d Dr. Ali says.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tMounjaro 5 mg\/0.5 mL (4 pens)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$872.48\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$872.48\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Mounjaro prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

Why does Mounjaro cause constipation?<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Mounjaro works by mimicking two key hormones\u2014<\/span>GLP-1<\/span><\/a> and GIP\u2014both of which play a role in blood sugar control and appetite regulation. \u201cOne of the ways these hormones work is by slowing down gastric emptying, meaning food moves through your stomach and intestines more slowly,\u201d Kariniemi explains. \u201cWhile this helps you feel fuller for longer and aids in weight loss, it can also lead to constipation because the slower transit time allows more water to be absorbed from your stool, making it harder and more difficult to pass.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Not only that, but some people on Mounjaro experience decreased appetites and end up drinking less water, which can further contribute to constipation, Kariniemi adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the most common side effects of Mounjaro?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>most common<\/span><\/a> short-term <\/span>side effects of the Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> are:<\/span><\/p>\n