When each GLP-1 side effect arrives, peaks, and eases
Read this honestly: what follows is what happened to populations in clinical trials and what the FDA labels record. It is not a forecast for you. How fast your dose climbs, whether you have taken a GLP-1 before, how sensitive you happen to be and what else you are taking all move the curve. Anything severe, or anything that will not go away, is a phone call to your prescriber.
Pick a drug to see how its side effects run
| Side effect | Weeks 0–4 | Weeks 5–8 | Weeks 9–16 | Weeks 17–40 | Week 41+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | |||||
| Vomiting | |||||
| Diarrhea | |||||
| Constipation | |||||
| Abdominal pain | |||||
| Fatigue | |||||
| Headache |
Stop and call your prescriber for severe or persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain (possible pancreatitis), right upper-quadrant pain (possible gallbladder), or symptoms not on this timeline. Trial-derived patterns describe populations, not individuals.
Wegovy side-effect timeline
| Side effect | Weeks 0-4 | Weeks 5-8 | Weeks 9-16 | Weeks 17-40 | Weeks 41+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | PEAK (~44% cum.) (STEP-1 Table 3 (Adverse Events) — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Nausea: 577 (44.2) [semaglutide] vs 114 (17.4) [placebo] [Table 3 Adverse Events reported in ≥10% of participants]” | PEAK (~44% cum.) (STEP-1 Table 3 (Adverse Events) — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Nausea: 577 (44.2) [semaglutide] vs 114 (17.4) [placebo] [Table 3 Adverse Events reported in ≥10% of participants]” | TAPER (STEP-1 Safety section — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Most gastrointestinal events were mild-to-moderate in severity, were transient, and resolved without permanent discontinuation of the regimen.” | RESOLVED (STEP-1 Safety section — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Most gastrointestinal events were mild-to-moderate in severity, were transient, and resolved without permanent discontinuation of the regimen.” | RESOLVED (STEP-1 Safety section — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Most gastrointestinal events were mild-to-moderate in severity, were transient, and resolved without permanent discontinuation of the regimen.” |
| Vomiting | PEAK (~25% cum.) (STEP-1 Table 3 (Adverse Events) — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Vomiting: 324 (24.8) [semaglutide] vs 43 (6.6) [placebo] [Table 3 Adverse Events reported in ≥10% of participants]” | PEAK (~25% cum.) (STEP-1 Table 3 (Adverse Events) — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Vomiting: 324 (24.8) [semaglutide] vs 43 (6.6) [placebo] [Table 3 Adverse Events reported in ≥10% of participants]” | TAPER (STEP-1 Safety section — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Most gastrointestinal events were mild-to-moderate in severity, were transient, and resolved without permanent discontinuation of the regimen.” | RESOLVED (STEP-1 Safety section — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Most gastrointestinal events were mild-to-moderate in severity, were transient, and resolved without permanent discontinuation of the regimen.” | RESOLVED (STEP-1 Safety section — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Most gastrointestinal events were mild-to-moderate in severity, were transient, and resolved without permanent discontinuation of the regimen.” |
| Diarrhea | PEAK (~32% cum.) (STEP-1 Table 3 (Adverse Events) — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Diarrhea: 412 (31.5) [semaglutide] vs 104 (15.9) [placebo] [Table 3 Adverse Events reported in ≥10% of participants]” | PEAK (~32% cum.) (STEP-1 Table 3 (Adverse Events) — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Diarrhea: 412 (31.5) [semaglutide] vs 104 (15.9) [placebo] [Table 3 Adverse Events reported in ≥10% of participants]” | TAPER (STEP-1 Safety section — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Most gastrointestinal events were mild-to-moderate in severity, were transient, and resolved without permanent discontinuation of the regimen.” | RESOLVED (STEP-1 Safety section — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Most gastrointestinal events were mild-to-moderate in severity, were transient, and resolved without permanent discontinuation of the regimen.” | RESOLVED (STEP-1 Safety section — Wilding NEJM 2021). Verbatim: “Most gastrointestinal events were mild-to-moderate in severity, were transient, and resolved without permanent discontinuation of the regimen.” |
| Constipation | 24% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: 24% vs 11% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 24% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: 24% vs 11% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 24% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: 24% vs 11% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 24% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: 24% vs 11% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 24% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: 24% vs 11% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” |
| Abdominal pain | 20% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: 20% vs 10% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 20% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: 20% vs 10% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 20% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: 20% vs 10% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 20% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: 20% vs 10% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 20% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: 20% vs 10% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” |
| Fatigue | 11% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: 11% vs 5% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 11% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: 11% vs 5% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 11% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: 11% vs 5% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 11% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: 11% vs 5% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 11% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: 11% vs 5% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” |
| Headache | 14% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: 14% vs 10% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 14% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: 14% vs 10% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 14% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: 14% vs 10% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 14% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: 14% vs 10% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” | 14% cumulative (Wegovy FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: 14% vs 10% [WEGOVY 2.4 mg vs placebo, Section 6.1 most common adverse reactions table]” |
Zepbound side-effect timeline
| Side effect | Weeks 0-4 | Weeks 5-8 | Weeks 9-16 | Weeks 17-40 | Weeks 41+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | PEAK (~30% cum.) (SURMOUNT-1 Table 4 (Adverse Events) — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “Nausea: 5mg 155 (24.6), 10mg 212 (33.3), 15mg 195 (31.0), placebo 61 (9.5) [Table 4 AEs in ≥5% of participants]” | PEAK (~30% cum.) (SURMOUNT-1 Table 4 (Adverse Events) — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “Nausea: 5mg 155 (24.6), 10mg 212 (33.3), 15mg 195 (31.0), placebo 61 (9.5) [Table 4 AEs in ≥5% of participants]” | TAPER (SURMOUNT-1 Safety section — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “These adverse events ... were transient and mild to moderate in severity, and occurred primarily during the dose-escalation period.” | TAPER (SURMOUNT-1 Safety section — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “These adverse events ... were transient and mild to moderate in severity, and occurred primarily during the dose-escalation period.” | RESOLVED (SURMOUNT-1 Safety section — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “These adverse events ... were transient and mild to moderate in severity, and occurred primarily during the dose-escalation period.” |
| Vomiting | PEAK (~11% cum.) (SURMOUNT-1 Table 4 (Adverse Events) — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “Vomiting: 5mg 52 (8.3), 10mg 68 (10.7), 15mg 77 (12.2), placebo 11 (1.7) [Table 4 AEs in ≥5% of participants]” | PEAK (~11% cum.) (SURMOUNT-1 Table 4 (Adverse Events) — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “Vomiting: 5mg 52 (8.3), 10mg 68 (10.7), 15mg 77 (12.2), placebo 11 (1.7) [Table 4 AEs in ≥5% of participants]” | TAPER (SURMOUNT-1 Safety section — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “These adverse events ... were transient and mild to moderate in severity, and occurred primarily during the dose-escalation period.” | TAPER (SURMOUNT-1 Safety section — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “These adverse events ... were transient and mild to moderate in severity, and occurred primarily during the dose-escalation period.” | RESOLVED (SURMOUNT-1 Safety section — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “These adverse events ... were transient and mild to moderate in severity, and occurred primarily during the dose-escalation period.” |
| Diarrhea | PEAK (~21% cum.) (SURMOUNT-1 Table 4 (Adverse Events) — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “Diarrhea: 5mg 118 (18.7), 10mg 135 (21.2), 15mg 145 (23.0), placebo 47 (7.3) [Table 4 AEs in ≥5% of participants]” | PEAK (~21% cum.) (SURMOUNT-1 Table 4 (Adverse Events) — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “Diarrhea: 5mg 118 (18.7), 10mg 135 (21.2), 15mg 145 (23.0), placebo 47 (7.3) [Table 4 AEs in ≥5% of participants]” | TAPER (SURMOUNT-1 Safety section — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “These adverse events ... were transient and mild to moderate in severity, and occurred primarily during the dose-escalation period.” | TAPER (SURMOUNT-1 Safety section — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “These adverse events ... were transient and mild to moderate in severity, and occurred primarily during the dose-escalation period.” | RESOLVED (SURMOUNT-1 Safety section — Jastreboff NEJM 2022). Verbatim: “These adverse events ... were transient and mild to moderate in severity, and occurred primarily during the dose-escalation period.” |
| Constipation | 17% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 17%, 10 mg 14%, 15 mg 11%, placebo 5% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” | 17% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 17%, 10 mg 14%, 15 mg 11%, placebo 5% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” | 17% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 17%, 10 mg 14%, 15 mg 11%, placebo 5% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” | 17% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 17%, 10 mg 14%, 15 mg 11%, placebo 5% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” | 17% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 17%, 10 mg 14%, 15 mg 11%, placebo 5% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” |
| Abdominal pain | 10% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 9%, 10 mg 9%, 15 mg 10%, placebo 5% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” | 10% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 9%, 10 mg 9%, 15 mg 10%, placebo 5% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” | 10% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 9%, 10 mg 9%, 15 mg 10%, placebo 5% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” | 10% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 9%, 10 mg 9%, 15 mg 10%, placebo 5% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” | 10% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 9%, 10 mg 9%, 15 mg 10%, placebo 5% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” |
| Fatigue | 7% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 5%, 10 mg 6%, 15 mg 7%, placebo 3% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” | 7% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 5%, 10 mg 6%, 15 mg 7%, placebo 3% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” | 7% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 5%, 10 mg 6%, 15 mg 7%, placebo 3% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” | 7% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 5%, 10 mg 6%, 15 mg 7%, placebo 3% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” | 7% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: ZEPBOUND 5 mg 5%, 10 mg 6%, 15 mg 7%, placebo 3% [pooled Studies 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5%]” |
| Headache | <5% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache was not listed among the adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of ZEPBOUND-treated patients in the Section 6.1 primary safety analysis table” | <5% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache was not listed among the adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of ZEPBOUND-treated patients in the Section 6.1 primary safety analysis table” | <5% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache was not listed among the adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of ZEPBOUND-treated patients in the Section 6.1 primary safety analysis table” | <5% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache was not listed among the adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of ZEPBOUND-treated patients in the Section 6.1 primary safety analysis table” | <5% cumulative (Zepbound FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache was not listed among the adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of ZEPBOUND-treated patients in the Section 6.1 primary safety analysis table” |
Saxenda side-effect timeline
| Side effect | Weeks 0-4 | Weeks 5-8 | Weeks 9-16 | Weeks 17-40 | Weeks 41+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | PEAK (~40% cum.) (SCALE Table 3 (Adverse Events) — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Nausea: 997 (40.2) [liraglutide] vs 183 (14.7) [placebo] [Table 3 Adverse events in ≥5% of patients]” | TAPER (SCALE Side Effects section — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Nausea ... and vomiting occurred primarily within the first 4 to 8 weeks after initiation of liraglutide treatment.” | RESOLVED (SCALE Discussion — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal disorders are common and mostly transient side effects of treatment.” | RESOLVED (SCALE Discussion — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal disorders are common and mostly transient side effects of treatment.” | RESOLVED (SCALE Discussion — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal disorders are common and mostly transient side effects of treatment.” |
| Vomiting | PEAK (~16% cum.) (SCALE Table 3 (Adverse Events) — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Vomiting: 404 (16.3) [liraglutide] vs 51 (4.1) [placebo] [Table 3 Adverse events in ≥5% of patients]” | TAPER (SCALE Side Effects section — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Nausea ... and vomiting occurred primarily within the first 4 to 8 weeks after initiation of liraglutide treatment.” | RESOLVED (SCALE Discussion — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal disorders are common and mostly transient side effects of treatment.” | RESOLVED (SCALE Discussion — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal disorders are common and mostly transient side effects of treatment.” | RESOLVED (SCALE Discussion — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal disorders are common and mostly transient side effects of treatment.” |
| Diarrhea | PEAK (~21% cum.) (SCALE Table 3 (Adverse Events) — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Diarrhea: 518 (20.9) [liraglutide] vs 115 (9.3) [placebo] [Table 3 Adverse events in ≥5% of patients]” | TAPER (SCALE Discussion — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal disorders are common and mostly transient side effects of treatment.” | RESOLVED (SCALE Discussion — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal disorders are common and mostly transient side effects of treatment.” | RESOLVED (SCALE Discussion — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal disorders are common and mostly transient side effects of treatment.” | RESOLVED (SCALE Discussion — Pi-Sunyer NEJM 2015). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal disorders are common and mostly transient side effects of treatment.” |
| Constipation | 19.4% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: 19.4% (SAXENDA) vs 8.5% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 19.4% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: 19.4% (SAXENDA) vs 8.5% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 19.4% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: 19.4% (SAXENDA) vs 8.5% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 19.4% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: 19.4% (SAXENDA) vs 8.5% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 19.4% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: 19.4% (SAXENDA) vs 8.5% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” |
| Abdominal pain | 5.4% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: 5.4% (SAXENDA) vs 3.1% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 5.4% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: 5.4% (SAXENDA) vs 3.1% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 5.4% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: 5.4% (SAXENDA) vs 3.1% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 5.4% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: 5.4% (SAXENDA) vs 3.1% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 5.4% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: 5.4% (SAXENDA) vs 3.1% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” |
| Fatigue | 7.5% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: 7.5% (SAXENDA) vs 4.6% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 7.5% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: 7.5% (SAXENDA) vs 4.6% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 7.5% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: 7.5% (SAXENDA) vs 4.6% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 7.5% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: 7.5% (SAXENDA) vs 4.6% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 7.5% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: 7.5% (SAXENDA) vs 4.6% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” |
| Headache | 13.6% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: 13.6% (SAXENDA) vs 12.6% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 13.6% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: 13.6% (SAXENDA) vs 12.6% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 13.6% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: 13.6% (SAXENDA) vs 12.6% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 13.6% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: 13.6% (SAXENDA) vs 12.6% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” | 13.6% cumulative (Saxenda FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: 13.6% (SAXENDA) vs 12.6% (placebo) [Section 6.1 adverse reactions table]” |
Mounjaro side-effect timeline
| Side effect | Weeks 0-4 | Weeks 5-8 | Weeks 9-16 | Weeks 17-40 | Weeks 41+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | PEAK (~18% cum.) (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” | PEAK (~18% cum.) (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” | TAPER (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” | TAPER (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” | RESOLVED (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” |
| Vomiting | PEAK (~9% cum.) (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” | PEAK (~9% cum.) (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” | TAPER (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” | TAPER (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” | RESOLVED (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” |
| Diarrhea | PEAK (~17% cum.) (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” | PEAK (~17% cum.) (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” | TAPER (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” | TAPER (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” | RESOLVED (SURPASS-1 (Rosenstock Lancet 2021) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were mild to moderate and transient gastrointestinal events” |
| Constipation | 7% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: MOUNJARO 5 mg 6%, 10 mg 6%, 15 mg 7%, placebo 1% [SURPASS-1 monotherapy, Section 6.1 Table 1: Common Adverse Reactions ≥5%]” | 7% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: MOUNJARO 5 mg 6%, 10 mg 6%, 15 mg 7%, placebo 1% [SURPASS-1 monotherapy, Section 6.1 Table 1: Common Adverse Reactions ≥5%]” | 7% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: MOUNJARO 5 mg 6%, 10 mg 6%, 15 mg 7%, placebo 1% [SURPASS-1 monotherapy, Section 6.1 Table 1: Common Adverse Reactions ≥5%]” | 7% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: MOUNJARO 5 mg 6%, 10 mg 6%, 15 mg 7%, placebo 1% [SURPASS-1 monotherapy, Section 6.1 Table 1: Common Adverse Reactions ≥5%]” | 7% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: MOUNJARO 5 mg 6%, 10 mg 6%, 15 mg 7%, placebo 1% [SURPASS-1 monotherapy, Section 6.1 Table 1: Common Adverse Reactions ≥5%]” |
| Abdominal pain | 5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: MOUNJARO 5 mg 6%, 10 mg 5%, 15 mg 5%, placebo 4% [SURPASS-1 monotherapy, Section 6.1 Table 1: Common Adverse Reactions ≥5%]” | 5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: MOUNJARO 5 mg 6%, 10 mg 5%, 15 mg 5%, placebo 4% [SURPASS-1 monotherapy, Section 6.1 Table 1: Common Adverse Reactions ≥5%]” | 5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: MOUNJARO 5 mg 6%, 10 mg 5%, 15 mg 5%, placebo 4% [SURPASS-1 monotherapy, Section 6.1 Table 1: Common Adverse Reactions ≥5%]” | 5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: MOUNJARO 5 mg 6%, 10 mg 5%, 15 mg 5%, placebo 4% [SURPASS-1 monotherapy, Section 6.1 Table 1: Common Adverse Reactions ≥5%]” | 5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal Pain: MOUNJARO 5 mg 6%, 10 mg 5%, 15 mg 5%, placebo 4% [SURPASS-1 monotherapy, Section 6.1 Table 1: Common Adverse Reactions ≥5%]” |
| Fatigue | <5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue was not reported as an adverse reaction meeting the ≥5% threshold in the SURPASS-1 monotherapy Section 6.1 table” | <5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue was not reported as an adverse reaction meeting the ≥5% threshold in the SURPASS-1 monotherapy Section 6.1 table” | <5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue was not reported as an adverse reaction meeting the ≥5% threshold in the SURPASS-1 monotherapy Section 6.1 table” | <5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue was not reported as an adverse reaction meeting the ≥5% threshold in the SURPASS-1 monotherapy Section 6.1 table” | <5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue was not reported as an adverse reaction meeting the ≥5% threshold in the SURPASS-1 monotherapy Section 6.1 table” |
| Headache | <5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache was not reported as an adverse reaction meeting the ≥5% threshold in the SURPASS-1 monotherapy Section 6.1 table” | <5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache was not reported as an adverse reaction meeting the ≥5% threshold in the SURPASS-1 monotherapy Section 6.1 table” | <5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache was not reported as an adverse reaction meeting the ≥5% threshold in the SURPASS-1 monotherapy Section 6.1 table” | <5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache was not reported as an adverse reaction meeting the ≥5% threshold in the SURPASS-1 monotherapy Section 6.1 table” | <5% cumulative (Mounjaro FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache was not reported as an adverse reaction meeting the ≥5% threshold in the SURPASS-1 monotherapy Section 6.1 table” |
Ozempic side-effect timeline
| Side effect | Weeks 0-4 | Weeks 5-8 | Weeks 9-16 | Weeks 17-40 | Weeks 41+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | PEAK (~20.3% cum.) (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” | TAPER (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” | TAPER (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” | RESOLVED (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” | RESOLVED (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” |
| Vomiting | PEAK (~9.2% cum.) (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” | TAPER (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” | TAPER (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” | RESOLVED (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” | RESOLVED (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” |
| Diarrhea | PEAK (~8.8% cum.) (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” | TAPER (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” | TAPER (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” | RESOLVED (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” | RESOLVED (SUSTAIN-1 (Sorli Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2017) tolerability abstract). Verbatim: “No deaths were reported in any of the study groups and most reported adverse events were of mild or moderate severity” |
| Constipation | 5% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: OZEMPIC 0.5 mg 5%, 1 mg 3.1%, placebo 1.5% [Section 6.1 Common Adverse Reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 5% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: OZEMPIC 0.5 mg 5%, 1 mg 3.1%, placebo 1.5% [Section 6.1 Common Adverse Reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 5% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: OZEMPIC 0.5 mg 5%, 1 mg 3.1%, placebo 1.5% [Section 6.1 Common Adverse Reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 5% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: OZEMPIC 0.5 mg 5%, 1 mg 3.1%, placebo 1.5% [Section 6.1 Common Adverse Reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 5% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: OZEMPIC 0.5 mg 5%, 1 mg 3.1%, placebo 1.5% [Section 6.1 Common Adverse Reactions ≥5% incidence]” |
| Abdominal pain | 7.3% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal pain: OZEMPIC 0.5 mg 7.3%, 1 mg 5.7%, placebo 4.6% [Section 6.1 Common Adverse Reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 7.3% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal pain: OZEMPIC 0.5 mg 7.3%, 1 mg 5.7%, placebo 4.6% [Section 6.1 Common Adverse Reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 7.3% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal pain: OZEMPIC 0.5 mg 7.3%, 1 mg 5.7%, placebo 4.6% [Section 6.1 Common Adverse Reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 7.3% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal pain: OZEMPIC 0.5 mg 7.3%, 1 mg 5.7%, placebo 4.6% [Section 6.1 Common Adverse Reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 7.3% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal pain: OZEMPIC 0.5 mg 7.3%, 1 mg 5.7%, placebo 4.6% [Section 6.1 Common Adverse Reactions ≥5% incidence]” |
| Fatigue | >0.4% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Other adverse reactions with a frequency of >0.4% were associated with OZEMPIC include fatigue, dysgeusia and dizziness.” | >0.4% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Other adverse reactions with a frequency of >0.4% were associated with OZEMPIC include fatigue, dysgeusia and dizziness.” | >0.4% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Other adverse reactions with a frequency of >0.4% were associated with OZEMPIC include fatigue, dysgeusia and dizziness.” | >0.4% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Other adverse reactions with a frequency of >0.4% were associated with OZEMPIC include fatigue, dysgeusia and dizziness.” | >0.4% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Other adverse reactions with a frequency of >0.4% were associated with OZEMPIC include fatigue, dysgeusia and dizziness.” |
| Headache | <0.4% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache is not listed among the ≥5% or >0.4% frequency adverse reactions in Section 6.1 for OZEMPIC” | <0.4% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache is not listed among the ≥5% or >0.4% frequency adverse reactions in Section 6.1 for OZEMPIC” | <0.4% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache is not listed among the ≥5% or >0.4% frequency adverse reactions in Section 6.1 for OZEMPIC” | <0.4% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache is not listed among the ≥5% or >0.4% frequency adverse reactions in Section 6.1 for OZEMPIC” | <0.4% cumulative (Ozempic FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache is not listed among the ≥5% or >0.4% frequency adverse reactions in Section 6.1 for OZEMPIC” |
Foundayo side-effect timeline
| Side effect | Weeks 0-4 | Weeks 5-8 | Weeks 9-16 | Weeks 17-40 | Weeks 41+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | PEAK (~35% cum.) (ATTAIN-1 Safety section — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper time course)). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal events in the orforglipron groups were mostly mild to moderate in severity and first occurred mainly during dose escalation.” | PEAK (~35% cum.) (ATTAIN-1 Safety section — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper time course)). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal events in the orforglipron groups were mostly mild to moderate in severity and first occurred mainly during dose escalation.” | TAPER (ATTAIN-1 Safety section — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper time course)). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal events in the orforglipron groups were mostly mild to moderate in severity and first occurred mainly during dose escalation.” | RESOLVED (ATTAIN-1 Discussion — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper safety profile)). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events were predominantly mild to moderate and gastrointestinal in nature ...” | RESOLVED (ATTAIN-1 Discussion — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper safety profile)). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events were predominantly mild to moderate and gastrointestinal in nature ...” |
| Vomiting | PEAK (~24% cum.) (ATTAIN-1 Safety section — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper time course)). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal events in the orforglipron groups were mostly mild to moderate in severity and first occurred mainly during dose escalation.” | PEAK (~24% cum.) (ATTAIN-1 Safety section — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper time course)). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal events in the orforglipron groups were mostly mild to moderate in severity and first occurred mainly during dose escalation.” | TAPER (ATTAIN-1 Safety section — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper time course)). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal events in the orforglipron groups were mostly mild to moderate in severity and first occurred mainly during dose escalation.” | RESOLVED (ATTAIN-1 Discussion — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper safety profile)). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events were predominantly mild to moderate and gastrointestinal in nature ...” | RESOLVED (ATTAIN-1 Discussion — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper safety profile)). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events were predominantly mild to moderate and gastrointestinal in nature ...” |
| Diarrhea | PEAK (~25% cum.) (ATTAIN-1 Safety section — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper time course)). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal events in the orforglipron groups were mostly mild to moderate in severity and first occurred mainly during dose escalation.” | PEAK (~25% cum.) (ATTAIN-1 Safety section — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper time course)). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal events in the orforglipron groups were mostly mild to moderate in severity and first occurred mainly during dose escalation.” | TAPER (ATTAIN-1 Safety section — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper time course)). Verbatim: “Gastrointestinal events in the orforglipron groups were mostly mild to moderate in severity and first occurred mainly during dose escalation.” | RESOLVED (ATTAIN-1 Discussion — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper safety profile)). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events were predominantly mild to moderate and gastrointestinal in nature ...” | RESOLVED (ATTAIN-1 Discussion — Wharton NEJM 2025 (main paper safety profile)). Verbatim: “The most frequent adverse events were predominantly mild to moderate and gastrointestinal in nature ...” |
| Constipation | 24% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 20%, 9 mg 27%, 17.2 mg 24%, placebo 9% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 24% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 20%, 9 mg 27%, 17.2 mg 24%, placebo 9% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 24% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 20%, 9 mg 27%, 17.2 mg 24%, placebo 9% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 24% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 20%, 9 mg 27%, 17.2 mg 24%, placebo 9% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 24% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Constipation: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 20%, 9 mg 27%, 17.2 mg 24%, placebo 9% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” |
| Abdominal pain | 14% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal pain: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 13%, 9 mg 14%, 17.2 mg 14%, placebo 7% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 14% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal pain: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 13%, 9 mg 14%, 17.2 mg 14%, placebo 7% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 14% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal pain: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 13%, 9 mg 14%, 17.2 mg 14%, placebo 7% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 14% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal pain: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 13%, 9 mg 14%, 17.2 mg 14%, placebo 7% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 14% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Abdominal pain: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 13%, 9 mg 14%, 17.2 mg 14%, placebo 7% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” |
| Fatigue | 9% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 6%, 9 mg 7%, 17.2 mg 9%, placebo 4% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 9% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 6%, 9 mg 7%, 17.2 mg 9%, placebo 4% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 9% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 6%, 9 mg 7%, 17.2 mg 9%, placebo 4% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 9% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 6%, 9 mg 7%, 17.2 mg 9%, placebo 4% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 9% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Fatigue: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 6%, 9 mg 7%, 17.2 mg 9%, placebo 4% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” |
| Headache | 9% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 8%, 9 mg 9%, 17.2 mg 9%, placebo 7% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 9% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 8%, 9 mg 9%, 17.2 mg 9%, placebo 7% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 9% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 8%, 9 mg 9%, 17.2 mg 9%, placebo 7% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 9% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 8%, 9 mg 9%, 17.2 mg 9%, placebo 7% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” | 9% cumulative (Foundayo FDA label Section 6.1 (DailyMed)). Verbatim: “Headache: FOUNDAYO 5.5 mg 8%, 9 mg 9%, 17.2 mg 9%, placebo 7% [pooled Trials 1 and 2, Section 6.1 adverse reactions ≥5% incidence]” |
Less common but clinically important
None of these appear above, because none of them follow a predictable week-by-week shape. Every GLP-1 label names them anyway. If any of them happens to you, raise it with your prescriber.
- Acute pancreatitis — bad abdominal pain that stays, sometimes radiating around to the back, with or without vomiting. Where it is suspected, the label says to stop the drug. Restarting is a specialist’s decision, not yours.
- Gallbladder disease (cholelithiasis, cholecystitis) — pain under the ribs on the right, occasionally with a fever or yellowing. Losing weight fast raises the odds, and it may need a surgeon’s opinion.
- Acute kidney injury — reported mostly where vomiting has been severe and gone on, and the patient has dried out. Through a bad GI stretch, fluids and kidney monitoring are the answer.
- Hypoglycemia — the risk rises sharply alongside insulin or a sulfonylurea, and those may need their own doses brought down.
- Mood, and thoughts of suicide — the labels carry a Warnings and Precautions section telling clinicians to watch for it. Anyone with depression behind them warrants closer watching than that.
- Boxed warning: Thyroid C-cell tumors (MTC, MEN-2) — every GLP-1 approved for weight management carries it. MTC or MEN-2 in you or in your family rules the drug out.
Frequently asked questions
Does the nausea actually go away?
For most people it does. Four trials — ATTAIN-1, SCALE, SURMOUNT-1 and STEP-1 — put the nausea in the same places: the opening 4 to 8 weeks, and again on each step up in dose. Once the maintenance dose is reached it falls away sharply. Between 6 and 7% of participants left their trial over adverse events; everyone else stayed on the maintenance dose. Where nausea does come, climbing more slowly helps most of the people it comes to.
Is it worth going up more slowly?
Every pivotal trial ran a fixed schedule, stepping up every 4 to 8 weeks. The tolerability literature from outside the trials points the other way: stretch the steps and both the peak nausea and the number of people who quit come down, most of all in those who struggle with the early doses. Holding a dose longer is something your prescriber can do — the labels allow for it.
Will the hair grow back?
Almost always, yes. What gets reported on a GLP-1 is usually telogen effluvium, a shedding phase set off by losing weight quickly rather than by the drug. It reverses once the weight settles.
Why do Mounjaro and Ozempic show bands rather than weekly figures?
Because both are approved for type 2 diabetes, and the trials behind them — SURPASS and SUSTAIN — enrolled people who are not the people reading this. The literature supports the broad shape of the curve, but it does not carry over cleanly to a weight-loss population, so those cells are marked as bands. Inventing weekly point estimates for them would look more precise and be less true.
What if what I have is not on here?
The timeline covers the seven adverse events reported most often across the pivotal trials, which leaves plenty out. The rarer but serious ones — pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney injury, the monitoring around suicidality, the boxed warning — are set out below in the labels' own words. Anything severe, or anything that persists, is a phone call regardless of whether it appears here.
Where does each number come from?
Click any cell and it opens the source itself, quoted word for word — Section 6.1 of the label on DailyMed, the trial publication, or a peer-reviewed tolerability paper — along with its PMID or DailyMed SetID, and the date it was last checked here. Nothing here is paraphrased. Every figure traces back to a primary anchor you can open yourself.
How current is this?
It is reviewed quarterly, and the build refuses to ship if any cell was last verified more than 365 days ago. Trial supplements and label revisions go in as they appear.
Is any of this medical advice?
No. These are patterns across populations, drawn from trials and labels, and not a forecast for any single person. How fast your dose climbs, whether you have taken a GLP-1 before, your own sensitivity and whatever else you take all move it. Severe or persistent symptoms mean calling your prescriber.
Related on GLP Watchdog
References
- 1.Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP-1). New England Journal of Medicine. 2021. PMID: 33567185.
- 2.Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, et al. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance (STEP-4). JAMA. 2021. PMID: 33755728.
- 3.Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-1). New England Journal of Medicine. 2022. PMID: 35658024.
- 4.Aronne LJ, Horn DB, le Roux CW, et al. Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-5). New England Journal of Medicine. 2025. PMID: 40353578.
- 5.Pi-Sunyer X, Astrup A, Fujioka K, et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management (SCALE). New England Journal of Medicine. 2015. PMID: 26132939.
- 6.Wharton S, Aronne LJ, Stefanski A, et al. (ATTAIN-1 Trial Investigators) Orforglipron, an Oral Small-Molecule GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for Obesity Treatment. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025. PMID: 40960239.
- 7.Novo Nordisk Inc. WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection — US Prescribing Information. Section 6.1 Adverse Reactions. FDA / DailyMed. 2026. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b
- 8.Eli Lilly and Company. ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide) injection — US Prescribing Information. Section 6.1 Adverse Reactions. FDA / DailyMed. 2026. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=487cd7e7-2a99-4bf4-87a8-cd5b9f9a52f1
- 9.Novo Nordisk Inc. SAXENDA (liraglutide) injection — US Prescribing Information. Section 6.1 Adverse Reactions. FDA / DailyMed. 2026. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3946d389-0926-4f77-a708-0acb8153b143
- 10.Eli Lilly and Company. MOUNJARO (tirzepatide) injection — US Prescribing Information. Section 6.1 Adverse Reactions. FDA / DailyMed. 2026. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d2d7da5d-ad07-4228-955f-cf7e355c8cc0
- 11.Novo Nordisk Inc. OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection — US Prescribing Information. Section 6.1 Adverse Reactions. FDA / DailyMed. 2026. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=adec4fd2-6858-4c99-91d4-531f5f2a2d79
- 12.Eli Lilly and Company. FOUNDAYO (orforglipron) tablets — US Prescribing Information. Section 6.1 Adverse Reactions. FDA / DailyMed. 2026. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8ac446c5-feba-474f-a103-23facb9b5c62
Ready to start? GLP-1 providers we have vetted
Telehealth providers, vetted by us, prescribing GLP-1 online.
Vetted by our editors · no insurance required
Some of the links on this page earn us money. If you sign up with a provider after following one, that provider may pay GLP Watchdog a commission. Learn more
9.4
Trimi Health
Knowing which pharmacy fills the vial: it names VialsRx
From $99/mo
Get started →6.4
ShedRx
Oral orforglipron alongside the injectables
From $149/mo
Get started →9.0
bmiMD
Starting below a standard dose, with microdose tiers
From $99/mo
Get started →