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Does tirzepatide cause constipation?

Yes. Mounjaro and Zepbound both list constipation in their prescribing information. The reported rates differ by product and study group; one tirzepatide summary does not describe both brands.

What the product trials found

These are separate trials, so their rates cannot rank the medicines.

Mounjaro

The two placebo-controlled diabetes trials in adults

Mounjaro: Constipation. Percent of people who reported it, by trial arm.
Dose / groupRate
Placebo235 people1%
5 mg237 people6%
10 mg240 people6%
15 mg241 people7%
Study group and source

718 adults with type 2 diabetes took Mounjaro across SURPASS-1 and SURPASS-5. The average age was 58 and people had had diabetes for about 9 years.

An average of 36.6 weeks on the drug

Everything reported by 5 in 100 people or more, and more often than on placebo. Low blood sugar is counted separately.

Read the product label
All Mounjaro side effects

Zepbound

The two placebo-controlled weight trials, dose by dose

Zepbound: Constipation. Percent of people who reported it, by trial arm.
Dose / groupRate
Placebo958 people5%
5 mg630 people17%
10 mg948 people14%
15 mg941 people11%

Groups constipation and hard stools

Study group and source

2,519 adults with obesity or overweight took Zepbound across two trials. The average age was 47 and the average BMI 37.4. A quarter also had type 2 diabetes.

Up to 72 weeks, then 4 weeks off the drug

Everything reported by 2 in 100 people or more, and more often than on placebo

Read the product label
All Zepbound side effects

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Montecillo, MD · non-practicing medical reviewer

Information checked 2026-09-07

How these findings apply

The figures below count people who reported a reaction during a study. They do not predict how long your symptoms will last. For dose-specific results, open the guide for your product.

Zepbound and Mounjaro both contain tirzepatide. Their labels report different study groups and reaction rates. The tirzepatide summary below cites Zepbound, so its frequency band should not be read as a Mounjaro result.

Compound summary coverage

Compounds that list it

8 of 42

Only in a combined category

2

No reaction list in this guide

16

Best available source

FDA label

Which compound summaries list constipation

Each row shows what a compound summary records about constipation. A broad frequency band may hide differences between doses. A missing entry does not mean the full label omits constipation.

◆ Constipation across 42 compoundsguide or source for every row
Every compound covered on this site, showing whether it lists constipation and at what frequency its own cited source states.
CompoundHow it appearsFrequency reportedSource type
TirzepatideZepbound, MounjaroConstipationVery common (≥10%)FDA labelRead source
SemaglutideWegovy, Ozempic, RybelsusConstipationVery common (≥10%)FDA labelRead source
LiraglutideVictoza, SaxendaConstipationReported in Saxenda trials (≥5%)FDA labelRead source
RetatrutideConstipationReported in trialsHuman trialRead source
CagrilintideStomach and gut events overall (nausea, constipation, diarrhea)counted inside a grouped figure, not on its ownReported in 41–63% across trial doses (vs 32% placebo)Human trialRead source
SurvodutideStomach and gut events overall (nausea, vomiting, constipation)counted inside a grouped figure, not on its ownReported in 75% of survodutide recipients (vs 42% placebo)Human trialRead source
BPC-157No reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
TesamorelinEgrifta SV, Egrifta WRNot listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—FDA label
PT-141VyleesiNot listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—FDA label
CJC-1295Not listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—limited human data
IpamorelinNot listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—Human trial
TB-500No reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
GHK-CuNo reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
SermorelinNot listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—limited human data
MOTS-cNo reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
AOD-9604Not listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—limited human data
NAD+Not listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—limited human data
EpitalonNo reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
Kisspeptin-10No reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
DSIPNot listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—limited human data
HexarelinNot listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—limited human data
IGF-1 LR3No reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
PEG-MGFNo reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
LL-37Not listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—limited human data
KPVNo reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
Thymosin alpha-1Not listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—limited human data
SS-31ForzinityNot listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—FDA label
SemaxNot listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—limited human data
SelankNo reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
Melanotan IINot listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—limited human data
MazdutideNot listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—Human trial
PinealonNot listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—limited human data
AHK-CuNo reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
VK2735ConstipationTreatment-related event in 37 of 175 participants in the phase 2 safety populationHuman trialRead source
ZenagamtideNot listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—Human trial
PemvidutideConstipationIn RECLAIM, the sponsor reported 26% with pemvidutide versus 6% with placeboHuman trialRead source
BrenipatideNo reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
EloralintideNot listed in this summaryThis short reaction list does not include the symptom. Check the full product label or study for more detail.—Human trial
EnicepatideNo reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
MacupatideNo reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
MariTideNo reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work
PetrelintideNo reaction list in this guideThis guide has no reaction entries. That does not establish that no human safety evidence exists.—no human dose shown to work

These tables summarize selected reaction entries. A missing entry does not mean the full label or all published studies omit it. A summary does not replace the full prescribing information. A pharmacist or clinician can review the complete label alongside the rest of a person’s medicines.

What people reported to the FDA

The first table summarizes labels and published trials. This table shows reports filed with the FDA after the medicines went on sale. Each percentage is the share of reports for that product that mention this symptom—not the share of patients who experienced it.

Each GLP-1 brand in the FDA snapshot, and what share of its reports names this symptom.
ProductShare of its own reportsAll reports
Ozempicsemaglutide6.7% of Ozempic reports66,161 reports
Rybelsussemaglutide5.7% of Rybelsus reports7,379 reports
Wegovysemaglutide4.8% of Wegovy reports21,044 reports
Zepboundtirzepatide4.3% of Zepbound reports70,141 reports
Saxendaliraglutide3.9% of Saxenda reports10,040 reports
Mounjarotirzepatide3.9% of Mounjaro reports93,975 reports
Victozaliraglutide3.0% of Victoza reports44,086 reports
Trulicitydulaglutide2.7% of Trulicity reports88,332 reports

A row reading “below” is not a zero. The snapshot keeps each product’s 25 most-reported terms, so a term missing from that list was either never reported or reported outside the stored list. The cutoff provides an upper bound, not an exact count. Read from FDA on 2026-08-17.

Reports are not rates and a report is not proof the drug did it. How to read this data, and the questions it answers on its own.

3Read deeperWhy it happens, when it appears, and what the evidence shows

Why bowel changes can happen

Tirzepatide slows how fast the stomach empties. Its labels also list constipation, but that does not identify the cause of one person’s symptoms. Other medicines, food intake and health conditions may matter too.

The stomach and the bowel are different parts of digestion. Slower stomach emptying alone is not a complete explanation of constipation.

Appetite changes are a separate finding

Decreased appetite is also listed for Tirzepatide (common (1–10%)), Liraglutide (reported in Victoza trials (≥5%)), Retatrutide (reported in trials) and Cagrilintide (reported in trials). Each result links to its original source.

Some summaries also list reduced appetite. A reaction list does not establish whether eating less caused someone’s constipation. Both changes can be useful to describe at an appointment.

How long does constipation last?

The frequency tables used here count reactions, not the length of each episode. They cannot give you a day when constipation should stop.

The product labels describe gradual dose increases to reduce stomach and gut reactions. That schedule is not a promise that constipation will settle before the next step. Report symptoms that persist or worsen to your prescriber.

What the evidence shows

Read each finding with the limits of the source that measured it.

What the evidence shows
The claimWhat the evidence shows
Constipation is a recognized side effect.Both tirzepatide product labels list it. The product guides retain their separate study and dose context.
A higher dose always causes more constipation.The label tables separate doses, but their constipation rates do not rise at every step. A broad band cannot show that pattern.
A study rate predicts my own experience.It describes a group under study conditions. Your other medicines, health and treatment course may differ.
Constipation means the treatment is working.A side-effect count does not measure treatment benefit. The symptom alone is not a reason to judge progress.

When abdominal symptoms need medical attention

Severe or lasting belly pain, or vomiting that does not stop, needs prompt medical attention. Do not assume these symptoms are routine constipation.

Acute pancreatitis

Urgent

Signs: Severe pain high in the abdomen that will not let up and may bore through to the back, often with nausea or vomiting that does not settle. People describe it as different from ordinary post-dose nausea, in that it does not come and go with meals.

The prescribing information lists this as a reaction that needs medical assessment. Call a clinician without waiting for the next appointment, or emergency services if the pain is severe.

Gallbladder disease

Prompt

Signs: Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, sometimes after eating, with fever, yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, unusually pale stools, or dark urine.

These are signs to get seen promptly rather than wait and watch.

These warnings can help you recognize a concern. A clinician can assess your symptoms alongside your health history and other medicines.

EmergencySome symptoms should not wait for an appointment. Call emergency services (911 in the US) if they are severe, getting worse fast, or involve trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting or confusion.

Common questions

Is constipation listed on the tirzepatide label?

Yes. Both Mounjaro and Zepbound list constipation. Their separate product guides show the relevant label findings.

Is Mounjaro constipation different from Zepbound constipation?

Both contain tirzepatide, but their label tables describe different study groups and doses. Their reaction rates should not be exchanged.

How long does constipation on tirzepatide last?

The frequency tables on this page do not measure how many days each episode lasted. They cannot promise a recovery date.

Tell your prescriber if symptoms persist or worsen, especially before a planned dose increase.

Does constipation get worse at higher tirzepatide doses?

The product labels report constipation by dose. The rates do not increase at every higher dose, so “higher always means worse” is not what those tables show.

Do other GLP-1 compounds cause constipation too?

Yes. Other GLP-1 summaries also report constipation. Some studies count it within a group of stomach and gut reactions; that group total is not a constipation rate.

What helps with constipation on these compounds?

This comparison does not test remedies. A clinician or pharmacist can review options alongside your symptoms and other medicines.

Describe when it began, any recent dose change and whether pain or vomiting is present. Over-the-counter products can have their own risks and interactions.

When does constipation stop being routine?

Severe or lasting belly pain and vomiting that will not stop need medical attention. The warnings above explain why those symptoms should not simply be waited out.

Does the frequency band mean my chance of getting it?

It describes how often a study group reported the reaction. It is useful context, but it is not a personal forecast.

Want the full picture for one compound? Open its guide for uses, dosage information, side effects and serious warnings.

The full tirzepatide profile behind its constipation entry

Frequencies as the tirzepatide source states them, read directly rather than via constipation.

Every semaglutide reaction, not only constipation

9 common and 6 serious semaglutide reactions, in full past constipation.

Fatigue read the same way as constipation

6 of 42 pages carry fatigue, counted class-wide rather than within constipation.

Nausea read the same way as constipation

13 of 42 pages carry nausea, counted class-wide rather than within constipation.

Explore compound guides related to constipation

Find individual compound guides to help you understand constipation.

What else VK2735 lists besides constipation

No boxed warning applies to VK2735, on the VK2735 page rather than on constipation.

Every liraglutide reaction, not only constipation

6 common and 4 serious liraglutide reactions, in full past constipation.

Every pemvidutide reaction, not only constipation

5 common and 0 serious pemvidutide reactions, in full past constipation.

The constipation question, asked about duration

A frequency band counts people rather than days, which is why it cannot answer this, with constipation as context

Every symptom in this section is listed on the symptom questions index.

Questions readers ask

How to stop constipation on tirzepatide?

The cited labels do not compare constipation remedies. They record constipation during treatment with Mounjaro and Zepbound.

The right next step depends on severity, duration and other symptoms. A pharmacist or prescriber can assess a remedy alongside the rest of your medicines. Severe or persistent symptoms need assessment, rather than waiting for the next dose.

Can tirzepatide cause fecal impaction?

Mounjaro and Zepbound list severe constipation, including fecal impaction, in their postmarketing reports.

These voluntary reports do not establish how often it occurs or prove the cause in each case. This is distinct from the constipation rates in their trial tables. Severe or persistent stomach problems need medical assessment.

How do you get rid of constipation on GLP-1?

These sources do not test which constipation remedy works best during GLP-1 treatment.

Constipation is listed for the products discussed here, but their rates come from different trials. A symptom’s frequency does not determine which treatment suits someone. The care section separates routine questions from symptoms that need prompt attention.

Can I take MiraLAX while on tirzepatide?

Whether MiraLAX suits you depends on your symptoms and other medicines. The side-effect findings alone do not settle that question.

A pharmacist or prescriber can review the product, other medicines and the constipation symptoms. An interaction missing from this page is not evidence that a combination is safe.

11primary sources, each with the day we read it — open the documents used on this page