When GLP-1 side effects happen, and how often people stop

Mostly while the dose is going up

Both medicines start low and step up. The Wegovy label says gastrointestinal reactions "were most frequently reported during dosage escalation". The Zepbound label: the majority of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea "occurred during dose escalation and decreased over time", and most people who stopped because of side effects did so "during the first few months of treatment".

How many people stopped

In Wegovy's weight-loss trials, 4.3% stopped because of a stomach side effect (0.7% on placebo). In Zepbound's, it was 1.9%, 3.3% and 4.3% on the 5, 10 and 15 mg doses (0.5% on placebo).

Overall, 73% of people on Wegovy reported some stomach side effect (47% on placebo); on Zepbound it was 56% at each dose (30% on placebo).

When the label says to call

Both labels tell people to contact their healthcare provider if stomach problems are severe or won't go away. Wegovy's Medication Guide adds: "It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not go away." Persistent or severe abdominal pain, sometimes reaching through to the back, is listed as a possible sign of pancreatitis.

Keeping a record across a dose change

A short Journal note on the days after each step up shows whether things settle, which is exactly what the labels describe. In PepMe, edit the dose on the compound when it changes, and your history stays attached, so you can see each step next to how you felt.