In the diabetes TRIUMPH-2 trial, reported side effects included: Diarrhea (around 27 to 34 percent of participants, depending on the dose) Nausea (14 to 28 percent) Constipation (14 to 17 percent) Decreased appetite (6 to 17 percent) Vomiting (6 to 16 percent) In the TRIUMPH-3 trial for adults with severe obesity and heart disease, participants reported: Diarrhea (around 24 to 30 percent of participants, depending on the dose) Nausea (22 percent) Constipation (16 to 18 percent) Decreased appetite (14 to 15 percent) Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar (3 to 4 percent) The high rates of diarrhea surprised Ali
Sulfur burps typically appear within the first few weeks of starting the medication or increasing the dose and usually resolve within 6-8 weeks
If tolerated, increase to 7 mg daily
Clinical trials and meta-analyses have shown that these drugs significantly improve glycemic control, reduce blood pressure, and positively impact lipid profiles, even in patients without diabetes
Patients do report fewer side effects with tirzepatide, though this is variable, and I have had patients with no side effects on both medications, says Mir Ali, MD, board-certified general surgeon, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California
The syringe goes directly from your hand into the sharps container without recapping