One of the most common questions I get when people find out I am on a GLP-1 is: “Do you have any bad side effects?”
And honestly… “bad” is relative. What I might shrug off could have someone else dramatically Googling their symptoms at 2 a.m. So, it really depends on the person.
What I always say is—if you’re considering it, it’s worth a shot (yes, I will be making that joke every single time). The good news? You can always stop if it’s not for you. I’ve been on it just under two years, and most people I know have had pretty similar experiences.
Let’s get into it. Here are the main side effects I’ve dealt with—and how I handle them:
1. Nausea
Ah yes, my old friend. This was one of the first symptoms I noticed, usually hitting a day or two after my shot. My doctor prescribed Zofran, which has been a lifesaver in those early days.
Fun twist: hunger now shows up as nausea instead of a growling stomach. Love that for me. I think it’s because before GLP-1, hunger was basically running the show 24/7. Now I actually have control… sometimes too much control, and I forget to eat.
Once I do eat, the nausea usually goes away. And yes—the word everyone is tired of hearing: protein. It matters. High-protein meals help a ton.
2. Bathroom Habits (we’re going there)
This can go one of two ways… and neither is glamorous. For me, things slowed down—like, way down.
I added fiber and a daily stool softener, and things went back to normal (or at least a new version of normal). Over time, I needed the stool softener less. Pro tip: if you increase your dose, you might want to bring it back temporarily.
3. Random “Sunburn” Sensation
When I got to higher doses, I occasionally felt this weird sunburn-like sensation on my arms or legs. No redness, no actual sunburn—just vibes.
It’s more annoying than anything and usually goes away after a week or two. Bonus: my mom and stepdad (also on GLP-1s) have had the same thing, so at least we’re all in this weird club together.
4. Overeating (yes, it still happens)
You will have off days. You will overeat. And sometimes… you will regret it immediately.
I’ve definitely gotten sick from pushing it too far (usually involving sugar—shocking, I know). But honestly, it acts as a reset. A not-so-gentle reminder that my body is not here for my nonsense anymore.
5. Hair Loss
This is a big one people talk about. I’ve been lucky and haven’t dealt with it much, but I know a lot of people who have.
Two things I recommend:
- Cut back on coloring your hair if you can (your hair deserves a break)
- Add collagen to your diet—bonus, it’s also a protein source. See? Protein again. I warned you.
6. Muscle Loss
If you’re losing a significant amount of weight, some muscle loss is going to happen. That’s just reality.
But this is where I get a little bossy: get in the gym. For me, this is non-negotiable. If you’re on this medication, you need to be doing some form of strength training.
Also worth asking your doctor about supplements like D3 and K2.
7. Loose Skin
And look who it is again… the gym.
Do I have loose skin after losing nearly 100 pounds? Yes. But because I’m in the gym 3–5 days a week, it’s very minimal. I truly believe that staying active makes a huge difference here.
At the end of the day, you have to decide what you’re willing to deal with in order to lose weight. For me, everything listed above has been 100% worth it.
As always, talk to your doctor before starting anything new. And if you have questions, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to share (probably more than you asked for, honestly).