Side Effects & How to Remedy Them

Nobody likes feeling or being sick, but unfortunately, new medicines can sometimes cause nausea. Here is what to try:

Home Remedies

1. Ginger: Many people use ginger tea, ginger cordials, or ginger beer to ease their nausea. Available at most supermarkets.
2. Portion control: If you feel sick after eating, you may be eating too much. Try smaller meals and eat only as frequently as the medication allows.
3. Avoid long fasting periods: Long fasts can cause rebound hunger. Aim for 3-5 small meals spread throughout your day.
4. Reduce caffeine: Cut back on coffee, energy drinks, and chocolate.
5. Eat earlier: Don't eat too close to bedtime — food sits in your stomach longer on GLP-1s.
6. Rest after eating: Avoid strenuous activity right after a meal. Give your body time to digest.
7. Over-the-counter: Pepto Bismol or Buccastem can help if home remedies aren't enough.

If you need further treatment, your prescriber will make sure you receive something safe.

Acid reflux and heartburn are felt in the chest or the back of the throat as a burning sensation. These are common when first starting GLP-1s because of the gastric slowdown.

Home Remedies

1. Apple Cider Vinegar (quick relief): 1-2 tablespoons of ACV mixed with ¼ cup of water decreases stomach acidity. Gummy versions also work.
2. Eat a ripe banana.
3. Chew sugar-free gum.
4. Keep a food journal: Avoid trigger foods (spicy, fried, fatty), caffeine, and chocolate.
5. Don't overeat: Smaller portions or grazing throughout the day reduces the amount of food your stomach needs to process.
6. Avoid late meals and snacking before bed.
7. Adjust sleep position: Sleep slightly reclined rather than flat. This helps keep stomach acid from flowing into the esophagus.
8. Epsom salt or lavender bath for relaxation.

Over-the-Counter Options

Zantac 360 is a long-acting H2 blocker — take 2-3 days before injection so it fully coats the stomach.

For breakthrough heartburn, Tums and Pepto Bismol provide fast-acting relief.

Because GLP-1s slow down digestion, food stays in your gut longer and your body absorbs more water from your stool. This can make stool hard, dry, and difficult to pass.

What to Try

1. Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes: We have these supplements available — take them daily for best results.
2. Eat more insoluble fiber: Found in almost all fruits and vegetables.
3. Increase water intake: This softens stools and makes them easier to pass.
4. Movement: Exercise encourages the movement of contents through your GI tract.
5. Laxatives: Senna, Docusate Sodium, or any over-the-counter option.
6. Caffeine: If it doesn't trigger other indigestion for you, it can help get things moving.
7. Psyllium Husk Powder: Available at drug stores or on Amazon — very helpful when taken regularly.

Some patients experience diarrhea on the day of injection, which we understand can be inconvenient.

What to Try

1. Over-the-counter anti-diarrheals: Imodium helps decrease symptoms.
2. Bland or binding foods: Bananas, white rice, toast, oats.

When starting a new medication, sleep habits can shift. You may feel more fatigued or have a harder time falling asleep.

If You Feel Fatigued

1. Exercise: Physical activity resets your parasympathetic nervous system (the "rest and digest" system), which may be in overdrive.
2. Hydration: Increase water intake. Avoid carbonated and fizzy drinks.
3. Eat a snack: Fatigue can come from calorie deficit. Try a small, high-calorie snack.
4. Vitamin D: Add a supplement or get sunlight exposure.

If You Have Trouble Sleeping

1. Melatonin: An over-the-counter sleep aid.
2. Avoid caffeine and alcohol: Cut back on coffee, energy drinks, alcohol, and chocolate.
3. Bedtime routine: Turn off screens (no TV or phones), read a book, take a relaxing bath, use lavender.
4. White noise or a fan: Helps block outside distractions.

We all experience stress — but it is important to manage it with healthy habits. Stress releases cortisol, which can block weight loss.

If you are experiencing a plateau or minimal weight loss, it is time to look at your hormones and the stress in your life. Any big life change (a move, divorce, having a child, menopause) can be a major weight loss blocker. Even smaller changes can have a huge impact.

These are things outside our control, so take an honest look at what is going on — we will help you manage your way through it.