Medical Weight Loss · Side effects
Side effects are a reason to talk to your clinician — not a reason to quit.
When something doesn't feel right, the plan should change.
- Common GLP-1 side effects, explained plainly
- What's worth calling your clinician about
- What your clinician can actually adjust
What people commonly experience
Most side effects people describe with GLP-1 medications are digestive, and they're often most noticeable early on or after a change to the plan. Everyone is different — some people notice very little, and some need the plan adjusted.
- Nausea, especially in the first days after a dose or after a dose change
- Reduced appetite and feeling full sooner than you expect
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Heartburn, burping, or general stomach upset
- Fatigue or feeling low on energy
- Soreness or irritation at the injection site
This page is general education, not medical advice about your situation. Your clinician's guidance and the instructions that come with your prescription always come first.
When something doesn't feel right, the plan should change.
When to contact your clinician
- Vomiting or diarrhea that keeps you from drinking fluids, or signs of dehydration
- Severe or persistent stomach pain, particularly pain that radiates to your back
- Symptoms that are getting worse instead of settling down
- You're thinking about stopping the medication for any reason
- Any new symptom that worries you, even if it isn't on this list
Seek emergency care instead of messaging us
Virtual care is not the right setting for an emergency. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for:
- • Trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or a spreading rash
- • Chest pain, fainting, or a sudden severe headache
- • Relentless vomiting with severe abdominal pain
What your provider can actually change
"Tough it out" isn't a plan. A side effect is information, and your clinician has real levers to pull.
The pace of the plan
How quickly a plan moves forward is a clinical decision. If side effects are hard on you, your clinician can slow things down rather than pushing ahead on a fixed schedule.
The medication itself
Options can include semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic), tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro), and orforglipron (Foundayo). If one isn't sitting well with you, your provider can reconsider the whole approach, including changing the medication when clinically appropriate — medication is only part of the plan.
The everyday details
Timing, meal patterns, hydration, and how you manage nausea or constipation are often what make the difference. These are worth a real conversation, not a search result.
Why the same clinician makes this easier
- The clinician you talk to about a side effect is the clinician who wrote the plan, so you're not re-explaining your history to a stranger.
- Because you pay per visit, a check-in about side effects is a normal visit — not something you're rationing out of a subscription.
- A $39 follow-up digital visit is often enough to sort out a side-effect question without getting on video.
- After your visit, your provider will recommend an appropriate follow-up schedule so the plan can keep adjusting as you go.
You'll see licensed and nationally certified Utah clinicians, and availability varies based on clinician schedules, with available times displayed before booking.
What a check-in costs
You pay per visit, with no subscription and no membership fee. Medication is billed separately by the pharmacy you choose.
Medication cost varies depending on the medication prescribed, the pharmacy selected, manufacturer programs, and availability.
HSA/FSA eligible for qualified expenses. Please confirm eligibility with your plan administrator.
Having a hard time? Book a follow-up.
Bring your side-effect questions to a clinician you choose and keep. Creating an account is free.
Ready to take the first step?
Weight loss is hard enough. Getting help shouldn't be.
Create your free Shift profile today and start building a plan with someone who's there to support you — not just prescribe.
Free profile • Initial video visit $99 • Follow-up video $79 • Follow-up digital $39 • No subscriptions • No membership fees