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Managing potential side effects of GLP-1s
Side effects like nausea and constipation are most common when you start GLP-1 medication, and they usually decrease over time as your body adjusts to the therapy. If your side effects aren't managed by the strategies in this guide, or they don't improve over time, let your Amazon One Medical provider know as the dose of your medication may need to be reduced.
When to expect GLP-1 side effects
Not everyone experiences side effects when taking GLP-1 medication for weight loss, but mild to moderate side effects - especially gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms like nausea - can occur when you first start therapy, or when you start taking a higher dose of medication (called titration).
How long can you expect side effects to last? Research shows that common side effects like nausea typically disappear within 8 days of starting medication. If your side effects last longer or they don't feel tolerable, your provider may recommend a strategy like going back to a lower dose of medication or pausing treatment temporarily.
General guidelines for reducing GLP-1 side effects
The most common GLP-1 side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation) are related to digestion. Here are some general guidelines to help with GI side effects:
Eat smaller meals, more often
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Instead of eating 3 big meals per day, experts recommend eating up to 6 smaller, nutrient-dense meals per day when you're taking GLP-1s. Smaller portions are easier for the stomach to digest.
Be mindful of how you eat
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Eat slowly, savoring your food and avoiding distractions at mealtimes
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Stop eating when you feel full
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Don't go long periods (longer than 3-4 hours) without eating
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Avoid lying down after eating
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Avoid eating too close to bedtime
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Try not to be too active after eating
Be mindful of what you eat
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Choose your foods wisely, maximizing the amount of macro and micronutrients on your smaller plate. Learn more about eating well on GLP-1 medication >
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Bland foods (like rice and bananas) and cold foods can be easier to tolerate than hot and spicy foods
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Consider avoiding greasy, fried, or very fatty foods, or foods with strong smells
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Eat high-fiber foods like oatmeal to speed up digestion
Stay active and hydrated
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Sip water (not through a straw) throughout the day. Experts recommend at least 8 glasses total.
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Look for small ways to stay active. Light activity helps with digestion. Learn more about staying strong while losing weight >
Helpful tips for specific GLP-1 side effects
Nausea
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Try ginger for natural nausea relief: Sip ginger tea or ginger ale, or eat ginger candies
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Sip mint tea
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Eat crackers or ginger/mint-based drinks 30 minutes after taking your medication
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Keep bland food on hand as your body adjusts to slower stomach emptying caused by GLP-1s: plain crackers or toast, rice, bananas, applesauce, or clear broth
Vomiting
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Sip water slowly or suck on ice chips to stay hydrated
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Wait an hour after vomiting before you try to eat again
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Start with bland, easy-to-digest foods (avoid anything strong-smelling or greasy)
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Rest and give your stomach time to settle
Constipation
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Eat foods that are high in fiber (like oatmeal, beans, berries, and whole grains)
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Eat foods that are high in water content (like certain fruits and vegetables)
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Gradually increase intake of prunes or other dried fruits
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Temporarily limit foods high in protein or fat
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Include movement like a light walk into your daily routine
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Consider a supplement like magnesium citrate
Diarrhea
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Drink lots of water to replace lost fluids
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Eat bland foods like rice, bananas, and toast (avoid spicy or greasy foods)
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Temporarily reduce high-fiber foods
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Avoid dairy products, coffee, and alcohol
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Avoid large or high-fat meals
When you should connect with a provider about your side effects
Most GLP-1 side effects are uncomfortable, but not dangerous. However, any of the following symptoms could indicate a medical emergency:
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Diarrhea that lasts more than a few days
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Vomiting that won't stop (can't keep any food or water down for 24 hours)
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Blood in your stool or vomit
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Severe weakness or dizziness
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Severe stomach pain that won't go away
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Pain in your upper right stomach area
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Yellowing of your skin or eyes
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Fever with stomach pain
If you experience any of these symptoms, you need immediate medical attention. Please go to an urgent care clinic or an emergency room (ER) as soon as possible.
For mild to moderate symptoms, reach out to your Amazon One Medical care team to share information like when your side effects happen, what foods make you feel better or worse, and what treatments have helped in the past. Your provider may want to adjust your GLP-1 dose, recommend strategies to help relieve your symptoms, or prescribe a treatment to help.
If it's been 14 days or less since your last weight loss treatment, you can connect with a provider about your side effects through your On-Demand Care message dashboard. If it's been longer than 14 days, you'll need to purchase a new treatment.
Disclaimer: Each person's experience with GLP-1 medications is different. Your nutritional needs may vary based on your individual health, activity level, and how your body responds to treatment. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your healthcare provider. Always consult with your Amazon One Medical clinician or healthcare team to create a nutrition plan that's right for you and to properly manage your treatment.
Related articles
Clinical sources
1. Gorgojo-Martínez, J. J., Mezquita-Raya, P., Carretero-Gómez, J., Castro, A., Cebrián-Cuenca, A., de Torres-Sánchez, A., García-de-Lucas, M. D., Núñez, J., Obaya, J. C., Soler, M. J., Górriz, J. L., & Rubio-Herrera, M. Á. (2022). Clinical Recommendations to Manage Gastrointestinal Adverse Events in Patients Treated with Glp-1 Receptor Agonists: A Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus. Journal of clinical medicine, 12(1), 145.
2. Mozaffarian, D., Agarwal, M., Aggarwal, M., Alexander, L., Apovian, C. M., Bindlish, S., Bonnet, J., Butsch, W. S., Christensen, S., Gianos, E., Gulati, M., Gupta, A., Horn, D., Kane, R. M., Saluja, J., Sannidhi, D., Stanford, F. C., & Callahan, E. A. (2025). Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: A joint Advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 33(8), 1475–1503
