Diarrhea / Loose Stool
Users on Reddit report varied experiences with diarrhea or loose stools while taking GLP-1 medications, with some experiencing it as a side effect and others, particularly those with IBS-D, finding relief from pre-existing diarrhea.
Experiences with Diarrhea / Loose Stool:
A user on Saxenda described a severe experience: "Had the worst bloated tummy I’ve ever had while throwing up and having diarrhea. "[6]
Another user on Ozempic mentioned experiencing "Either constatation or extremely loose stools. "[7]
Some users with pre-existing conditions like IBS-D (Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea) have found that GLP-1s can help. One user stated, "Constipation is often a side effect of GLP-1 so it can help with IBS-D by resolving diarrhea and leading to more regular bowel movements. "[1] Another user with IBS-D who also struggled with chronic diarrhea found the constipating effect of Ozempic to be a benefit, stating, "I can sometimes use a lower dose of the medication (colesevelam) that helps with the trots, as a result. "[5]
A user on Metformin (often discussed alongside GLP-1s for PCOS and diabetes) reported, "Metformin gave me the worst diarrhoea I’ve ever had in my life... I have had zero side effects with GLP1s and my quality of life has increased dramatically. "[11]
One user on Saxenda experienced "super painful explosive diarrhea. " [16]
A user on Zepbound who also has POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) mentioned experiencing diarrhea and vomiting when they increased their dose too quickly and got dehydrated. [17]
A user taking Metformin reported it "does give you bad diarrhea if you eat too many carbs or just in general sometimes though. "[18]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
Hydration:
Drinking plenty of water is frequently recommended. One user stated, "It really seems to me that a huge percentage of side effects people experience with these meds could be headed off by simply increasing fluid intake aggressively. "[10] Another mentioned, "when I drink a ton of water (around 135 ounces), I don’t have a lot of side effects. "[12]
Supplements/Medications:
Probiotics: "Daily probiotic supplements have helped tremendously with my sulfur-gas and bowel issues. I highly recommend this for anyone on one of these drugs. "[8]
Guar Gum: A user with IBS-M experiencing both constipation and loose stools mentioned, "looking into getting some guar gum supplement as that is supposed to be good for both diarrhea and constipation! Sunfiber seems to be a decent brand. "[6]
Pepto-Bismol: For sulfur burps that led to vomiting and to remedy bathroom problems, one user found Pepto-Bismol cherry chewables to be a "godsend. " [3]
It's important to note that while some experience diarrhea, constipation is a more commonly reported side effect of GLP-1 medications.
Experiences with Diarrhea / Loose Stool:
- Some users experience diarrhea as a side effect.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Dietary Adjustments:
- Avoiding certain foods: One user noted that side effects like diarrhea can be worse with "fried fatty greasy foods.
It's important to note that while some experience diarrhea, constipation is a more commonly reported side effect of GLP-1 medications.