📋 About Your Medication
Bliv offers both compounded GLP-1 medications prepared by licensed compounding pharmacies, and access to branded GLP-1 medications manufactured by Novo Nordisk (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) and Eli Lilly (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®). Your prescription will specify which type you have been prescribed. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved finished drug products, though they are prepared under federal standards by licensed pharmacies. Branded medications are FDA-approved. If you have questions about which medication you are receiving, please check your prescription label or contact your Bliv provider.
What to Expect
GLP-1 medications are powerful and effective, and most patients achieve significant, sustained weight loss over the course of treatment. Like any medication that meaningfully changes how your body processes food and regulates hunger, they can cause side effects — particularly in the first few weeks as your body adjusts. For most patients, early side effects are manageable and resolve on their own.
Common Side Effects
The following are the most frequently reported side effects, especially in the first 2–4 weeks or after a dose increase:
Nausea — the most common early side effect. Usually mild to moderate and temporary.
Vomiting — less common; most often associated with higher doses or rapid escalation.
Diarrhea — loose stools or increased frequency, typically short-lived.
Constipation — slower digestion can reduce bowel frequency. Hydration and fiber help significantly.
Fatigue — temporary tiredness as your body adapts to reduced caloric intake and the medication's metabolic effects.
Heartburn or indigestion — occasional acid reflux caused by delayed gastric emptying.
Reduced appetite — this is the intended therapeutic effect, but the reduction can feel uncomfortable at first.
These effects typically diminish significantly after the first few weeks. If you have increased your dose recently, a temporary return of mild side effects is normal and expected.
How to Manage Side Effects
Diet and eating habits
Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Large meals are the single biggest driver of nausea on GLP-1 therapy. Smaller portions spread across the day make a substantial difference.
Stay well hydrated. Adequate water intake helps with constipation, digestion, and general tolerance of the medication.
Reduce high-fat and spicy foods. These are harder to digest and significantly worsen nausea and heartburn during the adjustment period.
Eat slowly and chew thoroughly. GLP-1 medications slow gastric emptying — eating too quickly overwhelms the digestive process.
Supplements that can help
Ginger supplements or ginger tea — well-established for reducing nausea and soothing the digestive tract.
Vitamin B6 — has demonstrated clinical benefit in reducing nausea.
Magnesium citrate — helps relieve constipation and improve bowel regularity.
Probiotics — support gut microbiome balance, which can ease both diarrhea and constipation.
Fiber supplements (e.g., psyllium husk) — help maintain regularity and prevent constipation.
Always consult your Bliv provider before beginning new supplements, particularly if you are on other medications.
When to Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Room
Most side effects are mild, temporary, and manageable at home. However, certain symptoms require immediate emergency care. Do not wait, do not call support first, and do not attempt to manage the following at home:
Severe or persistent abdominal pain, especially pain radiating to the back — this may indicate pancreatitis, a serious condition requiring emergency evaluation.
Signs of pancreatitis — intense upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting that does not resolve.
Severe allergic reaction — difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, hives, dizziness, or rapid heartbeat following an injection.
Inability to keep fluids down for more than 24 hours combined with severe vomiting.
Chest pain, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations following an injection.
Loss of consciousness or sudden confusion.
Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. After receiving emergency care, notify your Bliv provider through the patient portal at app.joinbliv.com/login so your treatment plan can be reviewed.
When to Book a Nurse Call
If you are experiencing persistent mild-to-moderate side effects that are affecting your daily life but do not require emergency care, a nurse follow-up call is the right next step. Your nurse can review what you are experiencing, advise on management strategies, and coordinate with your provider if a dose adjustment is needed.
Perspective on Side Effects
Experiencing mild to moderate side effects in the first few weeks is common and typically indicates that your body is responding to the medication's metabolic effects — not that something has gone wrong. The vast majority of patients navigate the adjustment period successfully and achieve meaningful, lasting results. Patience, small dietary adjustments, and consistent communication with your care team make the difference.