GLP-1 medications work by slowing digestion and reducing appetite — which is exactly why they're effective, and also why they come with side effects. Most are the digestive and energy-related kind, most ease as your body adjusts, and most are far more manageable when you know what to do. Here's an honest guide to what to expect and what genuinely helps.
None of the below is medical advice — always raise side effects with the clinician who prescribed your medication, especially if anything is severe or persistent.
Nausea and early fullness
The most common one, especially in the first weeks and after a dose increase. The practical fixes are mostly behavioural: eat smaller portions more often, slow down and stop at the first sign of fullness, go easy on greasy and very rich foods, and keep sipping water through the day. Many people find ginger and cool, bland foods easier to tolerate. The goal isn't to force big meals — it's to still get quality nutrition into the smaller amount you're eating.
Constipation
Slower digestion often means things back up. The classics genuinely work here: more fibre, more water, and daily movement. Many people also find magnesium helpful for regularity — Magnesium Glycinate is a gentle, well-absorbed form that's easy on the stomach.
Fatigue and low energy
When you're suddenly eating a fraction of what you used to, it's easy to fall short on the nutrients that drive energy — and to become mildly dehydrated. The fixes: prioritise protein, stay on top of fluids and electrolytes, and cover the vitamins and minerals your smaller diet may be missing. Omega-3s support overall wellbeing during this period too; our Omega-3 is dosed to clinically studied EPA and DHA levels.
Hair thinning
Some people notice more shedding a few months in. This is usually telogen effluvium — a temporary reaction to rapid weight loss and lower nutrient intake, not a direct drug effect, and it typically settles as your weight stabilises. The best support is simply not under-eating protein and covering nutritional gaps, so your body isn't rationing resources.
Muscle loss
Less talked about, but important: a meaningful share of the weight lost on a GLP-1 can be muscle if you're not protecting it. Enough protein plus a couple of resistance sessions a week keeps most of it — we cover exactly how in our guide to protecting muscle on a GLP-1.
The common thread
Almost every side effect above traces back to the same root: you're eating much less, so it's easy to fall short on protein, fluids, electrolytes and micronutrients — and that shows up as low energy, poor regularity, more shedding and lost muscle. Covering those gaps is the single most useful thing you can do to feel like yourself through the changes.
That's the thinking behind our Side-Effect Relief Bundle — a set of supplements chosen to cover the nutrient gaps and support everyday comfort and energy while your appetite is smaller. Every ingredient is dosed to the range used in research and third-party tested each batch.
This article is for general education and isn't medical advice. Supplements support your nutrition and wellbeing — they don't diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medication side effect. Speak to your healthcare provider about anything you're experiencing on a prescription medication.