Key Takeaways

• Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in branded medications Mounjaro (FDA-approved for the management of type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (FDA-approved for weight loss management). 
• Tirzepatide commonly causes side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). 
• Headaches are not directly listed as a side effect of tirzepatide, but they may occur indirectly. This is because tirzepatide can cause side effects such as dehydration and hypoglycemia, both of which are known to trigger headaches.
• Tirzepatide users can consider drinking more water or modifying their diet and eating habits to prevent and treat headaches. 

Does Zepbound (Tirzepatide) Cause Headaches?

Zepbound, or tirzepatide, users report side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, injection site reactions, and fatigue. Still, headaches aren't listed as a common side effect on the medication’s packaging. However, many tirzepatide users have taken to websites such as Reddit to report headaches within the first 1 to 2 days of their injections. 

So, what does this mean? Does tirzepatide cause headaches? Headaches appear to be a symptom of other side effects which directly result from tirzepatide use. This means that side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite include symptoms such as headaches because they first cause dehydration or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). In other words, headaches are not caused by tirzepatide, but by dehydration and hypoglycemia, which result from tirzepatide use. 

Why does Zepbound (tirzepatide) cause headaches?

Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in the branded medication, Zepbound. Tirzepatide was originally approved by the FDA for the management of type 2 diabetes (under the brand name Mounjaro), and it recently received FDA approval for weight loss (under the brand name Zepbound). 

If you’re experiencing a “tirzepatide headache,” some possible contributing factors include low blood sugar and dehydration. To treat or prevent headaches while using tirzepatide, you must manage the underlying causes. 

As discussed above, tirzepatide may not be the primary cause of headaches; instead, other processes, such as dehydration or hypoglycemia, are the likely cause. Vomiting and diarrhea are two common side effects of tirzepatide, both of which contribute to dehydration. Common symptoms of dehydration include: 

• Headaches
• Lightheadedness
• Low blood pressure
• Tachycardia (heart rate above 100 beats per minute). 

Since tirzepatide is used for the management of type 2 diabetes, it can cause hypoglycemia, which can also cause headaches. Hypoglycemia paired with decreased caloric intake from a low appetite contributes significantly to headaches while using tirzepatide. Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include: 

• Headaches
• Cold sweats
• Irritability
• Lightheadedness 
• Nausea

How to treat Zepbound headaches

To treat “tirzepatide (Zepbound) headaches,” consider asking yourself the following questions before you reach for an over-the-counter medication: 

• How much water/fluids have I had today? 
• Have I thrown up today? If so, how many times? 
• Have I had diarrhea today? If so, how many times?
• What have I eaten today? How much have I eaten today? 

Taking an over-the-counter pain medication to treat your headache may only mask the issue, not fix it. If you are using tirzepatide and your answer to the first question was that you have had very little or no fluids, consider drinking at least an 8oz glass of water or other electrolyte-enhanced beverage. Since tirzepatide decreases your desire to eat as often and makes you feel fuller quicker, your desire to drink fluids may also decrease. You must stay hydrated, especially in the days surrounding your injections. 

While water is great for basic hydration, another key to adequate hydration is replenishing electrolytes—you can do so by consuming potassium, calcium, chloride, sodium, and magnesium. Many beverage options are available in stores enhanced with electrolytes to replenish what's lost or missing. Side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea contribute to electrolyte and fluid loss, so if your answer to either of those questions was “yes,” you should also consider more beverage options than water to rehydrate yourself. 

If your answer to the last question is that you did not eat much, consider eating a snack or drinking a protein shake if your appetite is decreased. As discussed, hypoglycemia is a major contributing factor to headaches for those on tirzepatide. This means you must know how to modify your diet and eating habits to satisfy your nutritional needs. Ways to modify your diet and eating habits for optimal blood sugar include: 

• Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day. 
• Eating protein-rich foods to keep full and satisfied while also meeting caloric needs.
• Include snacks with complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, and protein-rich items such as boiled eggs. 

If you’ve addressed the potential underlying causes of your “tirzepatide headache” and it persists, contact your provider for further guidance. You may also consider the following to manage your headache: 

• Lay down in a dark, quiet room. 
• Place a cold, wet cloth on your forehead. 
• Massage your temples to relieve tension. 
• Remove any accessories on your head, such as headbands, hair ties, clips, and hats. 

Should I switch to semaglutide?

If you are currently using tirzepatide (Zepbound) and find you are not responding well to it, consider switching to semaglutide. Think of these two medications as Coke and Pepsi. They work the same and offer the same results but are slightly different. 

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist and is FDA-approved for the management of type 2 diabetes. Since semaglutide is not yet FDA-approved for weight loss and is only used off-label, it can be expensive if you pay out of pocket. Ahara Med offers compounded semaglutide at an affordable rate with top-tier providers and dietitians to walk alongside you in your weight loss journey. If you are nervous about the switch and want to learn more about semaglutide, our blog offers a wealth of information on this topic so you can make an educated decision. 

Try compounded semaglutide from Ahara Med for as low as $45 per month with Affirm.

Should you see a doctor for Zepbound headaches?

It is necessary that you know when it is best to visit the doctor or emergency room for headaches while receiving tirzepatide injections. You should visit your doctor or the emergency room for headaches on tirzepatide if: 

• You’re experiencing other symptoms, such as dizziness/lightheadedness, cold sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. 
• Your headaches are persistent and not resolving despite attempts at hydration, managing blood sugar, and other holistic measures.
• You are experiencing blurred vision or other vision changes that are new and accompanied by your headache. 

FAQs

Below, we’ll address a couple of frequently asked questions about tirzepatide-related headaches. We will provide thorough explanations to guide you in the right direction and help you manage your headaches effectively.

How long do headaches last on Zepbound (tirzepatide)?

Since headaches are not a commonly listed side effect on the FDA-approved medication packaging, most users take to websites such as Reddit and report that their headaches last anywhere from 1 to 2 days after their injections. Most people also reported that their headaches disappeared after hydrating and/or increasing their caloric consumption.

Are headaches common on Zepbound (tirzepatide)?

The short answer to this question is that it is unclear if headaches are directly caused by tirzepatide. For side effects to be labeled as “common” in a clinical trial, at least 5% or more participants must report the same side effect. In initial clinical trials for Zepbound, participants did not commonly report headaches, but they did frequently list side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, which cause headaches. 

Data from 2023 analyses of clinical trials revealed that 9.4% of people reported headaches while receiving tirzepatide (Zepbound). Meanwhile, 7.5% of people receiving a placebo also reported headaches. Essentially, the data is unclear as to whether or not tirzepatide directly causes headaches. Therefore, they are not reported as common. 

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