Feeling tired or sleepy is a common side effect of Zepbound. Following a nutrient-dense diet and staying physically active may help boost energy levels. Most drug side effects gradually decrease with time. Let a doctor know if they don’t or if they worsen.
Fatigue (including body weakness, lethargy, and malaise) is one of the more common side effects of Zepbound. The higher the dose, the greater the percentage of people who report this side effect.
In clinical trials conducted on Zepbound and reported in the drug’s prescribing information label, participants shared they experienced fatigue and related side effects after starting the drug.
The following chart shows how many people in those studies reported fatigue as a side effect and the weekly Zepbound dose in milligrams (mg) they were taking, compared with the number of people who received a placebo(a treatment with no active drug).
| Dose –> | Placebo (no drug) | 5 mg | 10 mg | 15 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 958 | 630 | 948 | 941 |
| Percentage with fatigue | 3% | 5% | 6% | 7% |
Kidney problems, such as acute (sudden) kidney failure, were also reported in Zepbound in these studies, although this was rare.
Kidney disease may also cause fatigue and related symptoms, like:
If you have chronic kidney disease, you may have an increased chance of developing kidney-related problems if you take Zepbound. If you experience sudden fatigue, consider visiting a healthcare professional as soon as you can.
Many factors can cause you to feel sleepy or tired during Zepbound treatment.
Zepbound is effective at reducing your appetite. When you eat less, your body has fewer calories to burn for energy, which can lead to fatigue.
If you increase your overall activity levels as part of a weight management program that includes Zepbound, you may also be burning more calories than usual. This, together with reduced food intake, may make you feel more tired than usual.
Zepbound may also cause other side effects that are associated with fatigue. For instance, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting are common side effects of the drug. These side effects can lead to sleep loss (contributing to tiredness) and dehydration, which can also leave you feeling fatigued.
When taken with insulin or a sulfonylurea, Zepbound may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Fatigue and low energy levels are primary symptoms of hypoglycemia.
When reducing calorie intake, it’s important that the food you consume is rich in specific nutrients so your body gets what it needs to function properly.
Limiting your intake of carbohydrates, lean protein, essential vitamins and minerals, and healthy fats (even if you’re not consuming fewer calories) can also cause prolonged fatigue.
It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, as dehydration can make you feel extra tired.
Physical activity can help boost your energy levels when paired with proper nutrition. A 20- to 30-minute walk, five to seven days per week, can be very effective at reducing daily fatigue.
Getting quality sleep each night is also critical for managing tiredness. Adults are encouraged to sleep 7-8 hours each night.
Long-term impact of Zepbound
While it’s not clear from the initial studies how long Zepbound fatigue typically lasts, most drug-related side effects clear up within a few weeks of starting treatment.
If you have ongoing or bothersome fatigue that is impacting quality of life, consider speaking with a healthcare professional or pharmacist about alternative medications or management strategies.
If you have extreme drowsiness along with other symptoms of kidney problems (as noted earlier in this article), it’s important to call your doctor right away.
Feeling tired or with low energy is a common side effect of Zepbound treatment. For some people, fatigue may decrease after a few weeks. If you’re limiting food intake and increasing physical activity, it’s important to follow a nutrient-dense diet to avoid Zepbound-related fatigue.
If you have kidney disease or low energy levels and sleepiness is affecting your quality of life, it’s important to discuss your symptoms with a healthcare professional to avoid long-term adverse effects.
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