Nausea
Feeling sick can occur, especially when starting treatment or after a dose increase. Smaller meals, slower eating and avoiding food when already full may feel more comfortable.
The GLP-1 Method™ · Safety Guide
Red Flag Guide
Understand which side effects are commonly reported, which symptoms should prompt you to contact your healthcare team, and when you should seek urgent medical attention. This guide is for education only and does not replace advice from your prescriber, pharmacist or another healthcare professional.
Commonly reported symptoms
Symptoms That Can Occur During Treatment
Digestive symptoms are commonly reported with GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP medicines, particularly when treatment begins or the dose changes. Mild symptoms may settle as your body adjusts, but persistent or severe symptoms should not be ignored.
Vomiting
Vomiting can lead to dehydration. Take small sips of fluid and seek advice if it continues or you cannot keep fluids down.
Diarrhoea
Replace lost fluids and monitor for signs of dehydration. Contact your healthcare team if diarrhoea is persistent, severe or worsening.
Constipation
Fluids, gradual fibre intake and regular movement may help. Seek advice if constipation is persistent, severe or accompanied by significant pain, vomiting or marked abdominal swelling.
Feeling Full Quickly
Early fullness is an expected effect for many people. Serve smaller portions and stop eating when you feel comfortably satisfied.
Fatigue or Headache
Eating and drinking less may contribute. Check whether you have eaten, included protein and had enough fluid.
Contact your healthcare team
When to Ask for Medical Advice
Contact your prescriber, GP, pharmacist or healthcare team when symptoms are persistent, severe, worsening or interfering with normal eating, drinking or daily life.
- Vomiting or diarrhoea continues or keeps returning.
- You are struggling to eat or drink enough.
- You feel persistently dizzy, weak or unusually tired.
- You are passing urine less often or your urine is dark and strong-smelling.
- Constipation is persistent, painful or not improving with usual self-care.
- Side effects have become difficult to manage after a dose change.
- You are unsure whether to take your next dose.
- You are concerned about any new, unusual or worsening symptom.
Do not independently increase, reduce, pause or stop a prescribed medicine
without discussing it with the appropriate healthcare professional.
Urgent symptoms
Seek Urgent Medical Attention
Seek urgent medical help if you develop severe or persistent abdominal pain, particularly when it spreads to the back. This may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting and can be a sign of acute pancreatitis.
- Severe, persistent stomach or abdominal pain.
- Abdominal pain that may spread to your back.
- Repeated vomiting with an inability to keep fluids down.
- Severe dizziness, fainting, confusion or other signs of serious dehydration.
- Difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
- Chest pain, collapse or another symptom that may represent a medical emergency.
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services immediately.
Hydration warning signs
Check for Dehydration
Vomiting, diarrhoea and very low fluid intake can cause dehydration.
Signs to Notice
- Feeling thirsty
- Dark yellow, strong-smelling urine
- Passing urine less often than usual
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Headache or unusual tiredness
- Dry mouth, lips or tongue
What to Do
- Take small, regular sips if a large drink feels difficult.
- Replace fluids lost through vomiting or diarrhoea.
- Ask a pharmacist or clinician whether an oral rehydration solution is appropriate.
- Seek medical advice if you cannot keep fluids down or symptoms are worsening.
Before your next injection
Pause and Review How You Feel
Your healthcare team should advise you about what to do when you are unwell. Before your next scheduled dose, consider whether you need clinical advice.
- Have I been able to drink and keep fluids down?
- Have I been able to eat something?
- Am I passing urine normally?
- Are my symptoms improving rather than worsening?
- Do I have severe or persistent abdominal pain?
- Do I need to contact my prescriber before taking the next dose?
A quick safety review
The Evoren Safety Check
- I know that mild digestive side effects can occur.
- I am not ignoring persistent, severe or worsening symptoms.
- I know the common signs of dehydration.
- I know when to contact my healthcare team.
- I know that severe abdominal pain may require urgent medical attention.
- I will not change my prescribed dose without professional advice.