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If you're on Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or another GLP-1 medication and you've been struggling with constipation — first, know this: you are not alone. We hear it every single week at Aria Wellness. It's one of the most common side effects of these medications, and it's one of the least talked about.
We hear it often. "I feel so backed up and nothing is working." "I haven't gone in days." "I'm bloated and miserable and I don't know what to do." If any of that sounds familiar, this blog is for you.
Whether you're here in Scottsdale and can come see us, or you're reading this from across the country — everything in this guide is written for both. Most of what helps starts at home. Let's begin with the why, because understanding what's happening in your body makes everything else make more sense.
If you're experiencing severe pain, persistent vomiting, or haven't had a bowel movement in 5+ days — please skip to the Red Flags section now.
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy work by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1. One of their most powerful effects is that they slow gastric emptying — food stays in your stomach longer, which is why you feel full. That's the medication doing exactly what it's designed to do.
But here's something that often doesn't get explained clearly:
"That same slowing effect doesn't stop at your stomach. It travels through your entire digestive tract — all the way to your colon."
Your colon depends on movement — the natural muscle contractions called peristalsis that push waste through and out. When GLP-1 medications slow everything down, those contractions become sluggish. Waste sits longer. It becomes harder to pass. And the longer it sits, the more water gets pulled from it, making things even more compacted.
This is not a personal failure. It is not something you did wrong. It is simply your body responding to a medication that is working — with a side effect that benefits from some thoughtful support.
At Aria Wellness, we've had more conversations about GLP-1 constipation in the past year than ever before. People come in feeling frustrated, uncomfortable, and sometimes embarrassed — wondering if something is wrong with them.
People on GLP-1 medications often drink less water (reduced thirst) and eat less food (reduced appetite) — and suddenly their electrolytes are tanking. Headaches. Fatigue. Muscle cramps. Worsening constipation. Aim for 80–125 oz of water daily and add a clean electrolyte so your body actually absorbs and uses it. Two we recommend: Jigsaw Electrolytes and Thorne Electrolytes.
Magnesium Glycinate is our go-to for GLP-1 constipation — gentle on the stomach, well absorbed, and may help draw water into the colon to get things moving. Many clients notice a real difference within a few days. Take it at bedtime — it supports sleep as well as the gut's overnight reset.
Castor oil has been used for centuries to support elimination. Applied topically to the lower abdomen, it may help stimulate the smooth muscle contractions your colon relies on to move waste. Applied to the upper right, it supports liver and gallbladder drainage — which matters more than most people realize on a GLP-1 (more on that below).
Warm it slightly. Apply generously. Cover with an old cloth or flannel. Add a heating pad. Rest 45–60 minutes. Add a few drops of DigestZen (doTERRA) or DiGize™ (Young Living) for extra digestive support.
Shop castor oil: Plastic bottle · Glass bottle · Full starter kit
Warm water with lemon in the morning, herbal teas throughout the day, bone broth in the evening — all gently coax a sluggish digestive system. Avoid "detox" teas containing senna (cramping and dependency). Three we love: Digestive Nirvana (formulated for digestive calm), Marshmallow Root Tea (coats and soothes the gut lining), and Licorice Root Tea (supports the mucosal lining).
When GLP-1 medications slow digestion, food sits longer and may not fully break down — especially proteins and fats. Enzymes close that gap. We love Digest-A-Meal by OHS (whole-food enzyme blend) and Pancreatic Enzymes. Take with meals.
Cleanse More is a non-habit-forming herbal formula designed to gently support overnight elimination. Start with one capsule at night and see how your body responds.
Want to understand how your whole digestive system works from top to bottom? Read our guide: How Digestion Really Works →
The habits above are the foundation. These are the next layer — products our clients ask about most and that we've watched make a real difference.
GI Benefits by DaVinci Labs is a fruit-flavored drink mix formulated to soothe, hydrate, and support the gut lining from the inside out. One scoop in cold water or juice, once a day.
What makes it worth talking about: L-Glutamine (5,000mg) — the primary fuel source for intestinal cells. Zinc Carnosine — supports the mucosal lining. Arabinogalactans — prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial bacteria your gut needs, especially when GLP-1 medications have slowed everything down. Plus DGL, Aloe Vera, Slippery Elm, and Marshmallow Root — three of the most time-tested gut-soothing botanicals, all in one formula.
Bloating is another common GLP-1 side effect that responds well to daily habit changes. Our full guide: Beat the Bloat: Daily Habits for a Calmer Belly →
Here's something most people on GLP-1 medications are never told — and it's one of the most important things in this entire guide.
GLP-1 medications affect your gallbladder through a two-hit mechanism that almost nobody talks about:
Hit #1 — Reduced gallbladder motility. GLP-1 medications suppress cholecystokinin (CCK) — the hormone that normally triggers your gallbladder to contract and release bile. Without regular contractions, bile sits in the gallbladder and becomes concentrated and stagnant. Research shows GLP-1 therapy may reduce gallbladder ejection fraction by up to 50% in some patients.
Hit #2 — Rapid weight loss changes bile composition. When you lose weight quickly, the cholesterol content in your bile increases and bile thickens. Thicker bile leads to gallbladder sludge, which can become gallstones.
What you can do:
TUDCA (tauroursodeoxycholic acid) is a water-soluble bile acid that naturally occurs in your body in small amounts. When supplemented, it may support healthy bile flow, help thin sludgy bile, protect liver cells from oxidative stress, and support fat-soluble vitamin absorption (A, D, E, K) — all things that become more important when your gallbladder isn't emptying the way it should.
For many of our clients on GLP-1 medications, adding TUDCA is the piece that finally moves the needle after everything else plateaus. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and has emerging clinical research supporting its role in bile and liver health.
Two options we recommend: TUDCA via Fullscript (ships anywhere) · CellCore Advanced TUDCA (practitioner account — we'll connect you).
A note about the pancreas: Some research suggests GLP-1 medications may carry a small increased risk of pancreatitis (pancreatic inflammation), though the evidence is less clear-cut than the gallbladder data. Severe abdominal pain — especially pain that radiates to your back, with or without vomiting — is a red flag that needs immediate medical attention. See the When to Call Your Doctor section below.
For deeper drainage pathway support — liver, kidneys, lymph, and gut — our guide on CellCore Biosciences covers the foundational protocol we use with many GLP-1 clients.
Here's how we think about GLP-1 constipation support at Aria Wellness — not as a single fix, but as three layers you can add at your own pace:
Not ready for all of that? Start with one thing. A walk after dinner. A castor oil pack tonight. Nightly magnesium before bed. Every step in the right direction counts — and we'll meet you exactly where you are.
Most GLP-1 constipation is uncomfortable but not dangerous. A few situations are different. These symptoms may signal pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, bowel obstruction, or severe gastroparesis — and they need a medical provider, not a wellness blog.
If any of these apply to you, please contact 911, your prescribing physician, or go to the nearest ER. These symptoms require a licensed medical provider.
Colon hydrotherapy — also called a colonic — uses warm, purified water to gently hydrate and stimulate the colon, helping to move stagnant waste that has built up from slowed motility. Many clients feel significant relief after just one session — lighter, less bloated, and more comfortable than they've felt in weeks.
If you've never had a colonic and feel nervous — that's completely normal. Our sessions are private, comfortable, and always guided with warmth and care.
Five therapies. Every drainage layer. One intentional session.
Drainage & Detox Support
Cellular & Energetic Support
Not in Scottsdale? Everything in the at-home sections of this guide ships anywhere in the US through our Fullscript dispensary and CellCore account. You don't have to be local to feel supported.
Tonya specializes in colon hydrotherapy, BioMat therapy, castor oil packs, FIR Microbiome Lamp treatments, and the Whole Detox Experience. She's worked with dozens of clients on GLP-1 medications and knows this protocol inside and out.
(575) 430-4510 — Call or Text Tonya Book a Session →BioSet practitioner with 35+ years of experience. Especially useful for GLP-1 clients dealing with food sensitivities, chronic bloating, or when standard approaches haven't moved the needle.
Book Through Aria: (575) 430-4510Therapeutic abdominal massage and myofascial release — hands-on support for GLP-1 clients dealing with chronic bloating, slowed motility, or abdominal tension.
Book With Ana →AllSwell Healing, LLC. Lymphedema therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, pre/post cosmetic surgery (Psomas Method), advanced wound care. Invaluable for GLP-1 clients dealing with rapid weight-loss swelling or planning cosmetic surgery. 30+ years experience. Phoenix in-person or telehealth nationwide.
(737) 471-2200 — Call Diana AllSwellHealing.com →Each practitioner operates independently. Aria Wellness refers but does not supervise external practitioners.
The colon is often the last stop on a backed-up highway — not the source of the problem. When the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system aren't draining properly, no amount of magnesium or colonics will fully solve it.
→ Read: Opening the Drainage Pathways🔴 WEB DESIGNER: Update the href above when the Drainage Pathways blog is live
Every product below is something we personally use or recommend to clients. Professional-grade formulas through our Fullscript dispensary — shipped to your door anywhere in the US.
Ozempic · Wegovy · Mounjaro · Zepbound · and all GLP-1 medications
Yes — it's one of the most common side effects. These medications slow gastric emptying, which means waste moves through more slowly. When it sits longer, more water is absorbed, making stools harder. Studies report this affecting 10–20% of users.
For some people it improves within a few weeks as the body adjusts. For others, especially on higher doses, it can persist throughout treatment. With the right support, most people find meaningful relief without stopping their medication.
MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol) is commonly considered safe for short-term use alongside GLP-1 medications — check with your prescribing provider first. For ongoing daily support, many people prefer gentler approaches like magnesium glycinate, improved hydration with electrolytes, and walking after meals.
Yes — colon hydrotherapy is one of the most direct forms of support. It gently hydrates and stimulates the colon, helping move stagnant waste. Many clients notice significant relief after just one session. New client sessions at Aria Wellness are $150. Call (575) 430-4510.
Most people do well with 80–125 oz per day. Because these medications reduce thirst and appetite, many people unintentionally drink less than they need. Adding clean electrolytes helps your body absorb and use the water.
Research suggests constipation may become more frequent at higher doses. If you're stepping up and symptoms worsen, talk with your prescriber about dose timing or a slower escalation pace.
TUDCA (tauroursodeoxycholic acid) is a bile acid supplement that may support healthy bile flow from the gallbladder. GLP-1 medications can slow gallbladder emptying and thicken bile — TUDCA may help thin it, support liver function, and improve fat digestion. It's one of the most underappreciated supplements for people on these medications.
Contact your healthcare provider if: you haven't had a bowel movement in 5+ days, you have severe abdominal pain (especially radiating to your back), persistent vomiting, blood in your stool, fever, jaundice, or signs of dehydration. These may signal pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, or bowel obstruction.
"When the menopause weight just wasn't coming off, my doctor recommended a GLP-1. It helped — but it also brought the constipation. So everything in this guide? I'm not just recommending it. I'm living it."
"What's made the biggest difference for me personally: castor oil packs most nights, my probiotics, and the CellCore foundational drainage protocol. Opening those drainage pathways has been the single clearest thing that helped me — and it's been the number one thing my clients tell me has gotten them back to going to the bathroom regularly. I have clients with outstanding results from just the Jumpstart Kit alone."
"The daily habits matter too — walking after meals, chewing slowly, not drinking water right around mealtime, giving my body a break before eating. A lot of what I do for this is the same as what I do for bloating. It's simple. It's consistent. And it works."
"If you're reading this and feeling frustrated — I get it. Not from a textbook. From my own body. You're not the only one dealing with this, and you don't have to figure it out alone. Call me. We'll work through it together."
