When to Contact Your Provider
Understanding which side effects are normal versus which require medical attention can help you stay safe during treatment.
Educational Purposes Only
This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or modifying any treatment or medication.
The Zone System
We use a simple color-coded zone system (similar to chest pain zones in hospitals) to help you determine the severity of your symptoms and when to seek care.
Green Zone: You're Doing Well
Manageable symptoms that are expected with GLP-1 treatment
Normal Symptoms:
- Mild nausea for 1-2 days after injection that gradually improves
- Reduced appetite (this is expected and therapeutic)
- Occasional constipation managed with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter remedies
- Mild fatigue that improves with adequate nutrition
- Occasional heartburn controlled with antacids
- Mild gas or bloating
- Temporary injection site reactions (mild redness, itching)
What to Do:
Continue your treatment as prescribed. Use the management strategies outlined in our side effect guides. Monitor symptoms to ensure they don't worsen.
Yellow Zone: Caution - Contact Your Provider
Symptoms that need medical evaluation within 24-48 hours
Warning Symptoms:
- Persistent nausea lasting more than 2-3 days after injection
- Vomiting (unable to keep food or liquids down)
- Daily diarrhea occurring throughout the week (not just 1-2 days post-injection)
- Severe constipation lasting more than 5 days despite treatment
- Signs of mild dehydration: decreased urination, dry mouth, dark urine
- Moderate abdominal pain that persists or worsens
- Persistent reflux not controlled by OTC medications
- Significant fatigue that interferes with daily activities
- Rapid weight loss (more than 3-4 lbs per week consistently)
- Difficulty eating or drinking adequate amounts
What to Do:
Contact your healthcare provider within 24-48 hours. Do not take your next dose until speaking with your provider. Your dose may need to be adjusted or temporarily held. Document your symptoms, their frequency, and severity.
Red Zone: Emergency - Seek Immediate Care
Symptoms requiring immediate medical attention (ER or urgent care)
Emergency Symptoms:
- Severe abdominal pain (especially upper right or center abdomen)
- Persistent vomiting (unable to keep anything down for 24+ hours)
- Signs of severe dehydration: extreme dizziness, confusion, very dark urine, no urination for 8+ hours
- Signs of pancreatitis: severe upper abdominal pain radiating to back, fever, rapid heartbeat
- Signs of gallbladder problems: severe right upper abdominal pain, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), fever
- Symptoms of bowel obstruction: severe bloating, inability to pass gas or stool, severe cramping, vomiting
- Severe allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, swelling of face/throat, severe rash, rapid heartbeat
- Vision changes or severe eye pain
- Chest pain or severe shortness of breath
- Signs of kidney problems: decreased urination, swelling in legs/feet, extreme fatigue, confusion
- Suicidal thoughts or severe depression
- Severe hypoglycemia: confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness (if taking with insulin or sulfonylureas)
What to Do:
Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately. Do not wait. Do not drive yourself if experiencing severe symptoms. These conditions can be life-threatening and require immediate medical evaluation and treatment.
📞 How to Reach Us
Non-Urgent Questions
Use the patient portal or contact your care team during business hours for non-urgent side effect questions.
Yellow Zone Symptoms
Contact your provider within 24-48 hours. Use the patient portal or call the office to schedule a consultation.
Red Zone / Emergency
Call 911 or go directly to the emergency room. Do not wait for office hours or portal responses.
Important Reminders
- When in doubt, err on the side of caution and contact your provider
- Never ignore severe or worsening symptoms
- Keep a symptom diary to help your provider make informed decisions
- Always tell ER staff that you're taking a GLP-1 medication
- Bring your medication or know the exact name and dose
- If instructed to hold your dose, do not resume without provider approval
- Save this page for quick reference during treatment
Additional Resources
References
- Wilding JPH, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/
- Jastreboff AM, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(3):205-216. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35658024/
- FDA. Ozempic (semaglutide) injection prescribing information. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/209637s008lbl.pdf
- FDA. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injection prescribing information. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/215866s004lbl.pdf