Also called delayed gastric emptying, slow stomach emptying · Reviewed
Definition:Gastroparesis, also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder that slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine, NIDDK says. It is not common: about 10 men and 40 women out of 100,000 have it. People with diabetes are more likely to get it.
What the labels say
Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are not recommended for people with severe gastroparesis. Their labels put this under severe stomach and gut side effects.
Symlin lists gastroparesis among the reasons a person should not be considered for it, along with drugs that speed gut movement.
The Mounjaro label says it may make oral hormonal birth control work less well, and advises a non-oral method or an added barrier method for 4 weeks after starting and after each dose increase.
Slowing the stomach is part of how these medicines work, so nausea, fullness and vomiting are common side effects even in people without gastroparesis.
How it differs from usual side effects
NIDDK notes that symptoms similar to gastroparesis occur in about 1 in 4 US adults, so the label of gastroparesis needs a test, not just symptoms. Ongoing vomiting, feeling full after a few bites or losing weight without trying are reasons to talk with a clinician.
Why it matters for your log
Stomach side effects on GLP-1 medicines tend to cluster around dose increases. Logging nausea, vomiting and meal size next to each dose shows whether symptoms ease over a few weeks or keep going.
General education drawn from labels and published studies, not personal medical advice. Your prescriber, pharmacist and the label that came with your product are the final word.
Can people with gastroparesis use GLP-1 medicines?+
The Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro labels say they are not recommended for people with severe gastroparesis. Whether a milder case matters is a question for the prescriber.
Is gastroparesis common?+
NIDDK says it is not: about 10 men and 40 women out of 100,000 have it. Similar symptoms are far more common, in about 1 in 4 adults.