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Why can Zepbound cause headaches and what to do about it?

Medically reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD. Last updated on Sep 7, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Zepbound (tirzepatide) might sometimes cause headaches, but this side effect is usually mild and manageable for most people. Headaches are not listed as a common side effect in the FDA-approved labeling for Zepbound, but have been reported in other studies. Below, we will review why Zepbound can cause headaches and how to manage them.

Why Zepbound Can Cause Headaches

Although headaches were not a commonly-reported side effect during Zepbound clinical trials, a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis found that headaches were reported by about 4-5% of patients taking the medication in other studies. There are also case reports of patients taking Zepbound who developed headaches during treatment. The incidence of headache appears to increase with higher doses.

There are several reasons why Zepbound might trigger headaches in some individuals:

How to Manage or Prevent Zepbound-Related Headaches

Zepbound-related headaches can often be prevented or treated. Some strategies include:

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When to Contact a Doctor

Seek medical attention if headaches become persistent, severe, or are accompanied by other worrisome symptoms, such as vision changes, chest pain, or fever. Persistent vomiting, confusion, or signs of severe dehydration (dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, minimal urination) are also reasons to consult a healthcare professional, as these could indicate a more serious reaction.

Conclusion

Headaches linked to Zepbound may be temporary and can typically be managed with good hydration and symptom monitoring. Communicate openly with your healthcare provider to best manage side effects so you can continue your treatment while staying safe.

References
  1. Colorado, M., Gomez Miranda, J., & Arias-Morales, C. E. (2025). Unanticipated Adverse Events With Tirzepatide: Three Cases Underscoring the Importance of Postmarketing Monitoring. JCEM case reports, 3(10), luaf195. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcemcr/luaf195
  2. Mishra, R., Raj, R., Elshimy, G., Zapata, I., Kannan, L., Majety, P., Edem, D., & Correa, R. (2023). Adverse Events Related to Tirzepatide. Journal of the Endocrine Society, 7(4), bvad016. https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvad016
  3. Zepbound [package insert]. Updated July 2025. Eli Lilly and Company. Accessed on September 7, 2025 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=487cd7e7-434c-4925-99fa-aa80b1cc776b

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