Dry Mouth
Users on Reddit report experiencing dry mouth as a side effect of GLP-1 medications, sometimes severely, and often linked to dehydration or a suppressed thirst sensation.
Experiences with Dry Mouth:
The dry mouth can be persistent. A user described, "I was just knocking back a big Stanley tumbler after Stanley tumbler of water and never felt like my mouth stopped being dry. "[3]
One user on compounded semaglutide reported, "I have SEVERE dehydration. ... The worst part about the dehydration is the mouth pain. My mouth feels like it’s on fire all of the time... I also suck on xylitol lozenges like crazy to try to keep the cotton out of my mouth. It’s terribly painful and I have a really hard time with it. "[5] This user also noted, "I cannot ever ‘feel’ like I’m hydrated. My mouth and tongue are on FIRE. "[6]
Another user experienced dry mouth after their initial dosage: "I started my initial dosage on Friday afternoon and 24 hrs later, I am feeling weak with sore muscles, nauseated with a bit of lightheadedness, dry mouth even after drinking so much water. "[4]
A user on Tirzepatide also noted, "Dry mouth on Tirzepatide... I stay pretty hydrated regardless. "[7]
In the first month, a user was "constantly incredibly thirsty and couldn’t seem to drink enough to stop the feeling of dry mouth. "[10]
Some users note that the medication can suppress thirst, leading to dehydration and dry mouth. One user mentioned, "For me, the GLP-1 medication suppressed my thirst an extreme amount. As a result, I’ve been severely dehydrated over the past few weeks, and no amount of water seemed sufficient. "[8] Another stated, "Decreased thirst sensation can be a side effect. "[11] This is echoed by a user who said, "I have found I have less thirst on these medications so I need to be intentional about drinking water to avoid dehydration. "[12] and "I’ve just found I don’t get thirsty and I get dehydrated easily if I’m not forcing myself to try to drink more. Maybe the meds suppress thirst a bit? "[14]
Another user has to "make myself take water/ fluid, ... forget to drink! "[17]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
Another user who experienced severe dehydration and mouth pain stated, "I have a 32 oz water bottle that I fill between 10-12 times a day and probably 2-3 times a night. I also take electrolytes to try to help. "[5]
A user emphasized, "It really seems to me that a huge percentage of side effects people experience with these meds could be headed off by simply increasing fluid intake aggressively. "[9]
It's important to be intentional about hydration: "GLP-1s decrease both hunger and thirst cues, so you need to make sure you are keeping hydrated by tracking your water intake... The recommendation is 64-100 fl. oz. (~2L) of water per day. "[15] This user also adds, "it’s a great idea to also have electrolyte drinks in addition to water. Electrolytes are key to proper hydration... If you’re peeing a lot and still feel thirsty, that is a good sign to consider a sports drink on these meds. "[16]
Dry Mouth Lozenges/Products:
"getting some dry mouth lozenges helped. "[3]
"I also suck on xylitol lozenges like crazy to try to keep the cotton out of my mouth. "[5]
Other Oral Care:
One user mentioned trying various things for mouth pain associated with severe dry mouth: "I will sometimes gargle with hydrogen peroxide and that MIGHT help a tiny bit. I switched to a non fluoride toothpaste on someone’s recommendation, but my sensodyne seems to help more than anything. Also, swishing around milk of magnesia will give me a bit of pain relief for a few minutes. "[5]
Intentional Drinking:
Since thirst can be suppressed, users recommend being mindful: "I have to remind myself to drink water or I end up with dehydration headaches.
Experiences with Dry Mouth:
- Several users explicitly mention experiencing dry mouth.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Hydration and Electrolytes:
- Increasing water intake is commonly advised.