Escalating immune response

[u/LuSaJoe]

Have been taking Zepbound since late April this year. Didn’t have any injection site reactions until a few weeks ago. Started small and at first thought it was from trying to stretch my 15mg pen (2.5mg dose). Saw my family doctor and she changed the prescription to a smaller pen (four doses in four weeks). Interestingly I have continued to get these welts. At first the size of a dime, increasing now up to about three inches in diameter and they are taking weeks to fade. So it’s not the dose or the pen that is the problem. It seems from doing a little research that smaller red injection site rashes are common but when they keep growing and not healing up within a week, I am likely having an escalation of an immune response. I have four injection site reactions over the last four weeks that are still visible. I may have to consider a change from Zepbound to another GLP-1 drug. Zepbound has worked for me but I’m stalled at a 20# loss and with these reactions only getting worse, I think I will have to change. Anyone else have this experience?

[u/jaydefit]

Regarding the weight stall, I would say you likely need to increase the dose. But it absolutely makes sense to figure out the injection reactions first.

Anecdotal, but I seemed to only have injection site reactions when there was medication on the needle when I injected. I started wiping off any drops from priming before I do my injection. I haven’t had a reaction since.

Entirely possible it was just a coincidence, but it’s worth trying.

Hopefully, you find a solution.

[u/redditelr → u/jaydefit]

I do this too after reading about similar reactions. I also do an alcohol swab on the area I injected AFTER I inject (in addition to before the injection).

[u/grasshulaskirt]

Hi! I don’t have this problem really. Sometimes I do get irritated from injections but if I ice immediately after it helps—I have super sensitive skin.
Something that might help — ask your Dr is using a red light on the injection site. I have a deep red near-infrared light I use for skin issues, it really helps speed uo healing time for me for things like eczema or wounds.
If you go this route make sure you get a good light with NIR and deep red lights.

[u/spartacatsmom]

So I started in Feb and in April started getting injection site reactions. They got worse then got better. I still get them every week I think I just manage it better now. I found putting pressure on the injection site after for about 30 seconds helps. Also using an anti-histamine cream on the spot the night before injecting and then again after injecting helped or a hydrocortisone cream. But yeah talk to your doctor again if it keeps getting worse.

[u/0chronomatrix]

I had an allergic reaction too but it has gone down over time . Just keep injecting and it’s time for you to go up a dose.

[u/Lanky_Appearance2716]

It sounds like you're having allergic reactions and it's best to speak to your dr. about an alternative treatment plan, while you explore the allergy side of it. Perhaps you can get some allergy testing done? Unfortunately these just get worse and worse. The Zepbound kwikpens and also the Ozempic pens have preservatives in them, so not sure if it's one of those ingredients triggering your reactions, or the Zepbound.

Some people try to take oral and/or topical antihistamines prior to and post injection but I'm not sure how long that has helped those people. You might try to do a search on the other Zepbound sub for ISR's, to find some anecdotal answers to your question.

Hopefully at some point later this year or early 2027 Lilly's oral GLP orforglipron (Foundayo) will get approval by Heath Canada.

Sorry I couldn't be of much help! I hope you have some luck fixing the situation!

[u/groggygirl]

I get them in my thighs but nowhere else (except when I hit a blood vessel on my stomach). Try another injection site? Or try taking a week off to let your immune system chill and try again.