Key takeaways

  • As with other drugs, Imcivree (setmelanotide) can cause side effects, such as skin darkening, nausea, and headache.
  • Some side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks, but others may become bothersome.
  • If side effects of Imcivree become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Imcivree is a brand-name subcutaneous injection that’s prescribed for weight loss and weight management in people with obesity caused by certain genetic conditions.

If you have problems with side effects from Imcivree, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss ways to manage side effects or other available treatment options. Do not stop taking Imcivree without consulting your doctor first.

Imcivree can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Imcivree in clinical trials:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Managing side effects” section.

Mild side effects can occur with Imcivree use. This list may not include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To find out more, you can refer to Imcivree’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Imcivree include:

  • skin darkening
  • injection site reaction
  • nausea and vomiting
  • headache
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain
  • skin mole formation
  • fatigue
  • back pain

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects continue, worsen, or become too difficult to tolerate, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Imcivree and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Imcivree may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Imcivree’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Imcivree, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” or “men” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Imcivree can cause an allergic reaction.

This side effect was reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Imcivree, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

While taking Imcivree, you may be able to take steps to make side effects easier to manage.

If you have problems with side effects that do not go away or they become worse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss options for managing side effects or other available treatment options.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting were common side effects reported in studies of Imcivree. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • Taking over-the-counter anti-nausea medications
  • eating smaller meals throughout the day
  • maintaining adequate hydration
  • eating foods that are gentle on the stomach

Diarrhea

Diarrhea was a common side effect reported in studies of Imcivree. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • Taking over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications
  • maintaining adequate hydration
  • avoiding greasy or spicy foods, which may further irritate the gastrointestinal (GI) tract
  • talking with your doctor if diarrhea continues

Imcivree may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Imcivree, Wegovy, and Zepbound may share some side effects, especially those affecting the GI tract. But each drug may also have different ones. Some common side effects that the three drugs share include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea

Keep in mind that Imcivree is prescribed for weight loss and weight management due to certain genetic conditions. But Wegovy and Zepbound are prescribed for general weight loss and weight management. If you have questions about which drug is right for you, talk with your doctor.

Possibly. Ozempic is prescribed to help manage type 2 diabetes and certain other related conditions. It may also be prescribed off-label for weight loss, but it does not have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for this use.

Some shared, common side that both Imcivree and Ozempic have include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain

If you have questions about Imcivree, Ozempic, or potential side effects, talk with your doctor.

Before taking Imcivree, discuss your health history with your doctor. Imcivree may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • a condition that causes darkened skin
  • kidney problems
  • depression
  • suicidal thoughts
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.