4 things adults with obesity or overweight should know before using Zepbound (tirzepatide) for obesity management — from a physician on the front lines of obesity care
(BPT) - Managing your weight can feel overwhelming, but finding safe, effective, and accessible treatment is possible. With the right support, weight loss can be possible.
As an endocrinologist also working in obesity treatment development, I've seen firsthand how the right treatment options like Zepbound® (tirzepatide) may help patients treat obesity.
Zepbound is an injectable prescription medicine that may help adults with obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems, to lose excess body weight and keep the weight off.
Zepbound contains tirzepatide and should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist medicines. It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children.
As a physician, the safety of my patients is foremost. While media attention around these medications has surged in recent years, it's important to know how patients can access safe, FDA-approved obesity management medications. It is also critical that people understand that FDA-approved Zepbound is held to rigorous testing to verify safety, effectiveness, and quality, unlike compounded versions. Sadly, many people, including some of my patients, are unaware that compounded versions may have come from dangerous and illicit foreign sources.
As of May 22, 2025, the FDA no longer permits the compounding of some incretin-based obesity management medications, which highlights the importance of using FDA-approved medications like Zepbound. For those who may have been previously prescribed a compounded incretin-based obesity management medication but no longer have access to that compounded medication, there are accessible FDA-approved options available to help people make the next step in their treatment journey.
Here are the 4 things I think everyone should know before starting Zepbound.
Obesity is not a choice
Many adults have tried diet and exercise alone for weight reduction, only for them to regain the weight over time. We know that this cycle of weight loss and regain is not due to a lack of willpower.
What they need to know is that obesity is not a choice. It is a complex, chronic disease that is impacted by a variety of factors including genetics and an individual's environment. People who struggle with weight reduction deserve comprehensive care and should talk to their healthcare provider about how to do this.
Change starts with Zepbound
Zepbound, along with diet and exercise, helps adults with obesity lose weight and keep it off. Zepbound has delivered significant and sustained weight loss. It is not for cosmetic weight loss. †Individual results may vary.
In a 72-week study of adults without diabetes, Zepbound 5 mg led to an average of 15.0% (34 lbs) body weight loss, Zepbound 10 mg led to 19.5% (44 lbs) body weight loss and, Zepbound 15 mg led to 20.9% (48 lbs) body weight loss, compared to 3.1% (7 lbs) for placebo. Average starting weights were 226.8 lbs for 5 mg, 233.3 lbs for 10 mg, 232.8 lbs for 15 mg, and 231.0 lbs for placebo.
In another 72-week study of adults with diabetes, Zepbound 10 mg led to an average weight loss of 12.8% (28 lbs) and Zepbound 15 mg led to 14.7% (33 lbs) weight loss, compared to 3.2% (7 lbs) for placebo. Average starting weights were 222.4 lbs for 10 mg, 219.6 lbs for 15 mg, and 224.2 lbs for placebo.
Individual results may vary. In studies, average weight loss in adults with or without diabetes was ~15% (34 lbs) on 5 mg, ~13-20% (28-44 lbs) on 10 mg, and ~15-21% (33-48 lbs) on 15 mg compared to ~3% (7 lbs) on placebo. The average baseline weights were ~220-233 Ibs.
Talk to your healthcare provider about what's right for you and watch real stories, like Heather's, about the difference it made in their weight loss journey.
Zepbound works differently
Dual-acting Zepbound is the only FDA-approved obesity management medication of its kind. It works differently by activating the receptors of GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), two naturally occurring hormones.
Select Safety Information
Warning:
Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rats, Zepbound and medicines that work like Zepbound caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Zepbound will cause thyroid tumors, or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people. Do not take Zepbound if you or any of your family have ever had MTC or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Authentic Zepbound is accessible through Lilly
Many of my patients are surprised to learn that Lilly (the makers of FDA-approved Zepbound) offers accessible options, regardless of insurance status.
- If you have commercial drug insurance with coverage for Zepbound, you may be eligible to pay as low as $25 for a 1 or 3 month supply of Zepbound. If you have commercial drug insurance but it does not cover Zepbound, you may be eligible to pay as low as $650* for a 1-month supply of Zepbound. One month is defined as 28 days and up to 4 pens and three months is defined as 84 days and up to 12 pens. *Estimated payment based on savings of up to $469 per month. Governmental beneficiaries excluded, terms and conditions apply.Go to SaveonZepbound.com for additional details.
- Zepbound single-dose vials are available exclusively through LillyDirect® Self Pay Pharmacy Solutions with a prescription, no insurance needed or accepted:
Zepbound single-dose vial
- 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, and 10 mg doses
- 2.5 mg is the starting dose and not approved as a maintenance dose
- Zepbound 2.5 mg
- $349/month*†
- Estimated $737 savings‡
- Zepbound 5 mg
- $499/month*†
- Estimated $587 savings‡
- Zepbound 7.5 mg
- $599/month*†
- Estimated $487 savings‡
- Zepbound 10 mg
- $699/month*†
- Estimated $387 savings‡
- Additional taxes, fees, and conditions may apply, including that patients must certify that they have been prescribed the Zepbound vial for an approved use consistent with FDA-approved product labeling. †The vial is distributed in a one-month supply (or 28 days/up to 4 single-dose pens). ‡The estimated savings is based on Zepbound pen list price as of Jan 1, 2025.
If you have questions about how to get started on the next step of your treatment journey with an FDA-approved treatment, visit Zepbound.lilly.com for more information.
INDICATIONS AND SAFETY SUMMARY WITH WARNINGS
Zepbound® (ZEHP-bownd) is an injectable prescription medicine that may help adults with:
- obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems to lose excess body weight and keep the weight off.
- moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity to improve their OSA.
It should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Zepbound contains tirzepatide and should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children.
Warnings -Zepbound may cause tumors in the thyroid, including thyroid cancer. Watch for possible symptoms, such as a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. If you have any of these symptoms, tell your healthcare provider.
• Do not use Zepbound if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
• Do not use Zepbound if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
• Do not use Zepbound if you have had a serious allergic reaction to tirzepatide or any of the ingredients in Zepbound.
Zepbound may cause serious side effects, including:
Severe stomach problems. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Zepbound. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away.
Kidney problems (kidney failure). Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration.
Gallbladder problems. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who use Zepbound. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms of gallbladder problems, which may include pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools.
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Zepbound and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.
Serious allergic reactions. Stop using Zepbound and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting or feeling dizzy, or very rapid heartbeat.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Zepbound with medicines that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugarmay include dizziness or light-headedness, sweating, confusion or drowsiness, headache, blurred vision, slurred speech, shakiness, fast heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, mood changes, hunger, weakness or feeling jittery.
Changes in vision in patients with type 2 diabetes.Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Zepbound.
Depression or thoughts of suicide.You should pay attention to changes in your mood, behaviors, feelings or thoughts. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you.
Food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation).Zepbound may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Zepbound before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures.
Common side effects
The most common side effects of Zepbound include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdominal) pain, indigestion, injection site reactions, feeling tired, allergic reactions, belching, hair loss,and heartburn. These are not all the possible side effects of Zepbound. Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or doesn't go away.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effects. You can report side effects at 1-800-FDA-1088 orwww.fda.gov/medwatch.
Before using Zepbound
• Your healthcare provider should show you how to use Zepbound before you use it for the first time.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking medicines to treat diabetes including an insulin or sulfonylurea which could increase your risk of low blood sugar. Talk to your healthcare provider about low blood sugar levels and how to manage them.
• If you take birth control pills by mouth, talk to your healthcare provider before you use Zepbound. Birth control pills may not work as well while using Zepbound.Your healthcare provider may recommend another type of birth control for 4 weeks after you start Zepbound and for 4 weeks after each increase in your dose of Zepbound.
Review these questions with your healthcare provider:
- Do you have other medical conditions, including problems with your pancreas or kidneys, or severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems digesting food?
- Do you take diabetes medicines, such as insulin or sulfonylureas?
- Do you have a history of diabetic retinopathy?
- Are you scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)?
- Do you take any other prescription medicines or over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or herbal supplements?
- Are you pregnant, plan to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed? Zepbound may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while using Zepbound. It is not known if Zepbound passes into your breast milk. You should talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while using Zepbound.
• Pregnancy Exposure Registry:There will be a pregnancy exposure registry for women who have taken Zepbound during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry, or you may contact Lilly at 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979).
How to take
•Read the Instructions for Use that come with Zepbound.
• Use Zepbound exactly as your healthcare provider says.
• Use Zepbound with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
• Zepbound is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm.
• Use Zepbound 1 time each week, at any time of the day.
• Change (rotate) your injection site with each weekly injection. Do not use the same site for each injection.
• If you take too much Zepbound, call your healthcare provider, seek medical advice promptly, or contact a Poison Center expert right away at 1-800-222-1222.
Zepbound injection is approved as a 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg per 0.5 mL in single-dose pen or single-dose vial.
Learn more
Zepbound is a prescription medicine. For more information, call 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979) or go to www.zepbound.lilly.com.
This summary provides basic information about Zepbound but does not include all information known about this medicine. Read the information that comes with your prescription each time your prescription is filled. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about Zepbound and how to take it. Your healthcare provider is the best person to help you decide if Zepbound is right for you.
ZP CON BS 20DEC2024
Zepbound®, its delivery device base, and LillyDirect® are registered trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.
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Source: BrandPoint
