Zepbound: What It Is & How It Works (Plus Dose Schedule)

Zepbound is a prescription medication used for weight loss in people with obesity or those who are overweight and have at least one related condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.

This medication contains tirzepatide, which sends fullness signals to the brain and slows down stomach emptying, helping to reduce hunger, decrease food intake, and promote weight loss.

Zepbound is FDA approved in the United States and comes as a subcutaneous injection, meaning it is injected under the skin.

What is Zepbound

Zepbound is prescribed for:

• Obesity with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or higher;

• Overweight with a BMI of 27 kg/m² or higher, when associated with conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or high cholesterol;

• Long-term weight management in people with obesity or overweight.

Zepbound may also be used to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.

Zepbound should be used in combination with a well-balanced diet prescribed by a registered dietitian along with regular physical exercise. It should be used only under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional.

Also recommended: Weight Loss Diet: Best Foods to Eat, Avoid & Meal Plan tuasaude.com/en/weight-loss-diet

Zepbound is available in single-dose injection pens containing 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg of tirzepatide.

Mounjaro vs Zepbound

Zepbound and Mounjaro both contain tirzepatide as the active ingredient, but they are approved for different purposes.

Zepbound is indicated for weight loss in adults ages 18 and older who have obesity or overweight.

Mounjaro, on the other hand, is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults and is available by prescription at the pharmacy.

Is a prescription required for Zepbound?

Yes, Zepbound is available only by prescription in the United States.

Your healthcare provider will determine if Zepbound is appropriate for you and send the prescription to your preferred pharmacy, usually through an electronic system.

How does Zepbound work

Zepbound acts on both GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors.

GLP-1 and GIP are hormones known as incretins that are naturally produced in the gut. They help regulate blood sugar and appetite by:

1. Slowing gastric emptying;

2. Promoting satiety;

3. Reducing hunger and food intake;

4. Stimulating insulin release from the pancreas;

5. Decreasing glucose production in the liver;

6. Improving insulin sensitivity;

7. Supporting fat metabolism.

GLP-1 and GIP receptors are found in the pancreas, brain, intestines, heart, kidneys, adipose tissue, white blood cells, and blood vessels.

Zepbound, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic for weight loss

Zepbound, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic all belong to the same class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are approved for weight loss in people who have obesity or are overweight.

However, Zepbound tends to result in greater weight reduction than Wegovy because it acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) may also cause weight loss in people with diabetes, but they are only approved for diabetes management, not for obesity treatment.

How to use

Zepbound is given as a subcutaneous injection under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

It should be injected once a week, at any time of day, with or without food. Treatment starts with a lower dose that is gradually increased each month under medical supervision.

Zepbound dose schedule

If necessary, an endocrinologist may increase the dose in the 5th month to 12.5 mg once per week and in the 6th month to 15 mg once per week.

Doses should only be increased under the guidance of a licensed healthcare professional and are determined based on treatment response and possible side effects.

The maximum recommended dose is 15 mg once per week.

Missed doses

If you forget to take your weekly dose, it can be administered as soon as possible within four days (96 hours) after the missed dose.

If more than four days have passed, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular weekly schedule.

How to store

Zepbound should be kept in its original packaging, protected from the light, and stored in a refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C).

To avoid temperature fluctuations, it’s best to store Zepbound on a refrigerator shelf or in the vegetable drawer instead of the refrigerator door. It can also be stored at room temperature, up to 86°F (30°C), for up to 21 days.

Do not freeze Zepbound.

Discard the pen after 21 days if it has been stored at room temperature, exposed to temperatures above 86°F (30°C), exposed to light, or frozen.

Zepbound side effects

The most common side effects of Zepbound include:

• Nausea and vomiting;

• Diarrhea and constipation;

• Indigestion and heartburn;

• Abdominal pain and frequent burping;

• Hair loss and excessive fatigue;

• Pain, itching, irritation, lesions, or bruising at the injection site;

• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Zepbound can also significantly lower blood sugar levels, leading to hypoglycemia.

Other possible side effects include acute pancreatitis, severe gastrointestinal disorders, acute kidney injury, gallbladder disease, and severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis.

Contraindications to use

Zepbound should not be used by people under 18 years or age or in individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. It is contraindicated during pregnancy and in anyone with an allergy to​ tirzepatide or any component of the injection.

In people who are breastfeeding, Zepbound should only be used if recommended by a healthcare professional, as it is not known whether the drug passes into breast milk or affects the baby.