What is Zepbound?

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is an FDA-approved medicine used for weight loss and weight management to help you lose weight and keep weight off, and it is also used for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with obesity. Zepbound works by reducing your appetite and making you feel full more quickly and for a longer period of time, so you eat less and lose weight. Zepbound for weight loss and sleep apnea is given as a once-weekly injection under the skin and should be used together with diet and exercise.

When Zepbound was used for weight loss patients lost an average of 48 lbs, or 20.9% of their body weight, compared to 7.1 lb, or 3.1%, for a placebo over 72 weeks in clinical (Study 1).

When Zepbound was used for obstructive sleep apnea 42% of adults had no sleep apnea or mild, non-symptomatic OSA after 1 year of treatment, compared to 16% using placebo (SURMOUNT-OSA phase 3 clinical trials). Zepbound obstructive sleep apnea patients also had an average weight loss of 45 lbs (18% of their body weight).

Zepbound is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with:

• obesity (with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater)
• overweight (with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater) and also have weight-related medical problems such as high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol (dyslipidemia), type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease.

Zepbound is FDA-approved to treat:

• obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that is moderate to severe in adults with obesity.

How Does Zepbound Work?

Zepbound works like two natural hormones in our bodies, called GIP and GLP-1, which help control appetite, blood sugar levels, and digestion. When Zepbound binds to GIP and GLP-1 receptors, it slows the rate food passes through your body, making you feel full longer, and the pancreas releases more insulin, lowering the amount of sugar your liver makes. This helps helps weight loss and may also lower blood sugar levels. Zepbound is a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. Zepbound’s mechanism of action is by activating both GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone receptors.

Zepbound vs Mounjaro – what is the difference?

Mounjaro is used for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound is used for weight loss, weight management and sleep apnea, but they both contain the same active ingredient and are both made by Eli Lilly and Company. They are both given as weekly injections under the skin and are available as single-dose pens in the same strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg per 0.5 mL. Zepbound is also available as single-dose vials.

Zepbound side effects

Common Zepbound side effects

The most common Zepbound side effects include:

• Feeling sick, nausea 25%
• Diarrhea 19%
• Constipation 17%
• Indigestion, dyspepsia 9%
• Abdominal pain 9%
• Vomiting 8%
• Injection reactions 6%
• Tiredness, fatigue 5%
• Hypersensitivity reactions 5%
• Hair loss 5%

These common side effects occurred in 5% or more of patients taking Zepbound 5mg in Zepbound clinical trials SURMOUNT-1 (NCT04184622) and SURMOUNT-2 (NCT04657003), two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.

Serious Zepbound side effects

Serious Zepbound side effects include severe gastrointestinal disease, acute kidney damage, gallbladder disease, acute pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas), serious allergic reactions, low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), diabetic retinopathy issues in type 2 diabetics, suicidal behavior or thoughts, and food or liquid getting into the lungs during anesthesia or deep sedation.

Stop using this medicine and get emergency medical help if you have:

• signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; feeling light-headed; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; or
• pancreatitis with symptoms of severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea, and vomiting.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach problems, if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting, or you may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back;
• eye side effects or vision changes, including blurry vision or blurred vision;
• signs of a thyroid tumor symptoms may include swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or if you feel short of breath;
• gallbladder problem with symptoms including chalky-colored stools, stomach pain after eating, nausea, heartburn, bloating, and severe upper stomach pain that may spread to your back;
• low blood sugar symptoms may include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery; or
• kidney problems with little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.