Zepbound is the latest medicine permitted within the U.S. by the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) for power weight administration.
Though not particularly permitted to deal with these situations, it additionally helps individuals with insulin resistance obtain higher blood sugar and A1c ranges and decrease blood stress and levels of cholesterol.
This text will clarify every part it’s essential find out about Zepbound earlier than taking the medicine.
(Picture courtesy of Eli Lilly and Firm.)
What’s Zepbound?
Zepbound belongs to the dual-action class of medicines often known as glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These medicine are designed to imitate hormones that regulate blood sugar ranges and suppress urge for food in response to the consumption of particular vitamins, primarily carbohydrates and fat.
Authorized by the FDA on November 8, 2023, Zepbound is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Firm.
Its energetic ingredient, tirzepatide, is run as a once-weekly injection for power weight administration in adults who’re overweight or obese and have a number of weight-related situations, equivalent to sort 2 diabetes, hypertension, or excessive ldl cholesterol.
Zepbound is a part of a broader class of medicines for weight administration that features FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonists like Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide).
Are Zepbound and Mounjaro the identical factor?
Mounjaro is a sister drugs to Zepbound. Whereas each medicine have tirzepatide as their energetic ingredient, their permitted makes use of differ, with Mounjaro FDA-approved for managing blood sugar ranges in individuals with sort 2 diabetes.
Learn extra in: Every thing You Must Know About Mounjaro.
What are the advantages of Zepbound?
Zepbound is a strong medicine. There are various advantages to taking Zepbound, together with the next:
Weight reduction
In a single scientific trial for Zepbound, members who accomplished a 36-week remedy protocol skilled a mean weight lack of 20.9 p.c.
From week 36 to week 88, members who continued with Zepbound skilled a further common weight discount of roughly 5.5 p.c, whereas those that had been switched to the placebo (inactive remedy) noticed a mean weight achieve of 14 p.c. This demonstrates Zepbound’s effectiveness in sustaining the burden loss achieved throughout the preliminary remedy section.
Total, 89.5 p.c of the research members receiving Zepbound at 88 weeks maintained at the very least 80 p.c of their weight reduction in comparison with 16.6 p.c receiving the placebo.
The general weight reduction from the beginning of the research to week 88 was 25.3 p.c for these taking Zepbound versus 9.9 p.c for these taking the placebo.
The research authors famous that members who had been switched to a placebo, successfully stopping Zepbound, regained a lot of the burden that they had misplaced. This highlights the significance of steady remedy with Zepbound to maintain the advantages of weight reduction.
In different analysis, Zepbound has been discovered to be much more efficient for weight reduction than Ozempic. Individuals who took Zepbound misplaced between 15 to 21 p.c of their physique weight, on common, in comparison with 14.9 p.c for many who took Ozempic.
Decrease blood stress
Though Zepbound is just not particularly permitted for treating hypertension, scientific trials have proven that individuals taking Zepbound, alongside food regimen and train, skilled reductions in blood stress.
This discovering underscores the potential cardiovascular advantages related to weight reduction and metabolic enchancment achieved by way of Zepbound, which might be significantly helpful for individuals with diabetes, who typically take care of coexisting hypertension.
Decrease ldl cholesterol
Within the scientific trials, members taking Zepbound, together with a nutritious diet and train, skilled enhancements of their levels of cholesterol.
Whereas Zepbound is just not formally permitted for ldl cholesterol administration, these enhancements spotlight the broader advantages of considerable weight reduction achieved with the medicine. Sustaining wholesome levels of cholesterol is extraordinarily essential for individuals with diabetes, given their heightened danger for coronary heart illness and stroke.
Higher blood sugar ranges
In comparison with the placebo, Zepbound was related to vital enhancements in blood sugar (fasting blood glucose) and A1c ranges (a measure of glucose management over the earlier 2 to three months) in research members as nicely.
This can be as a result of GIP/GLP-1 medicines work by serving to the pancreas produce extra insulin, reducing the quantity of sugar launched by the liver, rising the physique’s sensitivity to insulin, and slowing digestion, making you are feeling full longer.
Though Zepbound itself is marketed for weight administration, tirzepatide, as famous earlier, can also be permitted beneath the model identify Mounjaro for treating sort 2 diabetes. Subsequently, the noticed enhancements in blood sugar ranges current an additional benefit, particularly contemplating the widespread overlap between weight problems and sort 2 diabetes.
Why would you be prescribed Zepbound?
Zepbound is FDA-approved particularly for power weight administration.
The drugs is permitted to be used in adults 18 and older who’ve a body-mass index (BMI, a measure of weight relative to peak) of 30 or greater, or if their BMI is 25 or greater they usually have one weight-related medical situation, equivalent to sort 2 diabetes, hypertension, or excessive ldl cholesterol.
Zepbound might decrease blood sugar ranges and enhance A1c, however it’s not a diabetes medicine. (Do not forget that its energetic ingredient, tirzepatide, can also be permitted for treating sort 2 diabetes beneath the model identify Mounjaro.)
If you don’t meet the standards to take Zepbound, chances are you’ll qualify for a GLP-1 medicine equivalent to Ozempic (semaglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), or Victoza (liraglutide), primarily based in your physician’s evaluation.
What are the unwanted effects of Zepbound?
The most typical unwanted effects skilled in scientific trials had been gentle to average gastrointestinal occasions, equivalent to nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Different widespread unwanted effects might embody:
- Abdomen ache
- Constipation
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), for those who take insulin
Though uncommon, extra extreme issues might embody:
- Thyroid tumors, together with most cancers
- Pancreatitis (irritation of the pancreas)
- Modifications in imaginative and prescient (equivalent to worsening of diabetic retinopathy)
- Kidney issues
- Gallbladder issues, which can current as higher belly ache, fever, jaundice, or clay-colored stools
- Critical allergic reactions
- Hair loss and hair thinning (this can be a results of fast weight reduction and never a facet impact of the medicine itself)
A number of of those extra extreme unwanted effects can result in well being issues and loss of life.
Name your physician or search emergency medical consideration for those who:
- Develop a fever
- Expertise modifications or worsening of your imaginative and prescient
- Really feel weak or in ache after taking the medicine
- Suppose chances are you’ll be having an allergic response to the medicine
Search emergency medical consideration for those who’re experiencing extreme low blood sugar ranges, which will be deadly if not handled shortly.
Does Zepbound have an effect on starvation?
Sure — suppressing urge for food is a key mechanism by way of which Zepbound aids in weight reduction.
Zepbound does this in a couple of methods. First, it inhibits the discharge of glucagon from the liver, which naturally lowers blood sugar ranges and reduces starvation pangs.
Second, it slows abdomen emptying to maintain you feeling fuller for longer and fewer prone to snack on empty energy.
Third, it will increase insulin sensitivity by prompting the pancreas to launch insulin when blood sugar ranges are excessive. This stops blood sugar swings and reduces starvation at its core.
Moreover, Zepbound, by way of its GLP-1 receptor agonist exercise, instantly impacts urge for food facilities within the mind, additional contributing to a decreased sense of starvation and decrease calorie consumption.
What are the doses of Zepbound?
Zepbound is available in a number of completely different doses tailor-made to fulfill particular person wants, with the suitable dose relying on components equivalent to your weight, tolerance to the medicine, any unwanted effects skilled, well being historical past, objectives, and life-style. The choice on the perfect dose in your state of affairs shall be decided between you and your physician.
Zepbound is run subcutaneously (beneath the pores and skin) utilizing a single-dose injection pen, and is offered within the following incremental doses to permit for dose adjustment :
- 2.5 milligrams (mg): That is the beginning dose.
- 5 mg
- 7.5 mg
- 10 mg
- 12.5 mg
- 15 mg
Every dose is run as soon as weekly with or with out meals, ideally on the identical day and on the similar time every week, to keep up constant blood ranges of the medicine.
Any modifications to your dosing routine must be made beneath the steerage of your physician, who can think about your response to the remedy and any unwanted effects chances are you’ll encounter.
How a lot Zepbound ought to I take?
This choice must be made in session along with your physician. Nevertheless, initially, everybody who takes Zepbound begins with a 2.5 mg weekly injection to reduce the chance of unwanted effects and permit the physique to regulate to the medicine.
This beginning interval lasts for at the very least 4 weeks, offering a chance to watch for any hostile reactions. In scientific trials, 7 p.c of members stopped taking the medicine as a consequence of hostile unwanted effects.
Primarily based in your response and the medicine’s tolerability, your physician might modify your dose, with 15 mg as soon as weekly being the utmost really useful dose. It’s essential to comply with your physician’s directions and to not change your dose with out medical recommendation.
What occurs if I take an excessive amount of Zepbound?
For those who take an excessive amount of Zepbound chances are you’ll expertise extreme hostile unwanted effects, together with:
- Debilitating nausea
- Extreme vomiting (with the lack to maintain meals down)
- Diarrhea
- Abdomen ache
- Low blood sugar, particularly for those who’re additionally on insulin — this may be deadly if not handled instantly
Name your physician or search emergency medical consideration instantly for those who’ve unintentionally taken an excessive amount of Zepbound or unintentionally taken your dose twice inside one week.
Do I want to alter my food regimen to drop a few pounds on this medicine?
Altering your food regimen is just not strictly essential to drop a few pounds whereas taking Zepbound. Nevertheless, the medicine is handiest when used along side elevated bodily exercise and wholesome dietary modifications.
Moreover, the medicine might make you nauseous, and it could make it tougher to eat massive meals and meals excessive in fats, particularly whenever you first begin taking the drug.
Speak along with your physician for those who’re occupied with altering your food regimen, or meet with a registered dietitian (RD) to formulate a meal plan that can be just right for you and your well being objectives.
Additionally converse along with your physician for those who’re experiencing hostile unwanted effects like nausea and vomiting and are having hassle consuming common meals and snacks.
You might also must decrease your dose for those who’re coping with low blood sugars as a consequence of persistent nausea or vomiting.
What occurs if I miss a dose of Zepbound?
It’s no large deal for those who forgot to take your weekly dose of Zepbound. Nevertheless, consistency is essential to the best well being advantages and success.
For those who miss a dose of your medicine, attempt to take it as quickly as potential. Nevertheless, if it’s been greater than 4 days (96 hours) since your missed dose, simply skip that week and wait till your subsequent weekly dose to renew taking your medicine. This strategy helps make sure you don’t take doses too shut collectively, which might enhance the chance of unwanted effects.
After addressing a missed dose, you’ll be able to proceed along with your common once-weekly dosing schedule. If wanted, the particular day of your weekly dose will be adjusted, so long as there’s a minimal interval of three days (72 hours) between doses. This flexibility lets you preserve the remedy’s effectiveness whereas accommodating any vital modifications to your routine.
At all times test along with your physician for those who’re not sure about how one can handle a missed dose or when you’ve got any issues about your Zepbound remedy.
How do I take Zepbound?
Zepbound is taken by way of a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection utilizing a pen system, designed for self-administration at house. It doesn’t are available tablet type.
If there are any particles or discoloration current within the medicine, don’t use the pen, because it might be expired.
Earlier than injecting, clear the injection web site with isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Rotate injection websites every week to forestall accidents and the event of scar tissue.
Zepbound can usually be injected beneath the pores and skin within the thigh, stomach, or higher arm.
Who shouldn’t take Zepbound?
Solely take Zepbound if it has been prescribed to you by your physician. This medicine is just not meant for the remedy of sort 1, sort 2, or gestational diabetes.
Zepbound is just not applicable for individuals beneath 18 years outdated.
It’s not really useful to be used if you’re pregnant, planning on turning into pregnant, or if you’re breastfeeding.
Don’t use Zepbound for those who or any of your loved ones members have ever had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or when you’ve got A number of Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome sort 2 (MEN 2).
Don’t use Zepbound if you’re allergic to tirzepatide.
How can I cease taking Zepbound?
By no means cease taking your medicines with out consulting along with your physician first. Doing so might lead to fast weight achieve and insulin resistance.
Your physician can present steerage on the perfect strategy to discontinuing Zepbound, which can embody regularly tapering the dose.
Additionally discuss to your physician about an alternate medicine, train, or meal plan to assist fight any rebound results chances are you’ll expertise for those who determine to cease taking Zepbound.
Does Zepbound substitute insulin?
No. Zepbound is just not insulin and it’s not an insulin alternative. It’s not FDA-approved for the remedy of diabetes.
For those who’ve been prescribed Zepbound for power weight administration and still have diabetes, you will want to proceed taking your diabetes medicines, together with insulin, as prescribed.
Can I take Zepbound together with different medicines?
This can rely upon what different varieties of medicines you’re at present prescribed.
At all times discuss to your physician earlier than starting a brand new medicine for those who take Zepbound.
For those who’re being prescribed Zepbound, disclose all the present medicines you are taking to your physician and ask about any contraindications to your security and well-being.
For those who take contraception tablets, bear in mind that Zepbound might scale back their effectiveness throughout the first 4 weeks of remedy and for 4 weeks following every dose enhance, requiring a dialogue on various or supplementary types of contraception along with your healthcare supplier.
Zepbound is mostly not really useful for use together with different GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 medicines like Wegovy, Mounjaro, Victoza, or Ozempic, as a result of potential for additive results or elevated danger of unwanted effects. Zepbound will be taken together with insulin.
How is Zepbound saved?
Zepbound must be saved refrigerated between 36 to 46 levels Fahrenheit (2 to eight levels Celsius). Don’t freeze Zepbound and don’t use the medicine whether it is or has been frozen.
How can I get a prescription for Zepbound?
Speak to your physician for those who want to get a prescription for Zepbound. They will see for those who qualify primarily based in your well being historical past and BMI and/or waist circumference.
Speak along with your physician if you don’t qualify for Zepbound however need to drop a few pounds.
They can advocate different FDA-approved weight-loss medicines that could be a greater match for you, equivalent to Wegovy.
How a lot does Zepbound price?
How a lot you pay for the medication will rely in your insurance coverage protection. The checklist value for Zepbound is $1,059.87 for a 30-day provide of the medicine.
Most individuals with insurance coverage protection won’t pay wherever close to the checklist value of the medicine. Nevertheless, protection and prices do fluctuate by insurance coverage plan.
Sadly, presently, Medicare doesn’t cowl weight reduction medicines, together with Zepbound. Nevertheless, monetary help or affected person help packages provided by the medicine’s producer could also be accessible to assist scale back prices for eligible individuals.
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