Zepbound

Zepbound^® (tirzepatide) is a prescription medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight who also have at least one weight-related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. It’s prescribed as a companion to diet and exercise. Zepbound is also approved to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity. 

Zepbound is both a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, which means it mimics the actions of the two naturally occurring hormones: glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). These hormones regulate insulin, slow digestion, and reduce appetite, which helps with blood sugar management and can lead to weight loss.

Zepbound is given as a once-weekly injection just under the skin. A healthcare provider will typically adjust the dose monthly based on the person’s updated levels to help reduce side effects.

Some common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, fatigue, and abdominal pain.

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is indicated:

• As an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of:

  • 30 kg/m² or greater (obesity) or

  • 27 kg/m² or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea or cardiovascular disease)

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist

The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with Zepbound are:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Abdominal pain

• Indigestion

• Injection site reactions

• Fatigue

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Belching

• Hair loss

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn)

The cost of Zepbound may vary depending on factors such as the dose, quantity, insurance plan coverage, and where you buy it. 

The average cost of Zepbound without insurance is about $1,086 per month, but with the manufacturer’s savings card, you may pay as little as $349 per month.

Health insurance plans may cover all or some of the cost of this medication.

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2

• Known serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide or any of the excipients in Zepbound

• Drug interactions: Zepbound delays gastric emptying and has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications

• Severe gastrointestinal disease

• Acute kidney injury

• Acute gallbladder disease

• Acute pancreatitis

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Low blood sugar: Concomitant use with an insulin secretagogue or insulin may increase the risk of low blood sugar, including severe low blood sugar

• Diabetic retinopathy complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Suicidal behavior and ideation

• Pregnancy: May cause fetal harm. When pregnancy is recognized, discontinue Zepbound

• Females of reproductive potential: Females using oral contraceptives should consider switching to a non-oral contraceptive method or add a barrier method of contraception for 4 weeks after initiation and for 4 weeks after each dose escalation

WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C-CELL TUMORS

In rats, tirzepatide causes thyroid C-cell tumors. It is unknown whether Zepbound causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as the human relevance of tirzepatide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.

Zepbound is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk of MTC and symptoms of thyroid tumors.

*This information is from the label for brand name Zepbound^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient tirzepatide.