The Type 2 diabetes drug called tirzepatide was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2023 for treating chronic weight management. Sold under the brand name Mounjaro for treating diabetes, the drug will be called Zepbound when prescribed as a weight loss medication. In a nation that has become fascinated with the results of the diabetes drug Ozempic as a weight loss solution, the green-lighting of this med is likely to cause a stir.
How the Zepbound Injection Works
Just like Ozempic, Zepbound is an injectable medication administered weekly. The drug is designed to mimic two hormones that are naturally produced in the body — glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) — and target the brain receptors for these hormones. This is where the weight loss factors come into play.
GLP-1 and GIP bind to brain receptors and offering the following benefits for people who want to significantly alter their weight:
- Tell the body it is full.
- Decrease appetite.
- Slows digestion.
- Make you feel fuller longer.
- Content to eat smaller portions.
GLP-1 also increases the amount of insulin released by the pancreas after eating, an occurrence that slows the rise in blood sugar. This works in tandem with GIP which serves as an appetite suppressant and may potentially improve how the body breaks down sugars and fats.
Are You Eligible for Zepbound?
Many people struggle with the idea of Zepbound and Ozempic for weight loss. They see the amazing effects this drug has on people when it comes to losing weight, but they may also have concerns about using a drug primarily earmarked for diabetic patients. Nevertheless, there is a great interest in this “easy” way to lose weight and adults 18 and older are eligible to take the medication per the FDA. There are a few cavets:
- Must be considered obese or overweight.
- Must have at least one weight-related health condition.
- Must adopt a reduced-calorie diet.
- Must develop an exercise routine.
In the clinical trials, the highest dose of tirzepatide – 15 milligrams – resulted in an average weight loss of 22.5 percent of body weight over 72 weeks. This is around 52 pounds. A 5 milligram prescription produced an average weight loss of 35 pounds.
When it comes to the cost of Zepbound, a one-month supply is estimated at a little over $1,000. Ozempic is $936 a month before insurance. With the FDA approval of tirzepatide, the typical insurance rejection of diabetes drugs for weight loss could change. Medicare and Medicaid are legally barred from covering weight loss medications. There are discount card programs available too, and everyone’s prescription drug insurance coverage is likely to vary.
Types of Weight-Related Conditions
A weight-related condition is defined as a medical complication that comes from being overweight or obese. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify these conditions as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High triglycerides
- High blood pressure
- High LDL cholesterol
The FDA reports that around 70 percent of American adults are overweight or obese based on body mass index (BMI). That is an incredibly high number. Though BMI is not a precise metric and has been questioned by the American Medical Association, what is for certain is that anyone overweight or obese who loses up to 10 percent of their body weight through diet and exercise is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s up to everyone individually – and their doctor – to determine if a drug like Zepbound can be of benefit to them.
As with all medications, there can be side effects from taking Zepbound, including gastrointestinal issues like constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. The drug label will also include warnings for pancreas inflammation, gallbladder problems, acute kidney injury, low blood sugar, and suicidal thinking or behavior.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Weight Loss Drugs
Whether you are interested in Zepbound, Ozempic, or Wegovy for weight loss, there is still more information to be gleaned from all these medications, including how long the results last. Effectiveness is in question.
