When is the best time to take Zepbound?

In this article:

• Best time to take Zepbound
• How to choose the best time of day to take Zepbound
• Tips for remembering to take Zepbound
• What to do if you miss a dose of Zepbound

In this article

• Best time to take Zepbound
• How to choose the best time of day to take Zepbound
• Tips for remembering to take Zepbound
• What to do if you miss a dose of Zepbound

Zepbound is the brand name for tirzepatide, a GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist that’s taken by injection once per week. Mounjaro is also a brand of tirzepatide, but it’s indicated to treat Type 2 diabetes. Zepbound is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for weight loss and chronic weight management in people with obesity or people who are overweight and have at least one weight-related health condition, to be used along with a reduced-calorie diet and physical activity. Zepbound has also been approved to treat moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in people who have obesity.

Zepbound is administered weekly via an injection under the skin. If you are taking Zepbound, you may wonder when the best time is to take it and how to fit a consistent dosing schedule into your routine.

Best time to take Zepbound

Zepbound pens come in single-dose vials, which should be injected into the fleshy areas of your stomach, upper arms, or thighs. Besides the fact that you should inject Zepbound once per week on the same day, there are no other specific guidelines about the best time to use Zepbound. When you take Zepbound doesn’t affect how well it works.

The timing of your Zepbound injection can be based on your own personal preferences. “There isn’t a universal best time that works for everyone,” says Supriya Rao, MD, a board-certified physician in gastroenterology and obesity lifestyle medicine. “Consistency is what matters more.”

RELATED: How fast does Zepbound work? 

V. Andres Sasson, MD, a board-certified emergency physician and founder of Lighthouse Weight Loss, agrees that there isn’t a best time to take Zepbound. “By design, you’re injecting the medication into your subcutaneous fat, and it lasts a full week,” Dr. Sasson says.“The absorption is slow and steady. It’s not like an IV drug that hits your bloodstream immediately, or a pill that’s absorbed within hours.”

Timing around meals

While some medications should be taken with or without food, experts agree that you don’t need to time Zepbound around meal times. “Because Zepbound is a long-acting medication designed to be taken once per week, I don’t give any specific recommendations about timing of the injection in relation to meals,” says Sarah Stombaugh, MD, an obesity medicine physician.

How to choose the best time of day to take Zepbound

Again, there is no “best time” to take Zepbound. As long as you’re taking it consistently once per week, it’s up to you when you want to take it. But there are a few factors to consider when choosing the best timing for your preferences and lifestyle.

Consider your own daily routines

It can be helpful to consider your daily patterns and rhythms when choosing what day to inject Zepbound. Dr. Stombaugh recommends asking yourself the following questions:

• Are there days you will consistently be able to take the medication?
• Are there times of the week when you’ll need more support with the medication?
• Are there days when you have more flexibility in your schedule to manage potential side effects of Zepbound?

Time injection around peak effectiveness

Zepbound usually reaches its peak effectiveness about a day after you inject it. “I commonly suggest for my patients to take their Zepbound injection on Thursday night or Friday morning so they have peak effectiveness of their medication over the weekend, when they may be more out of routine and desire additional support from the medication,” Dr. Stombaugh says. “They may also have more flexibility over the weekend to manage any side effects that come up from the medication.”

Consider side effects

Similar to other GLP-1 receptor agonist medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, Zepbound can produce side effects in some people. Common side effects of Zepbound include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and injection site reactions. Not everyone experiences side effects, and the side effects may or may not occur immediately after taking the medication.

But if you notice that you experience side effects soon after taking Zepbound, you may want to time your dose around this. “Most people choose evenings or weekends so they can rest and recover if side effects like nausea or constipation kick in,” Dr. Rao says.

Consider the need for refrigeration

Although Zepbound can be stored outside your fridge at room temperature for 21 days, for ideal effectiveness, it’s best if Zepbound is kept in the fridge. Consider when you’ll have access to a refrigerator as you create your Zepbound injection schedule.

Still, you have options even if you find yourself traveling. “If you travel, there are medication-specific mini coolers developed for people with diabetes that work well for Zepbound, too,” Dr. Sasson recommends.

Privacy considerations

Taking Zepbound involves injecting yourself with the medication, so privacy is something to consider. “Privacy is a personal factor, so some people choose to schedule their dose when they know they’ll have time and space,” Dr. Sasson says.

Tips for remembering to take Zepbound

Let’s face it: Life can get hectic, and it can be challenging to remember to take your weekly Zepbound injection. There’s good news, though. “It’s not critical to take it at the exact same time each week,” Dr. Sasson assures. That being said, you will need to take it on the same day each week, and developing a Zepbound routine is important. Here are some tips.

Set alarms

While you don’t have to take Zepbound at the same exact time each week, it’s good to pick a day that you take it and set reminders for taking it. “I often encourage my patients to choose a time that will generally work for their schedule, then to set an alarm on their cellphone to chime at that time,” Dr. Stombaugh says.

Make it a part of your weekly routine

Besides setting phone reminders or calendar alerts, Dr. Rao recommends making Zepbound injections part of your weekly routine, such as a Sunday evening reset routine. Other ideas include taking your Zepbound dose at the end of your work week, or on Saturday morning when you clean or take care of household business.

Use a medication log

Other people may prefer to log their doses in a paper medication log or a medication log that’s part of an app. Doing so means that you are taking a more active role in your weight loss journey, and it can feel gratifying to record your injections.

What to do if you miss a dose of Zepbound

If you miss a dose of Zepbound, you don’t need to panic. But you should take your missed dose as soon as you remember, according to Dr. Stombaugh. If more than four days have gone by since your missed dose, you can just skip that week’s dose and go back to your regular schedule, Dr. Stombaugh advises.

There is some flexibility in terms of altering your weekly dosing schedule if the need arises. “I do advise patients that it is okay to change their weekly injection date or to intentionally delay a dose if it makes sense because of a complicated travel schedule, for example,” Dr. Stombaugh says. “You want to make sure there are at least three days between two doses of Zepbound medication.”

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Bottom line

There is no ideal time to take Zepbound. The time of day that you use Zepbound doesn’t change its effectiveness and doesn’t impact side effects for most people. As long as you take Zepbound consistently each week, you can decide on a date and time that works best for your schedule and lifestyle.

At the same time, it’s common to have further questions and concerns about taking Zepbound or other weight loss medications. Seek medical advice from your healthcare provider or pharmacist, as they know your individual health profile and can make recommendations tailored to your specific needs.