{"id":61257,"date":"2023-11-09T12:19:45","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T17:19:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=61257"},"modified":"2025-02-19T16:11:53","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T21:11:53","slug":"zepbound-tirzepatide-fda-approval","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/zepbound-tirzepatide-fda-approval\/","title":{"rendered":"FDA approves Zepbound for weight loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just <\/span>approved<\/span><\/a> Zepbound (tirzepatide) for chronic weight management. The injectable medication is a new version of Eli Lilly\u2019s Mounjaro, which is approved by the FDA to control blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes. Studies show tirzepatide works as an effective drug for people with obesity or those who are overweight and have other health conditions. This approval is similar to when the active ingredient in Ozempic, semaglutide, was approved for weight loss under the brand name <\/span>Wegovy<\/span><\/a>. Zepbound will join the market by the end of the year at a slightly lower, yet still expensive price.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Zepbound?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Originally approved as <\/span>Mounjaro<\/span><\/a>, tirzepatide is a prescription medication used to help control blood sugar (along with diet and exercise) in people with Type 2 diabetes. It\u2019s a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It improves blood sugar control, lowers glycemic levels, and boosts insulin sensitivity.<\/span><\/p>\n

The FDA approved tirzepatide<\/span><\/a> under the brand name <\/span>Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> in May 2022 for Type 2 diabetes. Zepbound, on the other hand, has been FDA-approved for weight loss. Comparable drugs <\/span>Wegovy<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/a> (semaglutide) are GLP-1 agonists that target receptors and stimulate insulin production. <\/span>A recent study<\/span><\/a> showed dieting patients lost up to a quarter of their body weight while taking Zepbound (when combined with diet and exercise)\u2014more than Wegovy\u2019s 15% of body weight during <\/span>their 2021 study.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Zepbound is a once-weekly injection for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (a body mass index of 30 kg\/m<\/span>2<\/span> or greater). It can also be used in individuals who are overweight (body mass index of 27 kg\/m<\/span>2<\/span> or greater) with at least one weight-related risk factor such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The shot is administered subcutaneously (under the skin) in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm.\u00a0 Zepbound is expected to be available in the <\/span>following doses<\/span><\/a>: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What are the possible side effects of Zepbound?<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to the FDA announcement, the side effects of Zepbound may include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n