ZEPBOUND® (Tirzepatide)

FDA-Approved for Weight Loss

Like other GLP-1 medications, Zepbound® (tirzepatide) is a once weekly injectable medication that helps regulate blood sugar levels. It is meant to be used alongside lifestyle changes (including changes to diet and exercise) to help adults with obesity or overweight lose weight. The FDA approved Zepbound® (tirzepatide) for chronic management of obesity and overweight in November 2023.

It is worth noting that Zepbound® has the same active ingredient known as “tirzepatide” with another GLP-1 and GIP medication – Mounjaro®. Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) was FDA approved for type-2 diabetes in May of 2022. Both drugs are manufactured by the same pharmaceutical company – Eli Lilly. Despite their different names and uses, both contain the same active ingredient and have the same escalating doses of 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg and 15mg.

Additionally, in December, 2024, the FDA approved Zepbound® (tirzepatide) for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity, to be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) occurs when the upper airway is blocked during sleep, causing breathing interruptions. Although OSA can affect any person, it is more prevalent among individuals with overweight or obesity. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can cause serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and impaired cognitive function.

Zepbound® (tirzepatide) functions similarly to other drugs in the GLP-1 family, but it includes an additional compound known as Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP). Therefore, Zepbound® (tirzepatide) imitates the actions of two incretin hormones involved in blood sugar regulation: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). This combined mode of action makes it the first FDA-approved weight loss medication to target both receptors.

You are eligible to use Zepbound® (tirzepatide) for weight loss if you are 18 years old or over and meet the following criteria:

1. BMI of 30 or more.
2. BMI of 27 or more with related health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, fatty liver, or other comorbid conditions.
3. Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
4. No personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 2.
5. No history of pancreatitis.

In clinical trials, the average weight loss for people taking Zepbound® (tirzepatide) was 15% – 21% of their body weight. It is worth noting that the amount of weight lost depends on the dose of Zepbound® and other factors, such as diet and exercise. In addition, Zepbound® (tirzepatide) has also shown to improve cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist size in some clinical trials. At Worthy Weight Loss, patients have lost up to 28% of their initial weight while using Zepbound® (tirzepatide), in conjunction with a balanced diet and regular exercise.