Zepbound is a prescription medicine for weight loss and sleep apnea. It is effective for many people, but it can cause nausea and other side effects, so use it under a doctor’s care.
What it is
Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a prescription weekly injection from Eli Lilly. The FDA approved it in November 2023 for weight loss and in December 2024 for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
Results
In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, average weight loss was about 21% at 72 weeks on the highest dose.
Side effects
Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation. Rare: pancreatitis and gallbladder problems.
Boxed warning
Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors.
Ask
Your doctor if it is right for you.
What the drug is
Zepbound is the brand name of tirzepatide, a once-weekly injection approved by the FDA in November 2023 for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition, plus diet and exercise. In 2024 it was also approved for obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. It activates GIP and GLP-1 receptors.
- In the SURMOUNT-1 trial of 2,539 adults, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2022, the 15 mg dose led to average weight loss of about 20.9 percent over 72 weeks, versus about 3.1 percent with placebo.
- Common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and abdominal pain, mostly during dose increases.
- Weight often returns after stopping, as shown in the SURMOUNT-4 trial.
Safety
The label includes a boxed warning about the risk of thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents. It should not be used by people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. Other risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease and dehydration, and it can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. A doctor weighs benefits and risks.
What the drug is
Zepbound is the brand name of tirzepatide, a once weekly injection that activates GIP and GLP-1 receptors. The FDA approved it for chronic weight management in November 2023. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, adults on the highest dose lost on average about 20 percent of body weight over 72 weeks, versus about 3 percent on placebo.
Safety
Common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation. Warnings include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease and thyroid C cell tumor risk seen in rodents, so it is not for people with a history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2. It requires a prescription and medical supervision. Weight often returns when stopping.
What Zepbound is
Zepbound is the brand name of tirzepatide, a weekly injection approved by the FDA in November 2023 for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, and later for obstructive sleep apnea with obesity. It acts on GIP and GLP-1 receptors. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial participants taking the top dose lost an average of about 20 percent of body weight over 72 weeks.
Safety profile
Common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and stomach pain, usually in dose escalation. Serious risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney injury from dehydration and low blood sugar with insulin or sulfonylureas. It has a boxed warning for thyroid C cell tumors seen in rodents, so people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 should not use it. Weight often returns after stopping. Decisions belong with a doctor.
Based on data from the US Food and Drug Administration and the New England Journal of Medicine
