Zepbound: What Is It and How Does it Work?

Zepbound is a trade name for tirzepatide, an FDA-approved injectable weight-loss medication. It’s one of several similar drugs changing how doctors and patients address weight management. Like other weight-loss medications, Zepbound produces positive results for people who have previously struggled to lose weight.

This article explains what Zepbound is and how it works. (Note: When the same drug is used to treat diabetes, doctors refer to it as Mounjaro.)

How Much Weight Can Zepbound Help Me Lose?

Many factors affect how well a weight-loss drug works for a specific person, including body chemistry, diet, and others. It’s also important to remember that the average and high-end weight loss figures for Zepbound vary somewhat as new studies are conducted.

However, the average weight loss in Zepbound clinical trials for participants who didn’t have diabetes and received 15 milligrams of the medication weekly (the highest dose) was 18% of their body weight. Some volunteers in clinical trials have shed more pounds, with losses of 21% to 26% of body weight reported.

Any way you look at it, the numbers are encouraging for people who’ve historically had difficulty losing weight.

How Does Zepbound Promote Weight Loss?

As noted above, Zepbound is an injectable medication, not a pill. It’s available in three doses: 5, 10, and 15 milligrams. The drug works in a few ways to support weight loss.

First, it activates two hormone receptors (known as GIP and GLP-1). These hormones are secreted by cells in the intestine. The result of this activation is that the medication assists with insulin secretion and helps regulate glucose (sugar) and lipid (fat) metabolism. Zepbound also slows stomach emptying, leaving people feeling full longer.

Does Zepbound Require a Prescription?

Yes, you need a prescription from your physician to get Zepbound. Talking with your doctor is an important step, as you should have a conversation before starting any weight loss program, especially one that involves medication.

If you haven’t tried modifying your diet and exercise habits to achieve your weight loss goals, your doctor will probably recommend that approach first. However, if those actions haven’t helped you lose weight, Zepbound or one of the other weight loss medications (which are different from tirzepatide) may be helpful.

Who Can Get Zepbound?

The FDA has approved Zepbound for adults 18 and older who are obese. It’s also available for those who are overweight but have additional weight-related health issues.

A Note on BMI

Doctors use body mass index (BMI) to classify patients as overweight or obese. However, it’s important to be aware that it’s not a perfect indicator of who needs weight loss intervention.

Someone with a high BMI may be relatively fit and not at risk of weight-related health problems. On the other hand, a person whose BMI is lower might, nevertheless, have issues like diabetes, high blood pressure and a higher risk of heart failure, heart attack, stroke, or liver disease.

Consequently, it’s crucial to talk with your doctor about your overall health, BMI, weight loss goals, and past weight management efforts to determine if Zepbound is right for you.

Ask Your Baptist Health Physician About Zepbound

If you have questions about trying Zepbound for weight loss, contact your Baptist Health doctor. They’re happy to answer them.

You can use our online provider directory to find a doctor if you don’t have one.