Zepbound mimics two gut hormones called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). When you eat, these hormones slow digestion and help you feel full. Zepbound also:
Zepbound is a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management. It mimics the GLP-1 and GIP hormones and is prescribed to treat obesity or overweight (a body mass index of 27+ with at least one weight-related health condition). Zepbound is a brand name for tirzepatide, which is manufactured by Eli Lilly.
Zepbound is available as an injection. Currently, the FDA has not approved a generic version of Zepbound.
Expected weight loss depends on the dosage.
In a study funded by its manufacturer, Eli Lilly, participants taking 15 mg of tirzepatide lost an average of 48 pounds over 72 weeks, while those taking 5 mg of tirzepatide lost 34 pounds.
Zepbound also improves heart health by improving heart health metrics like blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol, and helping people lose excess weight. Multiple clinical trials funded by Eli Lilly show Zepbound can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and those with overweight or obesity.
It’s significant to note that some patients have reported reduced cravings and “food noise” and increased quality of life while using Zepbound.
When you eat, the food stimulates your gut to release GLP-1 and GIP. When blood sugar levels are high after a meal, GLP-1 helps the pancreas release the right amount of insulin and slows how quickly the food moves through the digestive system. It also decreases glucagon, a hormone that controls the amount of glucose (blood sugar) the liver makes. GIP stimulates insulin release to help regulate blood sugar levels after eating.
In some people, the gut doesn’t make enough of these hormones on its own, or the brain isn’t sensitive to them.
Zepbound is a combination of synthetic GIP and GLP-1, which acts as a dual receptor agonist (RA). A drug that works as an agonist activates the same cell receptors as the body’s natural hormones. So, Zepbound works in the gut like the body’s natural GLP-1 and GIP. Because Zepbound slows digestion, it helps curb hunger and signal fullness to the brain. It also prompts insulin release, maintaining blood sugar levels after a meal. As a result, some people with obesity and excess weight have lost weight while taking it.
Because Zepbound supports a process the body isn’t doing well on its own, it may require long-term use.
It’s important to note that Zepbound doesn’t work for everyone. There are many biological reasons why people struggle to lose weight. Found’s clinicians, trained in obesity medicine, can help patients identify the root cause of their weight gain and personalize a prescription to target it. All prescriptions are up to a medical provider’s discretion.