How to use it
Zepbound is typically taken once a week. Follow your care provider’s instructions for using it.
Eli Lilly recommends injecting Zepbound under the skin in your upper arm, upper thigh, or stomach. Store the prefilled Zepbound pens in a refrigerator.
Dosing
Dosing depends on your specific prescription and your care provider’s instructions. Please also read the pharmaceutical packaging.
Side effects
Commonly reported side effects of this medication include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Bloating
Black Box Warning
Although rare, Zepbound caused thyroid C-cell tumors in animal studies. Zepbound has a “black box” warning of the risk of these tumors. If you have trouble swallowing, develop hoarseness, or feel swelling or a lump in your neck, contact your health care provider immediately.
The FDA also warns not to take Zepbound if you have a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome Type 2 or medullary thyroid cancer.
Precautions
Rapid or significant weight loss can lead to too much muscle loss. To protect your muscles, it’s important to start a strength training program and exercise regularly while taking Zepbound.
Tell your health care provider if you have severe stomach problems that won’t go away, including abdominal bloating or pain, acid reflux, a feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites of food, nausea, and vomiting, including vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier. These may be symptoms of gastroparesis (stomach paralysis).
Use effective contraception while taking this medication. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, do not take Zepbound.
Zepbound is not appropriate for those with insulin-dependent diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. So, if that’s you, Zepbound isn’t the right fit.
Interactions
Some drugs can also interact with Zepbound, including:
- Insulin
- Sulfonylureas (these can cause blood sugar levels to drop dangerously low)
- Some birth control pills
- Other GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist medications such as liraglutide, dulaglutide, or semaglutide
You should not drink alcohol while taking this drug because drinking can lower blood sugar. Combining alcohol with Zepbound may cause blood sugar levels to fall too fast, leading to fainting and dizziness.