Zepbound™️

GLP-1 / GIP, injection, tirzepatide

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:

Regulates insulin

Balances blood sugar

Reduces appetite

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Everything you need to know about
Zepbound™️

What is

Zepbound™️

Benefits How it works How to use it

What is
Zepbound™️
?

Zepbound^TM 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.

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Benefits 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.

How does
Zepbound™️
work?

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.

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More on personalized treatment with Found

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

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.

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.

about
found

Found is an online weight loss program offering personalized care for every member. Some of the nation’s top obesity medicine specialists helped design our program. Our approach is based on science, and we’re committed to clinical excellence.

Members get access to: Clinicians trained in obesity medicine 1:1 health coaching Self-paced lifestyle change program designed by doctors, psychologists, and behavioral scientists Exclusive in-app community.

Found’s comprehensive program is designed to work with your body—so you can achieve lasting results and enjoy better health.

Alternative medications

Depending on your health history, weight history, and MetabolicPrint^TM assessment, your Found health care provider may consider other alternatives to help you lose weight. Some are FDA-approved for weight loss. Others are used off-label and have strong clinical evidence supporting their use for weight loss.

Unfortunately, there are no generic versions of Ozempic currently on the market.
However, your health care provider might consider alternatives such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Saxenda, all of which are GLP-1 medications but not all are FDA-approved for weight loss specifically.