Key takeaways
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a prescription drug used for weight loss and obstructive sleep apnea in certain adults. It works by reducing appetite and slowing digestion, which makes you consume fewer calories.
- Common side effects of Zepbound include nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Serious side effects are rare.
- Zepbound comes as a liquid solution inside prefilled injection pens. You inject the drug under your skin once per week. The dose is gradually increased based on your doctor’s recommendations.
Zepbound is a brand-name medication that contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. There is currently no generic version of the drug.
Zepbound helps you lose weight by reducing your appetite. The drug also slows down digestion. So after eating, you feel fuller sooner and for longer. These effects help you consume fewer calories, which can help with weight loss and long-term weight management.
Zepbound is prescribed for adults who:
- have obesity (a body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher), or
- have overweight (with a BMI of 27 or higher) and a weight-related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, or obstructive sleep apnea
Doctors also prescribe it to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
Medical experts don’t know if Zepbound is safe and effective for children.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Zepbound. What you’ll pay for Zepbound may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.
Here are a few things to consider regarding Zepbound’s price:
- Comparing pharmacies: The price of Zepbound may vary by pharmacy, so it can help to compare prices to find the lowest cost.
- Savings program: You may be eligible for a Zepbound savings program. People with commercial insurance may pay $25 for a 1-month prescription.
- Savings coupons: You can visit drug discount websites to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Zepbound using coupons from the site.
Learn about where to buy Zepbound online.
Like most drugs, Zepbound may cause side effects ranging from mild to serious. Most side effects affect the gastrointestinal system and happen when you increase your dose.
Common side effects
The common mild side effects occur in 5% or more of people taking Zepbound:
- nausea and vomiting
- constipation or diarrhea
- burping and gas
- abdominal pain
- heartburn or indigestion (upset stomach)
- hair loss
- fatigue (low energy)
- injection site reactions, such as a skin rash, bruising, or itching
These side effects are typically temporary and go away within a few days to weeks. If they continue or get in the way of daily life, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Zepbound aren’t common. If you have serious side effects during your Zepbound treatment, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
Serious side effects of Zepbound include:
- severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, which could lead to dehydration and kidney injury
- gallbladder problems, such as gallstones
- pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- low blood sugar
- diabetic retinopathy complications
- risk of pulmonary aspiration during surgery
- boxed warning: risk of thyroid cancer
- severe allergic reaction
For more information about Zepbound’s side effects, including its boxed warning (the FDA’s most serious warning of potential side effects), see this article: Side Effects of Zepbound
Zepbound is available in six strengths:
- 2.5 milligrams (mg)
- 5 mg
- 7.5 mg
- 10 mg
- 12.5 mg
- 15 mg
Zepbound comes as a liquid solution in prefilled, disposable injection pens called a “KwikPen”. It also comes in single-dose or multidose vials to be used with a needle and syringe. The drug is given as an injection under your skin.
This section describes Zepbound’s typical dosage, but always follow the dosage your doctor prescribes.
Zepbound’s dose escalation schedule for weight loss and obstructive sleep apnea is almost identical, but the maintenance dose may differ slightly.
| Starting dose | Escalation | Maintenance | Maximum dose | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight loss | 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks | Increase by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks until the target maintenance dose is reached | 5, 10, 0r 15 mg once weekly | 15 mg once weekly |
| Obstructive sleep apnea | 2.5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks | Increase by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks until the target maintenance dose is reached | 10 or 15 mg once weekly | 15 mg once weekly |
What if I miss a dose of Zepbound?
If you miss a dose of Zepbound, inject it as soon as you remember. But if it’s been more than 4 days (96 hours) since your dose was due, skip the missed dose and inject your next dose at the usual time.
You should not inject two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
What to do in case you inject too much Zepbound
Call your doctor if you think you’ve injected too much Zepbound. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Or go to the nearest emergency room.
You should inject Zepbound into your abdomen, thigh, or the back of your upper arm. If you want to have the injections in your upper arm, another person will need to administer the injections for you.
The injection should be given into a slightly different spot each week to avoid irritating your skin.
Your doctor will explain how you should inject Zepbound. They’ll also explain how much to inject and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
You can inject Zepbound with or without food.
Zepbound is injected once per week. You can inject Zepbound at any time of day, but it’s best to inject a dose on the same day each week.
Yes, you can change your injection day as long as you leave at least 3 days (72 hours) between doses.
Store Zepbound in the refrigerator at 36ºF to 46ºF. Single-dose pens and vials can stay at room temperature for up to 21 days. Multidose vials and KwikPens can stay at room temperature for up to 30 days. Do not freeze Zepbound.
If Zepbound works for you and doesn’t cause bothersome side effects, your doctor will likely recommend long-term treatment with it.
Zepbound starts working as soon as you start treatment, but it might take a few weeks before you notice weight loss. Improvements in sleep apnea symptoms may take several months and usually happen as you lose weight over time. Your doctor can give you a better idea of what to expect based on your individual progress.
Zepbound, Mounjaro, and Ozempic can be used for weight loss. But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved Zepbound for weight loss.
Zepbound and Mounjaro contain the same active ingredient, tirzepatide. Because of this, the drugs have similar side effects. Ozempic’s active ingredient is semaglutide.
Zepbound, Mounjaro, and Ozempic each come as prefilled, single-dose injection pens. They’re each given once per week as an injection under your skin.
Find out more about the similarities between Zepbound and Ozempic.
Yes, Zepbound is usually safe for older adults (people ages 65 years and over). In studies, the side effects of Zepbound were similar in older and younger adults.
However, older adults may be more likely to take other medications that could interact with Zepbound. Older adults are also more likely to have health conditions, such as kidney problems, which may make Zepbound unsafe for them. If you have questions about Zepbound’s safety based on your age, talk with your doctor.
It’s unlikely. Long-term side effects weren’t reported in studies of Zepbound.
Before starting Zepbound, you may wish to consider the following:
Interactions with Zepbound
Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.
The following table lists some of the most common medications that can interact with Zepbound.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
| Drug group or drug name | Drug examples |
| birth control pills | • ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone (Junel, others) • ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone (Yaz, others) |
| insulins | • insulin lispro (Humalog, others) • insulin glargine (Lantus, others) |
| sulfonylureas | • glipizide (Glucotrol XL) • glimepiride (Amaryl) |
| anticoagulants | warfarin (Jantoven) |
If you’re taking a blood thinner like warfarin, your doctor will monitor you closely once you start Zepbound. Zepbound may affect how the body absorbs warfarin, which can become dangerous or stop warfarin from working properly.
Alcohol is not known to interact with Zepbound, so it should be safe to consume it during your Zepbound treatment.
Other drugs are available that can help with weight loss. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Zepbound, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.
The following drugs are alternatives to Zepbound:
Zepbound is a weekly injection that helps adults with obesity or sleep apnea lose weight. It works by reducing your appetite and making you feel full sooner.
Zepbound is meant to be used alongside a healthy diet and increased exercise to help people reach and maintain their weight goal.
The most common side effects are stomach-related, like nausea and diarrhea. In rare cases, it can increase the risk of thyroid tumors and pancreatitis.
Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.