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How long does it take for Zepbound to work?

Medically reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD. Last updated on July 12, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

In clinical studies submitted to the FDA for approval, patients lost weight during the first 4 weeks of taking Zepbound (tirzepatide). How quickly you lose weight on Zepbound depends on various factors, including your starting weight, the dose you are taking, diet, and physical activity level.

What is Zepbound used for?

Zepbound is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It’s injected under the skin once a week in addition to diet and exercise for long-term weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of:

  • 30 kg/m2 or more, or
  • 27 kg/m2 or more and at least one weight-related health condition (e.g., high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea)

Does Zepbound work immediately?

You won’t notice weight-loss effects from Zepbound right away. After injecting a dose of Zepbound, it reaches maximum levels in your body between 8 and 72 hours. This suggests that the medication can start to work the same day after taking a dose to suppress your appetite. However, your healthcare provider will need to slowly titrate your dose up to the most effective dose of Zepbound. They will start you on a low dose (2.5 mg) for the first 4 weeks of treatment. This dose is meant to get your body used to the medication. After 4 weeks, your dose will be raised to 5 mg once weekly. The recommended maintenance doses of Zepbound are 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg.

Zepbound works by affecting your appetite, which helps you eat less calories. Therefore, it will take some time to lose weight. The amount of time it takes to lose weight while taking Zepbound will be different for each individual person. This is because how quickly you lose weight from Zepbound depends on factors like eating habits and how much physical activity you are getting.

Related questions

When is the best time to take the Zepbound shot?

According to the manufacturer, Zepbound can be injected at any time of the day. The time of day shouldn’t affect how well the medication works for you because it has a long half-life, which means it stays in your body for a long time. Make sure to inject it once a week on the same day every week. You can inject Zepbound with or without food.

References

Jastreboff, A. M., et. al. (2022). Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. In: The New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2206038

Jensen, T. L. ,et. Al. (2024). The Body weight Reducing Effects of Tirzepatide in People with and without Type 2 Diabetes: A Review on Efficacy and Adverse Effects. In: Patient Preference and Adherence. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147%2FPPA.S419304

Zepbound [package insert]. (Updated March 2024). Eli Lilly and Company. Accessed 07/12/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=487cd7e7-434c-4925-99fa-aa80b1cc776b

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How do Zepbound and Wegovy compare?

Zepbound and Wegovy are two FDA-approved weight loss medications with similar side effects. Research is ongoing to determine whether patients lose more weight with Zepbound or Wegovy. In clinical trials, adults taking Zepbound lost more weight compared to adults who took Wegovy in separate studies. Continue reading

Is Zepbound covered by insurance?

To find out if Zepbound is covered by your insurance, call and ask about your formulary drug benefits and copay or check the website. Your plan phone number is located on the back of your insurance card. Eli Lilly also offers a $25 copay savings card for patients with commercial insurance. Continue reading

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