What to Know About Zepbound, the New Weight Loss Drug

The FDA’s approval of the weight loss drug tirzepatide, branded as Zepbound, is a major step forward in the fight against obesity. Zepbound is the second drug in a new class of obesity medications to be approved, and it is likely the most effective treatment besides bariatric surgery.

Zepbound contains the same compound as the popular diabetes drug Mounjaro, which many people have been using off-label for weight loss. The new approval could pave the way for insurance coverage and increased availability of Zepbound, making it a more accessible option for people with obesity.

“It’s very similar to what we went through with Ozempic,” said Dr. Andrew Kraftson, a clinical associate professor in the division of metabolism, endocrinology and diabetes at Michigan Medicine, noting that demand for weight loss medications has hit a “fever pitch.” Now, he said, patients will likely be clamoring for this new drug. Here’s what to know.

Zepbound is a weight loss drug approved by the FDA for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or a BMI of 27 or greater plus at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure. Zepbound should be used in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.