What to know about Zepbound, the newest weight loss drug

A new weight loss jab that rivals Ozempic is promising to be the most effective obesity-fighting drugs. Here’s how it works.

A newly approved weight loss drug is promising to be the most effective medication yet — even more than Ozempic and Wegovy.

In November, Zepbound joined the list of obesity-fighting drugs after it was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA previously approved a related drug called Mounjaro, which is made from the same active ingredient in Zepbound – tirzepatide. However, Mounjaro was only available to people with Type 2 diabetes.

With Zepbound joining the newest addition to the weight loss drug arena, here is everything you need to know.

WHAT IS ZEPBOUND?

Zepbound is the brand name for the drug tirzepatide which doctors prescribe for weight loss, while Mounjaro is the name of the medication when it’s used to treat diabetes.

Both Zepbound and Mounjaro are brand names for the generic drug, tirzepatide.

The key to Zepbound’s weight loss potential is its active ingredient, tirzepatide. This is the same active ingredient found in the drug Mounjaro, which is approved to treat Type 2 diabetes.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Zepbound is an injectable medication that patients need to use once a week, and comes in three doses: 5, 10 and 15 milligrams.

So far, Zepbound, Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy are all injections.

The drug in Ozempic and Wegovy, semaglutide, is also available in a pill form for Type 2 diabetes called Rybelsus, and doesn’t cause as much weight loss.

Zepbound and Mounjaro is similar to two other popular drugs making headlines, Wegovy and Ozempic. Both Wegovy and Ozempic contain the active ingredient semaglutide, with Wegovy approved for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and Ozempic approved for the treatment of obesity.

The drug called Mounjaro — which uses active ingredient tirzepatide — is commonly used to treat Type-2 diabetes.

Tirzepatide works by mimicking two different hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, which the body produces after eating. The first helps curb appetite and reduce how much someone eats, while the second works to improve how the body breaks down sugar and fat.

Mounjaro is used to treat Type-2 diabetes. Picture: Getty Images

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?

Zepbound can cause side effects such as:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting and constipation
• Stomach discomfort and pain
• Injection site reactions
• Fatigue
• Hypersensitivity and allergic reactions (typically fever and rash)
• Burping
• Hair loss and gastroesophageal reflux disease

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR ZEPBOUND?

The FDA approved Zepbound for adults ages 18 and older in the US and are dealing with obesity or are overweight and have additional weight-related health challenges.

Zepbound – just like Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic – is a prescription medication.

IS ZEPBOUND AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA?

Eli Lilly, which is based in the US, makes Zepbound and Mounjaro, while Novo Nordisk makes Wegovy and Ozempic in Denmark.

At this point there is no confirmed release date for Zepbound in Australia.

Currently, Zepbound is still awaiting registration with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Before being made available in Australia, Zepbound manufacturer Eli Lilly will need to gain approval from the TGA and secure enough stock to adequately and consistently meet demand in the Australian market.

Ozempic, the controversial weight loss drug.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ZEPBOUND, OZEMPIC AND WEGOVY?

Zepbound, Ozempic and Wegovy are part of a new class of weight loss medications that are shaking up treatment of obesity and diabetes.

They’re also sparking drug shortages around the world since demand for the drugs is so high.

Many people – including those who don’t have obesity or medical conditions associated with being overweight – have been clamouring to get the medications because they are powerful appetite suppressants and work so much better than previous generations of weight loss drugs.

Zepbound and Mounjaro are basically the same drug, but they’re approved for different medical conditions: Zepbound for weight loss and Mounjaro for diabetes.

Similarly, Wegovy and Ozempic are the same drug, but with different names and different doses for different conditions. Wegovy is the name of the drug as it’s prescribed for weight loss.

Ozempic is the name of the drug as it’s used for diabetes. The generic name for Wegovy and Ozempic is semaglutide.

Originally published as What to know about Zepbound, the newest weight loss drug