What is Zepbound (tirzepatide) used for?
Zepbound® is an FDA-approved medication for weight loss in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30+ kg/m2 or 27+ kg/m2 with weight related medical problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol in combination with a low calorie diet and increased physical activity. Zepbound is also approved to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
It is a dual GLP-1/GIP* receptor agonist, this means it activates two different hormone receptors in the body that work together to help with weight loss and metabolism. Zepbound stimulates the release of insulin by the pancreas which lowers blood sugar levels, slows down how quickly food leaves the stomach, decreases appetite, promotes feeling of fullness and improves how the body uses insulin. In clinical trials, patients lost at least 5% of their body weight after 3 months with a combination of Zepbound and intensive lifestyle changes. When these individuals took Zepbound for up to a year and a half, they lost an average of 26.6% of their body weight.
*glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)
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Lauren Lemieux, MD, FACP, DABOM
Dr. Lauren Lemieux completed her Internal Medicine residency and fellowship in Clinical Nutrition at UCLA. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, and as a Physician Nutrition Specialist. She is also a fellow of the American College of Physicians. Dr. Lemieux is passionate about helping her patients reach their health goals using personalized nutrition, lifestyle and weight management strategies.
