Dr. Jaiwant Rangi explains Zepbound, a new once-weekly injectable for weight loss that works on two hormone receptors. Clinical trials show up to 21% total body weight loss, though it costs roughly $1,000 per month and most insurance doesn't cover it yet. The drug requires ongoing use and can cause nausea and other gastrointestinal side effects.
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Hello everyone. Welcome to Upstream Diabetes where we bring you the latest insights in the world of diabetes and metabolic health. Today we've got some groundbreaking information about a newly approved weight loss drug called zepbound. I am Dr. Renge and we are diving deep into the details to answer your warning questions. Zeb Bound was recently approved by FDA and has made its debut available in pharmacies now. And we have started prescribing it as well. This innovative weight loss drug is making a lot of buzz because of potentially revolutionizing the weight loss results. Let's delve into the understanding of Zeb Bound, its comparison with its counter medications like Vigovy or Zempic and explore the potential it holds in reducing the cost for the patients. So what is Zepbound? Zepbound is a brand name for drug Tirzepatide. Tirzepatide. When prescribed for weight loss, it's called Zebant. When given for diabetes, Tirzepatide is called Mounjaro. Unlike traditional weight loss pills, Zeb Bound is an injectable medication that patients use once a week. But how does Zeb Bound work? It operates by suppressing the appetite, making users feel fuller and altering the rate at which the stomach empties. It is a dual agonist approach that sets apart ZEB boundaries activating two kinds of receptors called GLP1 and GIP pathways contributing to the substantial weight loss. Now let's look at the clinical trial results. Clinical trials have shown impressive results with participants experiencing as much as 21% of body weight loss. And for those without diabetes using highest dose of zeppelin and average weight loss was around 18%. So for somebody who's 200 pounds that could be close to 36 pounds that they can lose. For somebody with 300 pounds they can lose close to 54 pounds. However, it's crucial to note that individuals with diabetes tend to lose slightly less averaging around 12% compared to 18% of the counterparts people who have no diabetes. Now let's talk about how Zeb Bound stacks up against Mounjaro, Vigovy and Ozempic. These drugs belong to new class of weight loss medications that are revolutionizing obesity and diabetes treatment. Zeb Bound and Mounjaro both Tirzepatide based functions of dual agonist drug where there are two peptides like we talked about. While Vigovy and Ozempic are based on Semaglutide that is a single agonist drug. Is it worth mentioning the manufacturers and the competition? Zeb Bound and Mounjaro are manufactured by Eli Lilly and Vigovi and Ozempic are manufactured by Novo Nordisk. Now this competition among pharmaceutical companies is anticipated to drive down the high costs associated with the medication. Now, speaking of cost, the listing price of zeb Bound is $1,000 per month and currently most health insurance companies do not cover the weight loss drugs. However, experts hope that increased competition will eventually lead to reduced prices, making these medications more accessible to those in need. Now let's talk about side effects. Users of Zeb Bound, Mounjaro, Vigovy and Ozempic may experience common GI side effects such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal discomfort. It's essential to note that these side effects vary among individuals, with many tolerating the medications very well at the highest dose and others get side effects from the least or the starting dose. Now, before considering zepbound, there are several factors to consider. While it shows promise in facilitating significant weight loss, patients may need to continue using the medications this medication indefinitely to maintain the weight loss. Additionally, Zeb Bound is expensive, may have supply chain issues and like other weight loss drugs, possesses potential for risk of GI issues or rare thyroid C cell tumors. Now who can we prescribe it to? Who is eligible to get Zepbound? FDA has approved Zepbound for adults age 18 and older dealing with obesity or overweight with a body mass index of 27 and above, coupled with weight related health challenges such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or type 2 diabetes. However, it's crucial to consult your doctor to determine suitability. Looking ahead, the future weight loss drugs seem promising with more combination peptides and even triple agonist coming up soon. It's in development. The landscape of obesity treatment is evolving that wraps our deep dive in zepbound and latest edition of the Weight Loss Medication List. Remember, making informed decision about your health is crucial and if you are considering zepbound or similar drugs, consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice. Thank you for joining us in upstream diabetes and until next time, stay, stay healthy. Thank you.
