Overview
Zepbound is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity. Treatment with Zepbound is intended to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It is not recommended to use Zepbound in combination with other drugs containing tirzepatide or any other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Zepbound is also known by its drug name, tirzepatide.

Zepbound belongs to a class of drugs known as GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists. It helps regulate appetite, improve metabolic function, and reduce body weight by mimicking natural hormones that influence insulin secretion and digestion. In people with OSA and obesity, weight loss achieved with Zepbound may reduce the severity of sleep apnea symptoms.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Zepbound is administered as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection once weekly. Treatment usually begins with a lower dose that is gradually increased over time until the appropriate maintenance dose is reached. Zepbound should be taken exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Zepbound include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, dyspepsia (indigestion), injection site reactions, fatigue, allergic reactions, eructation (belching), hair loss, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (symptoms of acid reflux).

Rare but serious side effects may include thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (a rare form of thyroid cancer), especially in individuals with a personal or family history of such tumors or those with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). 

Other serious risks include severe gastrointestinal problems, acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), gallbladder disease, kidney injury due to dehydration, serious allergic reactions, low blood sugar (especially when used with insulin), worsening of diabetic eye disease, depression or suicidal thoughts, and pulmonary aspiration during surgery. Zepbound is not recommended during pregnancy.

For more information about this treatment, visit:

Zepbound — Tirzepatide Injection, Solution — Eli Lilly and Company