Zepbound is a prescription drug used to help manage weight loss in certain adults. It can also be used to treat obstructive sleep apenea in adults who are obese.
Weight loss with Zepbound may vary person to person. Read on to learn more about average weight loss with Zepbound and what to expect in the first month of treatment.
Two studies in the SURMOUNT trials looked at weight loss in people using tirzepatide for 72 weeks, or 18 months. (Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in Zepbound.) Tirzepatide was used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Both studies included people who are overweight or obese, but study 1 did not include people with diabetes while study 2 included people with type 2 diabetes. Below is a chart of the percentage of body weight lost based on dose for both studies.
| Study 1 | Study 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo | 3.1% | 3.2% |
| 5 milligrams (mg) tirazeptaide | 15% | – |
| 10 mg tirazepatide | 19.5% | 12.8% |
| 15 mg tirazepatide | 20.9% | 14.7% |
Some people may notice a small amount of weight loss within 4 weeks. But, most studies looking at weight loss with Zepbound have reported results after longer periods of time, such as 52 or 72 weeks.
It takes about 4 weeks for Zepbound to reach a steady concentration in your blood. You will typically start at a dose of 2.5 mg of Zepbound once weekly for 4 weeks. If you are tolerating the drug well, your doctor will likely recommend increasing your initial weekly dose. Based on some studies, higher doses of Zepbound may lead to a higher percentage of body weight lost.
Zepbound is a prescription drug that can be used to help manage weight loss. Some people may be able to lose up to 20% of their body weight while using Zepbound. But, weight loss can vary depending on dose as well as from person to person.
If you have questions about Zepbound and weight loss, talk with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.