If you take Zepbound, a doctor or another healthcare professional will likely give you the first dose in their office. Then, they’ll show you or someone else how to inject Zepbound at home. Here’s how.

Zepbound is used for weight loss or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in certain adults. Zepbound is a liquid solution that comes in two forms:

  • prefilled, single-dose injector pens
  • single-dose vials that are used with a syringe

Zepbound is given as an injection under your skin. Keep reading to learn how and where to inject Zepbound, tips for injecting the drug properly, and more.

With either form of Zepbound, you have three options for injection sites:

  • your outer thigh
  • your abdomen (at least 2 inches away from your belly button)
  • the back of your upper arm

If you want to inject a dose into your upper arm, someone else will need to give the injection.

Is there a preferred injection site for best results?

One injection site isn’t better than the others when using Zepbound. Your body will absorb the drug the same way regardless of which area you inject it into. You can choose the injection site you feel most comfortable with.

If you’re having trouble injecting into a soft area (such as your abdomen), you can try a firmer location such as your thigh. Or you can try standing up while injecting into your abdomen so your skin will be more taut.

If you’re not sure which injection site might be best for you to try first, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

You’ll inject a dose of Zepbound once per week, on the same day each week. You can inject your dose at any time of day. Your dose can be given with or without food.

Before you begin using Zepbound at home, you or the person who will give your injections should make sure you feel comfortable doing so. Your doctor or pharmacist can answer any questions you have before you get started.

Even if you feel nervous about injecting Zepbound yourself, you’ll likely start to feel more comfortable over time, once you’ve had some practice. (But if that’s not the case, talk with the healthcare professional who prescribed the drug. They can discuss your options with you.)

The manufacturer’s website also provides step-by-step written instructions and videos about how to use both the pen and vial forms of Zepbound.

Here are some general tips for injecting Zepbound:

  • Before injecting, check the expiration date and the color of the liquid: The solution should look clear and either colorless or slightly yellow. Do not use it if you can see floating particles or if the liquid looks cloudy or frozen. And do not use it if the drug is past its expiration date. Instead, dispose of it safely.
  • Rotate your injection site each week: This helps reduce your risk of injection site reactions such as bruising, itching, or skin rash. You can choose to always inject into the same area of your body, such as your abdomen, but you should rotate the exact spot you’re injecting into.
  • Avoid injecting Zepbound into skin that’s tender, bruised, scaly, hard, or damaged: This helps lower your risk of an injection site reaction. Also, injecting the drug into skin that’s bruised or damaged could cause an infection or prevent your body from properly absorbing the drug.

Your doctor or pharmacist may have additional tips to help you use Zepbound effectively.

Zepbound is available as an injector pen or in a vial that’s used with a syringe. The drug comes in several strengths, ranging from 2.5 milligrams (mg) to 15 mg. Your doctor will determine which form and strength are right for you.

Zepbound is typically used once per week. For either weight loss or OSA, your starting dosage will likely be 2.5 mg injected once per week for 4 weeks.

After that, the usual maintenance (long-term) dosage for weight loss is 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg injected once per week. For OSA, the maintenance dosage will likely be 10 mg or 15 mg injected once per week.

The maximum dosage of Zepbound for either of its uses is 15 mg injected once per week.

Zepbound is administered as an injection under the skin, typically once a week. After your doctor or another healthcare professional gives your first dose in their office, you or someone else will likely be able to give your injections at home.

Your doctor can show you or the other person how to properly inject the drug. The drug manufacturer also provides written instructions and videos to guide you.

If you ever have questions or need more instruction on how to inject Zepbound, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.