How much weight can I lose on Zepbound?
The specific amount of weight you might lose from Zepbound is uncertain, but significant weight loss ranging from 35.5 lb (16.1 kg) to 52.0 lb (23.6 kg) was observed in the 72-week SURMOUNT-1 clinical trial, which compared different Zepbound (tirzepatide) doses to a placebo (inactive treatment). Zepbound is administered once a week through subcutaneous injection, with doses of 5mg, 10mg, and 15mg tested in the trial.
Participants in the trial had to meet specific criteria: a body-mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related complication (e.g., high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease). They had to be adults over 18 who had previously attempted diet-based weight loss unsuccessfully. No other weight-loss medications were allowed for 90 days before the trial. Individuals with diabetes or a history of planned or previous obesity surgery were ineligible for the SURMONT-1 trial.
The 72-week results for Zepbound (efficacy estimand) for this trial were as follows:
- 5mg/week Zepbound: 16% weight loss or an average reduction of 35.5 lb (16.1 kg)
- 10mg/week Zepbound: 21.4% weight loss or an average reduction of 48.9 lb (22 kg)
- 15mg/week Zepbound: 22.5% weight loss or an average reduction of 52 lb (23.6 kg)
- Placebo: 2.4% weight loss or an average reduction of 5.3 lb (2.4 kg).
After 72 weeks, 85% to 91% of those on Zepbound achieved a body weight reduction of 5% or more, compared to only 35% on placebo. Common side effects included mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, vomiting, and COVID-19 infection.
Notably, 4.3% of those on 5mg/week Zepbound discontinued treatment due to side effects, compared to 7.1% on 10mg/week and 6.2% on 15mg/week. It's important to remember that clinical trial data may not represent the general population, and individual factors can vary significantly. Always seek personalized medical advice for your specific healthcare decisions.
Zepbound is used for weight reduction in adults with obesity, or for severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults who are obese.
Related questions
References
- Jastreboff, AM, Aronne, LJ, Ahmad, NN, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med 2022; 387:205-216 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
- Zepbound Prescribing Information https://uspl.lilly.com/zepbound/zepbound.html#pi
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