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Zepbound® is a prescription medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or in adults with overweight and at least one weight-related health condition.
It’s also approved to treat moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults living with overweight.
Zepbound® belongs to a class of medications that work with the body's natural hormone signals, and among these, it’s the first and only medication to activate both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors.
Because of how it works in the body, Zepbound® can support meaningful, sustained weight reduction, making it a powerful part of a comprehensive care plan for people managing their weight and related health conditions.
Zepbound® is available as a once-weekly injection. Your care team will help determine whether it's the right fit based on your health history, goals, and treatment needs.
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Zepbound® is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. This means it activates two naturally occurring hormone pathways at once.
GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) are hormones released after eating that help regulate blood sugar, appetite, and digestion.
By activating both receptors, Zepbound® works to increase insulin secretion when blood sugar is elevated, reduce glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar), slow the rate at which food leaves the stomach, and reduce hunger signals in the brain.
When appetite signals feel more balanced and cravings are reduced, it can become easier to eat in alignment with your goals. Over time, this supports meaningful, sustained weight loss — especially when combined with nutrition, movement, and ongoing medical care.
Zepbound® works the same way in the body whether it’s taken as an injection or a pill. The main difference is how the medication is taken, which your care team can help you decide.
Zepbound® can be covered by insurance, but it depends on your plan.Insurance coverage for Zepbound® varies by plan, employer, and whether weight management medications are included in your benefits.
Coverage for Zepbound® is most common when prescribed for obesity or overweight with a related health condition, which are FDA-approved indications for the medication.Many commercial plans include Zepbound® on their formulary for weight management, though coverage rules can change over time, and not all plans cover it.
Prior authorization is commonly required. Plans may ask for documentation of a qualifying diagnosis, BMI, and any previous medications tried. Some plans also require step therapy, meaning you might need to try other weight management options first.
knownwell helps patients navigate this process. Our dedicated authorization team can assist with prior benefit verification and next steps, so you understand your coverage options before moving forward.
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With insurance, Zepbound® can cost as little as $0.83 per day ($25 per month) for eligible patients. Actual costs vary based on your plan, benefits, pharmacy, and prescribed dose.
knownwell’s care team helps review your coverage and navigate any required approvals, so you understand your options before starting treatment.
If you’re paying without insurance, cash-pay pricing is available through knownwell:
Pricing varies by formulation and dose. Your care team will review costs with you as part of your plan.
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For eligible commercially insured patients with Zepbound® coverage, using the Lilly Savings Card. Governmental beneficiaries excluded.
Prescribed as part of a personalized medication plan with ongoing support from your knownwell care team.
Clinical studies show that Zepbound® can support substantial, sustained weight reduction for many people when used consistently as part of a broader care plan.
The SURMOUNT-1 72-week clinical trial showed those taking tirzepatide lost an average of 16.0% of their body weight on the 5 mg dose, 21.4% on the 10 mg dose, and 22.5% on the 15 mg dose, compared to 2.4% with placebo. Half of those taking 10 mg and more than half on 15 mg doses lost 20% or more of their body weight.
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Zepbound® has also been shown to improve related cardiometabolic markers, including reductions in blood pressure, cholesterol, and visceral fat in people with obesity.
Changes in appetite and fullness often begin within the first few weeks, with weight changes becoming more noticeable over the following months.
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Common Zepbound® side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach discomfort, especially when starting or increasing the dose. These often improve over time.
Zepbound® isn’t appropriate for everyone. Eligibility is impacted by certain medical conditions, a personal or family history of specific thyroid cancers, or certain endocrine disorders.
Your knownwell care team will review your health history to determine whether Zepbound® is a safe option for you.
Injectable Zepbound® is given as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection, meaning it’s injected just under the skin using a prefilled pen.
The Zepbound® pill is taken each morning, by mouth with about 4 ounces of water, on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything else, or taking other medications.
Injectable Zepbound® is stored in the refrigerator until it’s used. The Zepbound® pill is stored at room temperature.
Your knownwell care team will go over proper storage and handling instructions for your prescription.
Zepbound® is started at a lower dose and increased gradually over time to help the body adjust.
The dosing schedule and final dose depend on whether Zepbound® is prescribed as a pill or an injection, as well as how your body responds.
Your knownwell care team will review your specific dosing plan and make adjustments if needed.
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Meet with a knownwell provider to review your options, discuss whether Zepbound® fits your needs, and get guidance on next steps.
knownwell knows that long-term weight management support is critical. That's why our patients meet with the same clinician throughout their entire time at knownwell.
A closer look at GLP-1 receptor biology, peptide engineering, and metabolic effects
Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound®, is unlike any GLP-1 medication that came before it. It’s a dual incretin receptor agonist, engineered to simultaneously activate both the GIP receptor and the GLP-1 receptor, the two primary hormonal pathways involved in regulating appetite, insulin secretion, and blood sugar.
Natural GIP and GLP-1 are incretin hormones released from the gut after eating. While GLP-1 medications (like semaglutide) target only the GLP-1 pathway, tirzepatide was engineered from the native GIP sequence to bind both receptors, allowing it to work through two complementary mechanisms rather than one.
Tirzepatide is modified to:
This dual-receptor design is what distinguishes Zepbound® from single-pathway GLP-1 medications and has been associated with greater weight reductions in clinical trials.
GLP-1 receptors are expressed in brain regions involved in appetite and energy regulation, including the hypothalamus and brainstem. GIP receptors are also found in areas of the brain associated with satiety and reward signaling.When tirzepatide activates both receptor types, it:
Tirzepatide's actions on blood sugar are glucose-dependent, meaning it:
Additional systemic effects include:
Talk with your provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or breastfeed, or have a history of:
Some side effects require prompt medical attention, including:
Your knownwell care team will review your health history, medications, and safety considerations before prescribing Zepbound® and will continue to support you throughout treatment.
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Get started with weight management care at knownwell.
