What Zepbound is
Zepbound contains tirzepatide and is made by Eli Lilly. Approved November 8, 2023; sleep apnea indication added December 20, 2024.
FDA-approved for
- Long-term weight reduction (adults)
- Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity
Dosing
Weekly injection (vial or KwikPen). 2.5 mg for 4 weeks, then 5 mg, rising in 2.5 mg steps at least 4 weeks apart to a maximum of 15 mg. Your clinician sets the pace, and it is common to stay at a dose longer if side effects are hard to manage.
How well it works
In SURMOUNT-1, people lost 15.0% (5 mg), 19.5% (10 mg) and 20.9% (15 mg) of body weight on average over 72 weeks, vs 3.1% on placebo. These are averages from clinical trials; your results may be different.
Zepbound cost
$299 (2.5 mg), $399 (5 mg) and $449 (7.5 to 15 mg, if you refill within 45 days) a month self-pay at LillyDirect. If your commercial insurance covers it, the manufacturer savings card can bring the cost down to as little as $25 a month. For every price option, read How much does Zepbound cost in 2026?. For the steps, read How to get Zepbound online in 2026.
Common side effects
Stomach-related side effects are the most common, especially while the dose is going up. Percentages show people on the medication vs placebo in the label trials.
Scroll sideways to see the full table
| Side effect | Wegovy 2.4 mg | Zepbound 5–15 mg | Foundayo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 44% vs 16% | 25–29% vs 8% | 26–35% vs 10% |
| Diarrhea | 30% vs 16% | 19–23% vs 8% | 21–25% vs 11% |
| Vomiting | 24% vs 6% | 8–13% vs 2% | 13–24% vs 4% |
| Constipation | 24% vs 11% | 11–17% vs 5% | 20–27% vs 9% |
| Abdominal pain | 20% vs 10% | 9–10% vs 5% | 13–14% vs 7% |
| Fatigue | 11% vs 5% | 5–7% vs 3% | 6–9% vs 4% |
| Hair loss | 3% vs 1% | 4–5% vs 1% | 4–5% vs 2% |
Source: Wegovy (rev. 06/2026), Zepbound (rev. 08/2026) and Foundayo (rev. 07/2026) prescribing information.
Safety: GLP-1 medications carry a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors and are not for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. Labels also warn about pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, low blood sugar with some diabetes drugs, kidney problems from dehydration and severe stomach problems. Talk to a licensed clinician about your history.
Legal status: Prescription only; FDA-approved.