Our team of healthcare professionals at VIVA Wellness is constantly researching scientific breakthroughs that have the potential to benefit our clients. We were ecstatic when we learned about Zepbound! This is one of the newest weight loss drugs on the market that we are adding to our wellness protocol options.
Eli Lilly’s new injectable drug, Zepbound, has been given the green light by the FDA to combat chronic obesity. It uses the active ingredient tirzepatide, which has already proven successful in treating type 2 diabetes under the brand name Mounjaro.
Our expert Nurse Practitioners at VIVA Wellness have begun using the brand name or compounded generic versions of this medication as part of a holistic weight loss protocol for many of our Southeast Wisconsin patients. These drugs have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in managing both diabetes and obesity for clients who have struggled elsewhere. We’re hopeful that our medical weight loss protocol may be your long-awaited solution, too!
Since Zepbound is so new, many clients have questions about exactly what it is and how it works. Here, we explain what you need to know about using Zepbound for weight loss.
What Is Zepbound?
The Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help qualifying patients lose weight. This revolutionary medication is designed for adults struggling with obesity or who are overweight and also suffer from weight-related conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Developed by the renowned drugmaker Eli Lilly, Zepbound belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 agonists, which have recently become incredibly popular in the U.S. In fact, Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy and Lilly’s Mounjaro fall under the same category.
For individuals with diabetes, the brand names Ozempic and Mounjaro are prescribed to manage blood sugar levels. On the other hand, Wegovy and Zepbound are designed specifically for those without diabetes but are at risk of health complications due to excess weight.
Clinical trials have proven the remarkable effectiveness of Zepbound, with participants experiencing an average weight loss of 52 pounds. These results rival the level achieved through bariatric surgery. The compounded version of the active ingredient, tirzepatide, has shown equally as astounding results for many people.
How Does Zepbound Work?
Tirzepatide functions as both a gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. By stimulating insulin release from the pancreas, tirzepatide effectively reduces hyperglycemia. It also increases levels of adiponectin, a hormone regulating blood sugar, and curbs appetite.
Tirzepatide quickly enters the bloodstream and reaches peak serum levels anywhere from 8 to 72 hours after administration. Once injected, tirzepatide has a half-life of 5 days, enabling convenient once-weekly dosing. It is primarily eliminated through urine and feces in the form of metabolites.
With the combined action of GIP and GLP-1 receptors, Zepbound effectively supports weight loss by reducing gastric emptying and promoting a prolonged feeling of fullness. In layman’s terms: it helps you feel fuller longer and reduces appetite and cravings, which means you eat less throughout the day and shed pounds.
Who can use Zepbound for weight loss?
Zepbound is designed to complement a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults with certain body mass index (BMI) levels.
Whether you’re dealing with obesity (a BMI of 30 or greater) or are overweight (a BMI of 27 or greater) with weight-related conditions like hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease, Zepbound is formulated to help you achieve your ideal weight.
However, not everyone is a good candidate. While Zepbound is life-changing for many, it may also have potential risks for certain patients. One of these risks is the development of thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. Keeping an eye out for symptoms like neck lumps, swelling, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath is crucial. If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention.
To ensure your safety, your VIVA Wellness NP will avoid Zepbound if you or any of your family members have a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Additionally, if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to tirzepatide or any of the ingredients in Zepbound, it’s best to steer clear. This is part of the reason VIVA Wellness takes the time to get to know you thoroughly and ensure you receive the best medication for your body.
What are the side effects of Zepbound?
Just like other weight loss drugs, Zepbound has the potential for side effects. Some common side effects of Zepbound include swelling, redness, and itching at the injection site, as well as fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, or constipation. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your VIVA Wellness NP promptly so we can work to minimize your discomfort. We proactively mitigate many of the common side effects, like nausea, so you don’t experience them in the first place.
Rest assured that many individuals who use this medication do not experience serious side effects. However, if you do encounter any serious side effects, such as unrelenting nausea or vomiting, or severe stomach or abdominal pain, seek immediate medical assistance as these may be signs of pancreas or gallbladder problems.
While tirzepatide typically does not cause low blood sugar on its own, combining it with other diabetes medications may increase this risk. Discuss the dosage of your other diabetes medications with your NP during your consultation. Additionally, factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, insufficient calorie intake, or strenuous exercise can also lead to low blood sugar. Be aware of symptoms such as sweating, shaking, rapid heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, headache, or tingling extremities.
While severe allergic reactions to the weight loss drug Zepbound are rare, seek immediate medical help if you notice any signs, such as rash, itching, or swelling (especially of the face, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing.
How Much Does Zepbound Cost?
The list price of Zepbound is $1,060 for a 28-day supply. However, insurance and manufacturer savings can bring the cost down even further. Many pharmacies in the Waukesha and Milwaukee areas that offer Zepbound at a discounted price.
We understand that not all insurance plans cover weight-loss medications. Those with commercial insurance may qualify for the manufacturer’s savings program. Unfortunately, government-sponsored insurance like Medicare and Medicaid does not qualify for this program.
If cost is a concern for you, don’t worry. VIVA Wellness has you covered with our compounded tirzepatide, a generic version of Mounjaro and Zepbound. It has the same active ingredient, delivering the same amazing weight loss results with a more attainable price tag.
Please note that the prices mentioned do not include the additional cost of our VIVA Wellness weight loss protocol, which includes nurse support, progress monitoring, and other services designed to boost your success.
How much weight do people lose with Zepbound?
In a groundbreaking trial, adults with obesity experienced an average weight reduction of 19.5% and 20.9% with tirzepatide doses of 10-mg and 15-mg, respectively. These findings are truly remarkable compared to a mere 3.1% weight reduction with a placebo.
Notably, previous clinical trials with older obesity treatment medications have not shown such significant weight loss results. This suggests that tirzepatide may help you lose excess weight even if you have not had success in the past.
Traditionally, a body-weight reduction of 5% or more has been considered clinically meaningful for improving metabolic health. Substantial weight reductions of 10% or more, 15% or more, and 20% or more yield additional clinical benefits, improve weight-related complications, and are often desired therapeutic goals. Encouragingly, a significant proportion of participants (reaching 78-84%, 67-71%, and 50-57%, respectively) across the 10-mg and 15-mg dose groups met these ambitious weight-loss targets.
What’s the difference between Zepbound, Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy?
These relatively new weight loss drugs act as powerful appetite suppressants, not only for those with diabetes and related health conditions but also for individuals looking to shed pounds. They outperform previous generations of weight loss drugs, making them highly sought after, even causing nationwide shortages.
Although Zepbound and Mounjaro are essentially the same drug, they are approved for different medical conditions. Zepbound is intended for weight management, while Mounjaro is used for diabetes.
Similarly, Wegovy and Ozempic are variations of the same drug, semaglutide, with different names and doses for different conditions. Wegovy is prescribed for weight loss, while Ozempic is used to treat diabetes.
Zepbound and Mounjaro (known as tirzepatide) have distinct mechanisms compared to Ozempic and Wegovy (known as semaglutide). Also, these drugs are manufactured by different companies. Eli Lilly produces Zepbound and Mounjaro, while Novo Nordisk makes Wegovy and Ozempic. Eli Lilly is an American company, while Novo Nordisk is based in Denmark.
Although these drugs work in similar ways to suppress appetite, Zepbound and Mounjaro are classified as “dual-agonist” drugs, while Wegovy and Ozempic are classified as “single-agonist” drugs. They activate different hormone pathways in the body.
These drugs stimulate glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) hormones, which contribute to controlling blood sugar levels and reducing appetite, ultimately leading to weight loss.
How long do I need to stay on Zepbound injections? Will I gain the weight back?
Zepbound is not a short-term solution. You did not get to your current health situation overnight, and your journey towards total wellness is enduring. Obesity is a chronic disease for many people, and just like any other chronic condition, may require continuous treatment.
A study by Eli Lilly showed that participants who took Zepbound for 88 weeks experienced more significant weight reduction than those who stopped at 36 weeks. Even those who switched to a placebo gained back some weight but still maintained a 9.5% weight loss. In the long run, they regained about half of the initial weight they had lost over a year. This means they still had a significant net long-term loss.
While many patients are hesitant about continuing medication indefinitely, it’s important to note that these medications often lead to improved overall health. Some patients have even been able to stop taking other medications for conditions like diabetes and hypertension. In the end, staying on anti-obesity medications may actually reduce the overall number of medications needed. Also, with supportive services from VIVA Wellness, your chances of regaining body weight are significantly lowered.
VIVA Wellness Zepbound Weight Loss Protocol
Zepbound is just one piece of your holistic health puzzle. With our unique weekly treatment protocol, you can experience steady, sustainable results. Everyone’s protocol is uniquely tailored to their body. However, some of the basics will be the same.
Zepbound is injected into the abdomen, arm, or thigh, and is often combined with other supportive items like oral supplements and intramuscular injections.
Our dedicated NPs make the experience easier by automatically prescribing anti-nausea relief and supplements that support your metabolic health and detoxification pathways. Our weekly check-ins allow us to adjust based on real-time feedback from your body and overall experience. This plan is all about you and your body.
We recommend you combine our treatment with colonics, lymphatic drainage, and cavitation for a profound jump-start. The drug is even more effective when we support the whole body system, and you’ll see better results.
You can expect the following with our protocols for chronic weight management:
- A thorough consultation with our experienced Weight Loss Nurse Practitioners to understand your health history, goals, and mental/emotional needs.
- Weekly progress check-ins for support, accountability, body mass index monitoring, medication injections, and side-effect mitigation if necessary.
- Access to in-house services like colon hydrotherapy, infrared sauna, and lymphatic drainage treatments, which not only help with side effect support but also enhance the effectiveness of the medications by supporting your overall body functions. A healthier system will more easily release excess body weight.
- Access to a network of trusted practitioners who can provide additional support for issues beyond the scope of our in-house protocol—whether it’s eastern/functional medicine, acupuncture, reiki, or other services.
Why Choose VIVA Wellness Brookfield
You have many options for medical weight loss in Milwaukee, so we invite you to explore our unique integrative and holistic health approach. At VIVA Wellness, we don’t just manage symptoms. We walk with you to discover the root cause of your health challenges. You hold the key to unlocking your true potential, and we’re here to guide you with creative and compassionate solutions.
VIVA Wellness is not the typical clinic setting. While we are certified medical professionals, our tranquil and calming atmosphere provides a safe haven for healing. From cozy couches to soothing music and essential oils, every touch point is designed with your comfort and success in mind.
You are unique, with your own history and goals for the future. We aren’t here to tell you what your health goals should be. Instead, our caring team is here to listen to your story and cheer you on in your journey forward, using our supportive services along the way. If you are interested in Zepbound or any of our other services, please reach out today to schedule a consultation. Your healthy self is waiting!