From the Research
If you miss four weeks of Zepbound (tirzepatide), you should contact your healthcare provider immediately for guidance rather than restarting on your own. This recommendation is based on the importance of consistent treatment for optimal weight management and minimizing side effects, as demonstrated in the SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical Trial 1. When considering the management of missed doses, it's crucial to prioritize minimizing gastrointestinal side effects and ensuring the medication's effectiveness. The study by 1 highlights the significance of continued treatment with tirzepatide for maintaining initial weight reduction, with a mean percent weight change from week 36 to week 88 of -5.5% with tirzepatide vs 14.0% with placebo. Key points to consider when restarting Zepbound after a missed period include:
- Do not take double doses to make up for missed injections
- Follow your provider's instructions carefully regarding dosing and timing
- Your doctor might want to reassess your overall treatment plan and may need to monitor you more closely as you resume treatment
- Missing extended periods of Zepbound can affect its effectiveness for weight management, as the medication works best with consistent use, as shown in the study by 1. Additionally, the gradual dose escalation of Zepbound is designed to minimize gastrointestinal side effects, which is why restarting at your previous dose after a long break could cause increased nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, as noted in the study by 2. It's also worth considering the real-world prescription trends and online search activity related to obesity medications, including Zepbound, as analyzed in the study by 3, which demonstrates the growing interest and usage of these medications. However, the primary concern should always be the individual's health and safety, and thus, consulting a healthcare provider for personalized guidance is essential.