From the Guidelines
Zepbound (tirzepatide) is expected to result in a weight loss of approximately 20.9% of initial body weight at the highest dose, as demonstrated in a recent RCT published in JAMA 1. The weight loss achieved with tirzepatide is dose-dependent, with the 15 mg dose resulting in a mean weight loss of 20.9%, the 10 mg dose resulting in a mean weight loss of 19.5%, and the 5 mg dose resulting in a mean weight loss of 15.0% over 72 weeks of treatment, compared to a 3.1% weight loss in the placebo group 1. Key factors contributing to the effectiveness of tirzepatide include:
- Dual-hormone agonistic activity at the GLP-1 receptor and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor
- Weekly subcutaneous dosing
- Combination with lifestyle modifications, such as reduced-calorie diet and physical activity The medication's mechanism of action, which includes reducing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness, and slowing gastric emptying, contributes to its weight loss effects. In comparison to other weight loss medications, tirzepatide has been shown to be more effective, with a recent meta-analysis demonstrating greater weight loss compared to semaglutide and liraglutide 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Tirzepatide lowers fasting and postprandial glucose concentration, decreases food intake, and reduces body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The expected weight loss from Zepbound (tirzepatide) is not explicitly stated in the provided drug label. However, it is mentioned that tirzepatide reduces body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- The exact amount of weight loss is not specified.
- The drug label does mention that tirzepatide decreases food intake, which may contribute to weight loss.
- However, without explicit information on the expected weight loss, a conservative clinical decision would be to consult additional resources or the prescribing information for more detailed information 2.
From the Research
Expected Weight Loss from Zepbound (Tirzepatide)
- The expected weight loss from Zepbound (tirzepatide) can be substantial, with studies showing a mean percent change in body weight ranging from -12.3% to -20.9% compared to -1.3% to -3.1% with placebo 3, 4.
- A 72-week trial showed that 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg of tirzepatide once weekly provided substantial and sustained reductions in body weight, with mean percentage changes of -15.0%, -19.5%, and -20.9%, respectively 4.
- Another study found that tirzepatide at 5-15 mg per week reduced body weight by 5.4-11.7 kg, with 20.7 to 68.4% of patients losing more than 10% of their baseline body weight 5.
- The SURMOUNT-3 phase 3 trial showed that tirzepatide provided substantial additional reduction in body weight in participants who had achieved ≥5.0% weight reduction with intensive lifestyle intervention, with a mean percent weight change of -18.4% compared to 2.5% with placebo 6.
- Overall, the weight loss effects of tirzepatide are significant, with some studies showing reductions of more than 20% of baseline body weight 4, 5, 7.