Zepbound®
Tirzepatide
Please note: Zepbound is not available on the Dutch market. This page is for informational purposes only.
What is Zepbound?
Zepbound is a prescription medicine with the active ingredient tirzepatide, used in weight management treatment. By stimulating the natural production of insulin in the body, blood sugar levels are lowered. In addition, it stimulates fat burning and influences appetite. The medication has been approved by the FDA in the United States, but will not enter the Dutch market. In the Netherlands, Mounjaro is prescribed. This medicine works, just like Zepbound, based on tirzepatide.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound, is an incretin mimetic that mimics the action of 2 different incretin hormones. These hormones have various effects. They lower fasting glucose levels and stimulate insulin release after meals. This helps regulate blood sugar. Furthermore, it slows gastric emptying, acts on appetite in the brain, and stimulates fat burning, contributing to weight loss.
Buying Zepbound
Zepbound is a prescription medication available only in the United States and the United Kingdom, solely by a doctor's prescription. This means it is not for sale in the Netherlands and should not be used without medical supervision. Manufacturer Eli Lilly has indicated it will not expand to the European market. Therefore, it is not possible to legally obtain the medicine in the Netherlands or other European countries.
Who is Zepbound suitable for?
In the United States and the United Kingdom, Zepbound is suitable for: adults with a BMI ≥ 30, or adults with a BMI ≥ 27, with at least one weight-related condition.
Zepbound Prescription
In the United States, it is a prescription medication. It may only be prescribed by a registered physician. Zepbound is not available on the Dutch market. This means it does not have approval from the EMA (European Medicines Agency) and the CBG (Medicines Evaluation Board). Manufacturer Eli Lilly has also stated that there is no intention to expand beyond the United States.
How Zepbound Works
Zepbound works in two ways. It stimulates insulin production when blood sugar levels are high and simultaneously reduces appetite. This not only ensures better regulation of blood sugar levels but also supports weight loss and fat burning.
Ingredients in Zepbound
The active ingredient in Zepbound is tirzepatide. The other ingredients in this medicine are sodium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate heptahydrate, and water for injection.
| Products: | Zepbound® | Mysimba® | Ozempic® | Retatrutide® | Rybelsus® | Saxenda® | Wegovy® |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist: | Nicolette Lammers | Goodlife | Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly | Novo Nordisk | Novo Nordisk | Novo Nordisk |
| Active ingredient: | Tirzepatide | naltrexone/bupropion | Semaglutide | Retatrutide | Semaglutide | Liraglutide | Semaglutide |
| Treatment type: | Type 2 Diabetes | Obesity | Type 2 Diabetes | Obesity and type 2 diabetes | Type 2 Diabetes | Obesity | Obesity |
| Dosage: | - | 1 tablet | 0.25 - 2.4mg | - | 1 tablet | 0,6 - 3,0mg | 0.25 - 2.4mg |
| Inject: | - | Oral | 1x per week | Once a week | - | 1x per day | Once a week |
| Approval phase: | - | Approved | Approved | Research phase | FDA approved | Approved | Approved |
| Side effects: | nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation | The most common side effects: nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation | Common side effects include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain | No overview of possible side effects known yet | Most common side effects: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, decreased appetite, abdominal pain | Common side effects include: nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, headache, constipation | Common side effects include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain |
The difference between Zepbound and Mounjaro
Both Zepbound and Mounjaro contain the substance tirzepatide and are both produced by Eli Lilly. Zepbound, however, is registered as a treatment for people with obesity and overweight with weight-related conditions. Mounjaro, on the other hand, is registered for the treatment of type II diabetes in addition to obesity. Mounjaro is currently available on the Dutch market, and Zepbound is only available on the US market.
These side effects usually disappear after a few days or weeks. If you have questions about side effects or experience (too many) side effects, please contact your doctor, pharmacist, or coach. You can also report side effects directly via the Dutch Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb, website www.lareb.nl. By reporting side effects, you can help us obtain more information about the safety of this medicine. A complete list of side effects can be found in the leaflet.
Where do you inject Zepbound?
Zepbound is administered as a subcutaneous injection, which means: an injection under the skin. Do not inject the medicine into a vein or muscle.
- In the thigh
- In the abdomen
- In the upper arm