FDA approves Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide for weight loss | Fox Business
The FDA has granted approval for Eli Lilly’s type 2 diabetes drug, tirzepatide, for use in chronic weight management. This approval formalizes the medication’s off-label use for weight loss, which has been common. The drug, previously known as Mounjaro for diabetes, is now called Zepbound for weight loss. Zepbound is part of a new class of drugs that includes semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss. Clinical trials have shown that Zepbound can result in more than 20% average weight loss over 72 weeks, exceeding the effectiveness of other approved medications. It is recommended for people with obesity or those characterized as overweight with weight-related health conditions. Patients self-administer the drug once a week alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased exercise.
The main side effects of Zepbound include gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. The drug comes with warnings for pancreas inflammation, gallbladder problems, low blood sugar, kidney injury, diabetic retinopathy, and suicidal behavior in type 2 diabetes patients.
Zepbound is priced at around $1,060 per month before insurance. While insurance coverage may pose challenges, Eli Lilly plans to offer a savings card for patients with commercial insurance, making the drug more accessible. Tirzepatide works by mimicking hormones to stimulate insulin release and reduce appetite, targeting hormone receptors GIP and GLP-1.
Both Zepbound and other similar drugs have faced shortages due to increased demand, prompting manufacturers to invest in increased production. Eli Lilly’s CEO, David Ricks, compared the approval of Zepbound to historic milestones in pharmaceuticals, emphasizing its potential as an innovative weight management solution.
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