FDA Approves Mounjaro for Weight Loss Under New Name Zepbound: But Why?

A recent study has uncovered exciting news about the weight loss medication tirzepatide, known by its brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound. Researchers found that people who keep taking tirzepatide for a longer time see even better results in both losing weight and keeping it off. The results were quite impressive in the recent studies. Those who continued with tirzepatide went on to lose an additional 5% of their total weight, making it about a 25% loss overall. Meanwhile, the group that switched to the placebo managed to keep some of their weight off, but they regained about 14% of it. This study was conducted by the team at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian in New York and was sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company, which makes both Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Here’s a bit of background: Earlier studies in phase three trials revealed that tirzepatide like Mounjaro Injections could help people lose over 20% of their weight within 72 weeks. This was a significant improvement compared to a group who didn’t take the medication. The latest study, lasting 88 weeks, involved 670 participants. Everyone received tirzepatide treatment for the first 36 weeks. After that, they were randomly chosen to either continue with the medication or switch to a placebo for another year.

The Important Findings from the Mounjaro Weight Loss Study

Mounjaro, a new weight loss drug, has shown promising results, especially in the first few months after people start using it. Weight loss slows down after this initial period, but it’s important to keep taking the drug to help maintain the weight loss, experts advise.

The study provided valuable information about what Mounjaro can and can’t do. Participants didn’t just shed pounds; they also saw health benefits like better insulin levels (which is important for blood sugar control), improved cholesterol levels, lower body mass index (BMI), and reduced waist size. All these benefits together suggest that Mounjaro could be a powerful option for those looking to treat obesity.

How Much Weight Do People Lose with Zepbound?

In recent studies, an exciting development has been observed with a new drug called tirzepatide, marketed as Zepbound. Participants in these trials experienced significant weight loss. Specifically, those taking the highest dose of Zepbound, which is 15 milligrams once a week, saw an average weight reduction of 18%. This is quite impressive! Interestingly, it appears that Zepbound has varying effects depending on whether a person has diabetes or not. Generally, individuals without diabetes tend to lose more weight compared to those with diabetes. For instance, in a separate study, individuals with diabetes who were using Zepbound reported an average weight loss of about 12%, as noted by the FDA. This distinction is an important consideration for both doctors and patients thinking about weight loss strategies.

Is Mounjaro Exactly the Same as Zepbound?

Zepbound and Mounjaro are two different brand names for the same medication, tirzepatide. They’re used for different health issues. Zepbound is approved by the FDA to help with weight loss, especially for those who are overweight or obese. Mounjaro, on the other hand, is used for managing type 2 diabetes. Even though they’re marketed under different names, the core ingredient and the doses they come in are the same.

The FDA recently gave the green light to Zepbound for weight loss after a study called SURMOUNT-1, backed by Eli Lilly, the company behind the drug. In this study, participants took weekly shots of tirzepatide for 72 weeks. Those who took the highest dose saw significant weight loss – around 20% of their body weight on average. This result is pretty impressive, especially when compared to other weight loss medications out there, like Wegovy.

How Does the Latest FDA-Approved Weight Loss Injection Compare to Similar Drugs?

Zepbound, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic are four medications that are easy to compare once you understand their patterns. Wegovy and Ozempic both contain semaglutide. Wegovy is used for weight loss, while Ozempic treats type 2 diabetes. Similarly, Zepbound and Mounjaro contain the same active ingredient, tirzepatide. Initially, tirzepatide (as Mounjaro) was used for diabetes. However, it also showed promising results in weight management.

Before Zepbound was approved by the FDA, tirzepatide was often used off-label for weight loss as Mounjaro. But Mounjaro is officially sanctioned only for type 2 diabetes treatment, even though users frequently experienced weight loss. Now, with Zepbound’s approval, those aiming for weight loss have a specifically designated option with tirzepatide. It’s interesting to note that while Zepbound and Wegovy are both targeted at weight loss, and Mounjaro and Ozempic are for diabetes management, each of these medications works in its unique way.

Who Is Eligible to Receive Zepbound?

Zepbound is approved by the FDA for adults 18 years and older who are either obese or overweight with extra health issues linked to their weight. When doctors decide if someone is obese or overweight, they often use a measure called BMI (Body Mass Index). However, BMI isn’t always a perfect way to judge health. For instance, someone might have a high BMI because they’re very muscular and fit, not because they’re unhealthy. So, Zepbound might not be the right choice for them.

On the other hand, there are people with high BMIs who face serious health problems related to their weight, like high blood pressure, diabetes, and increased risks of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or liver disease. Talking to your doctor to see if Zepbound is a good option for you. To be eligible for Zepbound, you need to have a BMI of 30 or more, which indicates obesity, or a BMI of 27 or more, which is considered overweight, along with at least one other weight-related health issue. These issues can include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or Type 2 diabetes.

What Are the Side Effects That Patients Experience with Zepbound?

Zepbound, much like other similar medications such as Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, has some common side effects. These include feelings of nausea, episodes of vomiting, diarrhea, a reduced appetite, constipation, discomfort in the upper part of the stomach, and abdominal pain. It’s also important to note that, according to FDA officials, the ingredient tirzepatide in these medications has been linked to thyroid C-cell tumors in rats. This raises a concern, although it’s still unclear whether Zepbound and Mounjaro injections can cause similar types of tumors, like medullary thyroid cancer, in humans.

Can Anti-obesity Drugs Cause Depression or Suicidal Thoughts?

It’s not certain if Zepbound or similar weight loss medications can lead to feelings of depression or thoughts of harming oneself. However, the company that makes Zepbound, Eli Lilly, has cautioned that doctors should keep a close eye on their patients for any signs of depression or suicidal thoughts. They also recommend that patients stop using Zepbound immediately if they start having thoughts of suicide. This concern isn’t new; we’ve seen similar issues with other weight loss drugs in the past, where they might heighten the risk of suicide in individuals who are already dealing with depression.

Reasons to Be Cautious About Zepbound

Remember, if you start losing weight with Zepbound and Mounjaro, like Ozempic and Wegovy, you might need to keep taking them to maintain your weight loss.

• Now, Zepbound can be quite pricey and not always easy to find. And just like Wegovy and Ozempic, Zepbound and Mounjaro have some side effects, particularly affecting the stomach, which may not be very pleasant.
• These medications are still quite new on the market. This means we’re still learning about them, and there might be some long-term health impacts that we don’t know about yet.
• It’s important to know that Zepbound could make depression or thoughts of suicide worse in some people. If you’re feeling depressed or having thoughts of harming yourself, it’s crucial to talk to your doctor right away. Eli Lilly, the company that makes Zepbound, strongly advises stopping the medication if you have suicidal thoughts.

It’s essential for patients to get their health information from trustworthy sources. And for doctors, it’s important to weigh the benefits and risks for each individual patient, as everyone’s situation is different.

Are There People Who Should Not Take Zepbound?

Absolutely, it’s crucial for pregnant women to avoid certain medications. They need to focus on a healthy diet and gaining the right amount of weight for a safe pregnancy. According to the FDA, Zepbound is not recommended for anyone with a personal or family history of a specific thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer. It’s also not suitable for those with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. Plus, Zepbound hasn’t been tested in people with a history of pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas, or severe digestive tract conditions. This includes serious cases of gastroparesis, where the stomach muscles don’t function properly.

Things to Know About Mounjaro

Tirzepatide, known by its brand name Mounjaro, is a medicine approved by the FDA primarily for treating type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, it’s also showing promise in helping with obesity. Doctors specializing in obesity treatment have increasingly been using tirzepatide off-label, meaning for a purpose other than what it’s officially approved for. If the FDA gives the green light for its use in treating obesity, it could become more accessible to those who need it.

What’s special about tirzepatide is that it’s not just a typical diet pill. The results we’re seeing with it in obesity treatment are quite remarkable. While success in weight loss is often seen as losing about 10% of body weight, tirzepatide has shown results exceeding 25% in some cases. This is significant and suggests that we’re making real progress in tackling the metabolic aspect of obesity, which is a crucial part of the condition.

Lifestyle Changes: Key Component of Weight Loss Success

Recent research from the SURMOUNT-3 study, which involved a large group of overweight people and those with obesity-related health issues, but not diabetes, brings exciting news about a drug called tirzepatide. This study was carefully done, with participants randomly receiving either tirzepatide or a placebo, without knowing which one they got.

The results are quite promising. Tirzepatide appears to be a major breakthrough in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes. It helps people lose more weight and control their blood sugar levels better than current treatments. But, it’s important to remember that we still need more research to fully understand the long-term safety and effectiveness of tirzepatide, including how it impacts heart health and overall lifespan.

It’s also crucial to point out that tirzepatide isn’t a cure-all solution. A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, remains key to achieving the best health outcomes. In the study, alongside taking the drug, participants also received regular advice from a dietitian. This helped them eat a balanced, calorie-controlled diet and maintain regular physical activity.

Even those who received a placebo, meaning no active drug, managed to lose some weight. This highlights the importance of diet and exercise in any weight loss plan. The study reminds us that while tirzepatide is effective, professional guidance in managing diet and exercise is an essential part of anyone’s journey to lose weight. And here’s a good part out of all, now you can buy Mounjaro from the best Canadian online pharmacy at Polar Bear Meds. Get your medications at low prices and enjoy substantial savings on it!

Takeaway

The recent findings about tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss, are groundbreaking. Clinical studies, including SURMOUNT-3, have demonstrated its significant effectiveness in reducing weight and improving metabolic health. Participants experienced substantial weight loss, better blood sugar control, and improved health markers like cholesterol levels and BMI. However, it’s crucial to remember that tirzepatide is not a standalone solution. A balanced diet and regular exercise, supported by professional dietary counseling, play a vital role in achieving and maintaining weight loss. While tirzepatide shows promise, its long-term safety and impact on overall health still require further research. This medication presents a new option for those struggling with obesity and type 2 diabetes, but it’s essential to approach it as part of a comprehensive health strategy.