Tirzepatide (Zepbound)

• Zepbound (tirzepatide) is an injectable medicine used together with a lower-calorie diet and more physical activity for long-term weight management in adults with obesity, or with excess weight plus a weight-related health problem.
• It is also used to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
• It is not the same product as the tirzepatide used for diabetes (Mounjaro) — do not use one in place of the other.

• Inject under the skin of your stomach, thigh, or upper arm once a week, on the same day each week, at any time, with or without food.
• Your dose is increased slowly over several months, starting at 2.5 mg, up to a maintenance dose chosen by your prescriber (as high as 15 mg once weekly) — follow the schedule exactly and do not skip the slow increase.
• Rotate where you inject each week to avoid skin problems.

If you miss a dose

• If you miss a dose and it has been 4 days or less since it was due, take it as soon as you remember. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on your regular scheduled day.

• Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. Stop it at least 2 months before you plan to become pregnant.
• Breastfeeding is not recommended while using this medicine, since there is not enough information on whether it passes into breast milk.

• Tell your prescriber if you or a family member has ever had medullary thyroid cancer, or a condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) — this medicine must not be used in that situation.
• Tell your prescriber if you have gallbladder disease, kidney problems, or are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Important warnings

• Get medical help right away for severe stomach pain that does not go away, especially if it spreads to your back, with or without vomiting — this can be a sign of pancreatitis.
• Get medical help right away for pain in the upper right side of your stomach, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or fever with stomach pain — these can be signs of a gallbladder problem.
• Get medical help right away for severe bloating, ongoing vomiting, or if you stop passing gas or having bowel movements — this can be a sign of a bowel blockage.

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and mild injection-site reactions. These are most common when starting or increasing your dose and usually ease with time.

When to get emergency help

• Severe or worsening stomach pain, especially with vomiting or pain spreading to your back.
• Severe bloating, ongoing vomiting, or inability to pass gas or stool.
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; widespread rash or hives.

When to contact a healthcare professional

• If you are not tolerating the nausea or other stomach side effects even after slowing down the dose increases.

• This medicine can slow how quickly your stomach empties, which may change how well other oral medicines work, including birth control pills — discuss all your other medicines with the Care365 care team.
• If you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea diabetes medicine, your risk of low blood sugar may increase; your other diabetes medicine doses may need to be adjusted.

• Store new pens in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Check the specific pen's package instructions for how long it can be kept at room temperature once in use.
• Dispose of used pens and needles in a sharps container, not the household trash.