Zepbound, a medication used for weight loss, is gaining attention due to its potential to help individuals lose a significant amount of weight. Manufactured by Eli Lilly, the medication is a form of tirzepatide, an FDA-approved treatment for obesity and overweight adults. Recent research has revealed that Zepbound may be more effective for women than for men, making it an even more promising option for those looking to lose weight.
Cost Reduction and New Availability
Eli Lilly has introduced a more affordable version of Zepbound, now available in single-dose vials. This change has made the medication more accessible, with prices dropping nearly 50% compared to the previous auto-injector form. For a four-week supply of 2.5 mg Zepbound, patients will now pay $399, or about $99.75 per vial. The 5 mg dose is priced at $549, or $137.25 per vial. This is a significant price reduction, which Eli Lilly has said will extend beyond their existing savings programs to include people who aren’t typically eligible, such as Medicare recipients.
Research Findings: Better Results for Women?
Recent preliminary research presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes shows that women may experience more dramatic weight loss than men when using Zepbound. According to the analysis, women lost 25% of their initial body weight while men lost 19%. This finding is based on data from four clinical trials involving nearly 3,000 women and 1,700 men, though it’s still considered preliminary as it hasn’t been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Dr. Luis-Emilio García, the lead researcher, noted the consistent benefits of tirzepatide for both genders but emphasized that further studies are needed to understand why women may lose more weight on this medication.
Differences Between Zepbound and Other Medications
Zepbound is part of a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which also includes drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic. While Mounjaro and Zepbound are both brand names for tirzepatide, Ozempic (and its weight-loss counterpart, Wegovy) contains semaglutide, a different medication. Studies suggest that tirzepatide may lead to more substantial weight loss compared to semaglutide.
How to Get Zepbound
To obtain Zepbound, you will still need a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Once you have that, you can choose to purchase either the vials or the autoinjector version, depending on your doctor’s recommendation and your budget. Zepbound can be purchased through LillyDirect, Eli Lilly’s self-pay pharmacy, where patients can also access syringes, needles, and instructions for administering the medication.
Conclusion
Zepbound’s lower price and its potential for more significant weight loss in women mark a promising advancement in the weight-loss medication space. As Eli Lilly continues to make strides in affordability and accessibility, this medication may become an increasingly viable option for those struggling with obesity or weight management. However, additional research is needed to fully understand the reasons behind gender differences in weight loss outcomes and to confirm the long-term benefits of the medication.
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