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Meet Zepbound
1 Meet Zepbound 2 Getting Started

After receiving Zepbound (tirzepatide), you can start your weekly Zepbound routine.

Zepbound can be injected at home, with or without food, once a week at any time of the day

Your healthcare provider can help you choose the injection site that is best for you. You or another person can inject the medicine in your stomach or thigh. Another person should give you the injection in the back of your upper arm.

Read the Instructions for Use included with your vial.

Video guide to your Zepbound Vial.

Your weekly Zepbound routine

Getting started with the Zepbound vial

Gather supplies needed to give your injection. In addition to 1 single-dose vial, you will also need:

  • 1 syringe and 1 needle, supplied separately (for example, use a 1 mL syringe and needle as recommended by your healthcare provider)

  • 1 alcohol swab

  • Gauze

  • 1 sharps container for throwing away used needles and syringes

Injecting Zepbound

Preparing to inject Zepbound:

Please read the full Instructions for Use included with your Zepbound vial.

1. Remove the vial from the refrigerator.

2. Check the vial label to make sure you have the right medicine and dose, and that it has not expired.

3. Make sure the medicine:

  • is not frozen

  • is not cloudy

  • is colorless to slightly yellow

  • does not have particles

Always use a new syringe and needle for each injection to prevent infections and blocked needles. Do not reuse or share your syringes or needles with other people. You may give other people a serious infection or get a serious infection from them.

Wash your hands with soap and water. 

How to use your vial

After you inspect your vials, follow these steps to use Zepbound*:

  1. Pull off the plastic protective cap and wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab.

  2. Place needle on top of syringe.‡ Turn until it’s tight and firmly attached. Remove the needle shield by pulling straight off.

  3. Hold syringe in one hand with needle pointing up. Pull down on plunger with other hand until the plunger tip reaches the syringe line indicating that 0.5 mL of air has been drawn into the syringe.

  4. Push needle through the rubber stopper of vial. Push plunger in all the way in.

  5. Turn vial and syringe upside down. Make sure that the tip of the needle is in the liquid. Slowly pull the plunger down until the plunger tip is past the 0.5 mL line. If there are air bubbles, tap the syringe gently a few times to let any air bubbles rise to the top.

  6. Slowly push plunger up until the plunger tip reaches the 0.5 mL line.

  7. Pull syringe out of the rubber stopper of vial. 

  8. Choose your injection site and insert needle into your skin at chosen site.†¶

  9. Push down on plunger to inject your dose. The needle should stay in your skin for at least 5 seconds to make sure you have injected all of your dose.

  10. Pull needle out of your skin. Press the injection site with a piece of gauze or an alcohol swab. Do not recap the needle. Recapping the needle can lead to a needle stick injury.

*These 10 steps are not the complete instructions for using Zepbound. Before starting Zepbound, your healthcare provider should show you how to inject Zepbound. Always inspect your medication prior to injection and read the full Instructions for Use included with Zepbound.

† Needle and syringe are not included with Zepbound. The needle and syringe recommended by your healthcare provider may look different than the needle and syringe shown.

‡ Choose your injection site (for example, your stomach, thigh, or the back of your upper arm). You or another person can inject into your stomach area or thigh. Another person should give you the injection in the back of your upper arm.

Change (rotate) your injection site with each weekly injection. You may use the same area of your body but be sure to choose a different injection site in that area. Do not use the same site for each injection.

Life happens and schedules change. So, if you want to change the day of the week you take your Zepbound dose, make sure there are at least 3 days (72 hours) between doses.

If you miss a dose of Zepbound, take it as soon as possible—within 4 days (96 hours) of your scheduled dosing. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on your regularly scheduled day. Do not take 2 doses of Zepbound within 3 days (72 hours) of each other.

How to store Zepbound vials

  • Store all unopened vials in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).

  • You may store the unopened vials at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C) for up to 21 days. If you store the vials at room temperature, do not return them to the refrigerator.

  • Discard the vials if not used within 21 days after removing from the refrigerator.

  • Do not freeze the vials. If the vials have been frozen, throw them away and use new ones.

  • Store your vials in the original carton to protect them from the light.

  • Throw away all opened vials after use, even if there is medicine left in the vial.

  • Keep Zepbound vials, syringes, needles, and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Properly dispose of your used needles and syringes

It is important to dispose of your used Zepbound materials safely. To do this, put your used needle and syringe in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away after use. Do not throw away loose syringes or needles in household trash. If you don't have an FDA-cleared sharps container, use a household container. Make sure it is made of heavy-duty plastic; can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out; and it is upright, stable during use, leak-resistant, and properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste.

Keep Zepbound vials, syringes, needles, and all medicines out of the reach of children. Do not recycle your sharps container. Follow your community guidelines for the right way to dispose of your sharps disposal container. For more information about safe sharps disposal, go to the FDA’s website at http://www.fda.gov/safesharpsdisposal.

‡Make sure these bottles are cleaned, emptied, and labeled before use.

Zepbound dosing has to be increased gradually over time

You’ll begin treatment at a recommended 2.5 mg starting dose.* After 4 weeks, your doctor will increase your dose to 5 mg. After another 4 weeks, your doctor may keep you at the 5 mg dose or, if needed, increase the dosage in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose.†

Keep up with your plan: You’ll work with your doctor to follow this step-by-step dosing process to see what dose works best for you.

The Zepbound vial is available in the 2.5-mg and 5-mg doses. The Zepbound pen is available in the 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg doses.

*2.5 mg is the starting dose and is not intended for chronic weight management. The recommended maintenance doses are 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg.

† The maximum dose is 15 mg injected under the skin (subcutaneously) once weekly.

Image description:

The starting dose is 2.5 mg once weekly. After 4 weeks, dose will be increased to 5 mg. Your dose can be increased in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose. The maximum dosage is 15 mg once weekly.

Talk to your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or don't go away

Everyone can have a different experience, but the most common side effects reported by people taking Zepbound were:

  • Nausea

  • Diarrhea

  • Vomiting

  • Constipation

  • Stomach (abdominal) pain

  • Indigestion

  • Injection site reactions

  • Fatigue

  • Allergic reactions

  • Belching

  • Hair loss

  • Heartburn

In studies, most nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting occurred when people increased their dose—but the effects gradually decreased over time.

In studies, gastrointestinal (GI) side effects were more common in people taking Zepbound than people taking placebo, and people taking Zepbound were more likely to stop treatment because of these side effects.

Select Safety Information

Severe stomach problems. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Zepbound. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away.

Kidney problems (kidney failure). Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration.

Tips that may help with nausea 

If you experience nausea, talk to your doctor. In the meantime, it may help to:

  • Eat smaller meals—try splitting 3 daily meals into 4 or more smaller ones

  • Stop eating when you feel full

  • Avoid fatty foods like butter or cheese

  • Try eating bland foods like toast, crackers, or rice

Congratulations! Your Zepbound journey has begun!

INDICATIONS AND SAFETY SUMMARY WITH WARNINGS

Zepbound® (ZEHP-bownd) is an injectable prescription medicine that may help adults with :

  • obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems to lose excess body weight and keep the weight off.

  • moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity to improve their OSA.

It should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Zepbound contains tirzepatide and should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children.

Warnings - Zepbound may cause tumors in the thyroid, including thyroid cancer. Watch for possible symptoms, such as a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. If you have any of these symptoms, tell your healthcare provider.

  • Do not use Zepbound if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

  • Do not use Zepbound if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

  • Do not use Zepbound if you have had a serious allergic reaction to tirzepatide or any of the ingredients in Zepbound.

Zepbound may cause serious side effects, including:

Severe stomach problems. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Zepbound. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away.

Kidney problems (kidney failure). Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration.

Gallbladder problems. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who use Zepbound. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms of gallbladder problems, which may include pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools.

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Zepbound and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.

Serious allergic reactions. Stop using Zepbound and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting or feeling dizzy, or very rapid heartbeat.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Zepbound with medicines that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, sweating, confusion or drowsiness, headache, blurred vision, slurred speech, shakiness, fast heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, mood changes, hunger, weakness or feeling jittery.

Changes in vision in patients with type 2 diabetes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Zepbound.

Depression or thoughts of suicide. You should pay attention to changes in your mood, behaviors, feelings or thoughts. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you.

Food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Zepbound may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Zepbound before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures.

Common side effects
The most common side effects of Zepbound include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdominal) pain, indigestion, injection site reactions, feeling tired, allergic reactions, belching, hair loss, and heartburn. These are not all the possible side effects of Zepbound. Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or doesn’t go away.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects. You can report side effects at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before using Zepbound

  • Your healthcare provider should show you how to use Zepbound before you use it for the first time.

  • Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking medicines to treat diabetes including an insulin or sulfonylurea which could increase your risk of low blood sugar. Talk to your healthcare provider about low blood sugar levels and how to manage them.

  • If you take birth control pills by mouth, talk to your healthcare provider before you use Zepbound. Birth control pills may not work as well while using Zepbound. Your healthcare provider may recommend another type of birth control for 4 weeks after you start Zepbound and for 4 weeks after each increase in your dose of Zepbound.

Review these questions with your healthcare provider:

❑ Do you have other medical conditions, including problems with your pancreas or kidneys, or severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems digesting food?

❑ Do you take diabetes medicines, such as insulin or sulfonylureas?

❑ Do you have a history of diabetic retinopathy?

❑ Are you scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)?

❑ Do you take any other prescription medicines or over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or herbal supplements?

❑ Are you pregnant, plan to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed? Zepbound may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while using Zepbound. It is not known if Zepbound passes into your breast milk. You should talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while using Zepbound.

  • Pregnancy Exposure Registry: There will be a pregnancy exposure registry for women who have taken Zepbound during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry, or you may contact Lilly at 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979).

How to take

  • Read the Instructions for Use that come with Zepbound.

  • Use Zepbound exactly as your healthcare provider says.

  • Use Zepbound with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

  • Zepbound is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm.

  • Use Zepbound 1 time each week, at any time of the day.

  • Change (rotate) your injection site with each weekly injection. Do not use the same site for each injection.

  • If you take too much Zepbound, call your healthcare provider, seek medical advice promptly, or contact a Poison Center expert right away at 1-800-222-1222.

Zepbound injection is approved as a 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg per 0.5 mL in single-dose pen or single-dose vial

Learn more

Zepbound is a prescription medicine. For more information, call 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979) or go to www.zepbound.lilly.com.

This summary provides basic information about Zepbound but does not include all information known about this medicine. Read the information that comes with your prescription each time your prescription is filled. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about Zepbound and how to take it. Your healthcare provider is the best person to help you decide if Zepbound is right for you.

ZP CON BS 20DEC2024
Zepbound® and its delivery device base are registered trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.

INDICATIONS AND SAFETY SUMMARY WITH WARNINGS

Zepbound® (ZEHP-bownd) is an injectable prescription medicine that may help adults with :

  • obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems to lose excess body weight and keep the weight off.

  • moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity to improve their OSA.

It should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Zepbound contains tirzepatide and should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children.

Warnings - Zepbound may cause tumors in the thyroid, including thyroid cancer. Watch for possible symptoms, such as a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. If you have any of these symptoms, tell your healthcare provider.

  • Do not use Zepbound if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

  • Do not use Zepbound if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

  • Do not use Zepbound if you have had a serious allergic reaction to tirzepatide or any of the ingredients in Zepbound.

Zepbound may cause serious side effects, including:

Severe stomach problems. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Zepbound. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away.

Kidney problems (kidney failure). Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration.

Gallbladder problems. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who use Zepbound. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms of gallbladder problems, which may include pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools.

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Zepbound and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.

Serious allergic reactions. Stop using Zepbound and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting or feeling dizzy, or very rapid heartbeat.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Zepbound with medicines that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, sweating, confusion or drowsiness, headache, blurred vision, slurred speech, shakiness, fast heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, mood changes, hunger, weakness or feeling jittery.

Changes in vision in patients with type 2 diabetes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Zepbound.

Depression or thoughts of suicide. You should pay attention to changes in your mood, behaviors, feelings or thoughts. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you.

Food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Zepbound may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Zepbound before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures.

Common side effects
The most common side effects of Zepbound include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdominal) pain, indigestion, injection site reactions, feeling tired, allergic reactions, belching, hair loss, and heartburn. These are not all the possible side effects of Zepbound. Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or doesn’t go away.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects. You can report side effects at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before using Zepbound

  • Your healthcare provider should show you how to use Zepbound before you use it for the first time.

  • Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking medicines to treat diabetes including an insulin or sulfonylurea which could increase your risk of low blood sugar. Talk to your healthcare provider about low blood sugar levels and how to manage them.

  • If you take birth control pills by mouth, talk to your healthcare provider before you use Zepbound. Birth control pills may not work as well while using Zepbound. Your healthcare provider may recommend another type of birth control for 4 weeks after you start Zepbound and for 4 weeks after each increase in your dose of Zepbound.

Review these questions with your healthcare provider:

❑ Do you have other medical conditions, including problems with your pancreas or kidneys, or severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems digesting food?

❑ Do you take diabetes medicines, such as insulin or sulfonylureas?

❑ Do you have a history of diabetic retinopathy?

❑ Are you scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)?

❑ Do you take any other prescription medicines or over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or herbal supplements?

❑ Are you pregnant, plan to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed? Zepbound may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while using Zepbound. It is not known if Zepbound passes into your breast milk. You should talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while using Zepbound.

  • Pregnancy Exposure Registry: There will be a pregnancy exposure registry for women who have taken Zepbound during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry, or you may contact Lilly at 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979).

How to take

  • Read the Instructions for Use that come with Zepbound.

  • Use Zepbound exactly as your healthcare provider says.

  • Use Zepbound with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

  • Zepbound is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or upper arm.

  • Use Zepbound 1 time each week, at any time of the day.

  • Change (rotate) your injection site with each weekly injection. Do not use the same site for each injection.

  • If you take too much Zepbound, call your healthcare provider, seek medical advice promptly, or contact a Poison Center expert right away at 1-800-222-1222.

Zepbound injection is approved as a 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg per 0.5 mL in single-dose pen or single-dose vial

Learn more

Zepbound is a prescription medicine. For more information, call 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979) or go to www.zepbound.lilly.com.

This summary provides basic information about Zepbound but does not include all information known about this medicine. Read the information that comes with your prescription each time your prescription is filled. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about Zepbound and how to take it. Your healthcare provider is the best person to help you decide if Zepbound is right for you.

ZP CON BS 20DEC2024
Zepbound® and its delivery device base are registered trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.