What is Zepbound (Tirzepatide)?
Tirzepatide (better known by the brand name Zepbound) is an FDA-approved dual-acting drug for weight loss and obstructive sleep apnea.
What’s the Difference Between Tirzepatide and Other Weight Loss Drugs?
Mounjaro and Zepbound Contain GLP-1 and GIP
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is an incretin hormone produced in the human body in response to food, which promotes satiety (fullness) and suppresses appetite.
GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) is another incretin hormone that plays an important role in high-fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance.
When these hormones work together, they’re considered dual-acting.
The small intestine secretes GLP-1 and GIP hormones when a meal is eaten. These hormones potentiate glucose-induced insulin secretion, which is called the incretin effect.
This incretin effect is severely minimized in people with type 2 diabetes. This is how the drug Mounjaro was initially studied in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Both Mounjaru and Zepbound contain Tirzepatide, which mimics GLP-1 and GIP, making them dual-acting prescription medications for weight loss.
The difference between Mounjaro and Zepbound is the reason for the prescription. Zepbound is used for weight loss, while Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes.
Wegovy and Zepbound
Wegovy (Semaglutide) is another weight loss drug. The difference between Wegovy and Zepbound is that Wegovy mimics GLP-1, while Zepbound mimics both GLP-1 and GIP hormones.
How Does Tirzepatide Work?
Slower Gastric Emptying
GLP-1 slows down food movement through the stomach to help you feel fuller longer. This leads to increased satiety or prolonged fullness.
Effects on Glucagon Release
GIP (secreted from enteroendocrine K-cells) increases glucagon secretion, and GLP-1 (secreted from L-cells) inhibits glucagon secretion. Glucagon aids in the regulation of blood sugar.
Increase in Insulin Release
Tirzepatide enhances insulin secretion when glucose is ingested orally, regulating glucose homeostasis, as well as fat cell (adipocytes) metabolism and energy production by improving skeletal muscle function.
If you want more in-depth information about Tirzepatide and how it works, please contact us.
What’s the Average Weight Loss on Tirzepatide?
Great question! All weight loss medications vary in the amount or percentage of weight loss. Patients on the maximum dose of Tirzepatide (15mg weekly) can expect to lose, on average, around 18% to 25% of their body weight.
If you’re curious about our patients’ outcomes, you can read their success stories here.
Where Can I Get a Prescription for Tirzepatide?
Our team at CONCI prescribes both Zepbound and Mounjaro with close dietary support, as well as in-body testing to monitor the loss of fat mass and lean muscle mass.
It is essential to incorporate sustainable lifestyle strategies like increased physical activity to optimize the effectiveness of GLP-1/GIP and to achieve sustained weight loss.
Our clinic has specific diet plans in place utilizing registered dieticians to help with food-based diets and high quality meal replacement products. Contact us for more information or to schedule a free orientation.
Quick Information for Tirzepatide
- Tirzepatide (GLP-1/GIP) is considered dual-acting and mimics the incretin effect, which is the body’s response to secrete insulin when a meal is eaten.
- Tirzepatide (GLP-1/GIP) overall plays a critical role in glucose metabolism, insulin production and sensitivity, which leads to overall metabolic homeostasis, which is lacking in patients struggling with obesity.
Lifestyle strategies and meal replacement products are essential to optimize the effectiveness of GLP-1/GIP and promote adequate weight loss.
Sources
- Abbasi, J. (2023). FDA green-lights tirzepatide, marketed as Zepbound, for chronic weight management. JAMA, 330(22), 2143-2144. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.24539
- El, K., & Campbell, J. E. (2020). The role of GIP in α-cells and glucagon secretion. Peptides, 125, 170213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peptides.2019.170213
- Zilstorff, D. B., Richter, M. M., Hannibal, J., et al. (2024). Secretion of glucagon, GLP-1 and GIP may be affected by circadian rhythm in healthy males. BMC Endocrine Disorders, 24(1), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-024-01566-9