Zepbound not working for you? Here's what to know
Zepbound works by affecting certain hormones in your body that slow the passage of food through your digestive tract, helping you feel fuller for longer. It also works to regulate appetite by reducing food cravings and keeping your insulin and glucose levels more stable. These hormone and appetite changes can help you lose and manage your weight.
If Zepbound is not working for you, it is possible you may need to take the drug for a longer period of time, such as several months, to see its full effects. Most research on Zepbound looks at weight loss over 52 or 72 weeks. Note that weight loss differs from one person to another.
You will likely begin Zepbound treatment on 2.5 milligrams (mg) once per week for 4 weeks. After those 4 weeks, your doctor may increase your dosage to 5 mg once per week.
Your doctor may continue to increase your dose by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks until the drug is working as desired to manage your condition. The maximum dose of Zepbound for weight loss and weight management is 15 mg once per week.
You are more likely to notice weight loss results with Zepbound the longer you use the drug, such as 52 or 72 weeks. Below, you will find information on weight loss results over weeks and months.
After 2 weeks of Zepbound use, you probably will not notice significant weight changes. The reason for this is because it takes time for the medication to work. But you may begin to notice some mild changes, including decreased appetite, feeling fuller for longer, or reduced food cravings.
Your doctor will start you one a low dose of Zepbound and slowly increase it over time. If you have been using Zepbound for 3 months and not seeing results, this may because you are not yet on a high enough dose or you may have only been on your maintenance dose of the drug for a short time. You are more apt to notice results the longer you are using the drug.
If you have been using Zepbound for 3 months and it has not worked for you, talk with your doctor. They can discuss your dosing schedule with you and when or if you will increase your Zepbound dose. You will also want to be sure you are using Zepbound in combination with a balanced diet and increased exercise for best results.
In Zepbound’s clinical trials, adult participants were studied over 72 weeks (18 months). Study 1 included people with overweight or obesity without diabetes. Study 2 included people with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The following table shows the percentages of body weight the study participants lost in Study 1 and Study 2.
After 72 weeks of treatment, those who injected 15 mg of Zepbound once weekly had an average weight loss of up to 20.9% of their body weight. For reference, this means that a person weighing 250 pounds (lb) may have an average weight loss of about 52 lb.
Typically, higher doses of Zepbound (10 mg and 15 mg) were associated with greater weight loss.
If you’re taking lower doses of the drug, such as 5 mg or 7.5 mg, your dose may not be high enough to experience the drug’s full effects. Talk with your doctor about which dose is right to help you mange your condition.
If you’re on higher doses, such as 10 mg or 15 mg, and it’s not working for you, talk with your doctor. They can look for other factors, such as underactive thryoid, which can make weight loss more difficult.
Experiencing the full benefits of Zepbound requires time, a healthy diet, and increased physical activity. The most significant results typically appear after several months of treatment and with higher doses of the drug. Keep in mind that lifestyle habits and your health history may play a role in how well the drug works to manage your condition. If you have questions or concerns about your weight loss while using Zepbound, talk with your doctor. They can look for other factors that may make weight loss more challenging.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.