November 8, 2023 – The FDA on Wednesday approved an injectable drug for chronic weight control for adults who’re obese or chubby and a minimum of one weight-related condition, similar to hypertension or high cholesterol.
The FDA has approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) as an adjunct to a lower-calorie weight loss program and increased exercise.
Tirzepatide is the energetic ingredient. It is already approved as Mounjaro to be used together with weight loss program and exercise to enhance blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the FDA said in a press release Press release.
“Obesity and overweight are serious medical conditions that may be linked to some of the leading causes of death, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes,” said John Sharretts, MD, director of the Division of Diabetes, Lipid Disorders and Obesity on the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and – research. “Given the rising rates of obesity and overweight in the United States, today’s approval addresses an unmet medical need.”
Consumers this yr have embraced Wegovy for treating obesity and chubby, and Ozempic for treating diabetes.
About 70% of adults are obese or chubby, and lots of obese people also suffer from a minimum of one weight-related condition, in keeping with the FDA. Adults who’re obese or chubby can reduce their risk of heart problems by losing 5 to 10% of their body weight through proper weight loss program and exercise.
“Zepbound activates receptors of hormones secreted from the gut (glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)) to reduce appetite and food intake,” the FDA said. “Zepbound is administered by injection under the skin once weekly, and the dosage must be increased over four to 20 weeks to reach target doses of 5 milligrams (mg), 10 mg, or 15 mg once weekly. The maximum dosage of Zepbound is 15 mg once weekly.”
Zepbound was tested for effectiveness in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies.
Side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal discomfort, and pain.