Zepbound reviews: what the data and users say

The weight loss drug Zepbound (tirzepatide) hit the market in late 2023 and quickly gained traction in the world of medication-managed weight loss. The manufacturer, Eli Lilly, reported 77,590 new Zepbound prescriptions during the week of March 8, 2024 alone. But what do people taking it think? Reading Zepbound reviews and looking at user discussions are a great way to find out.

In this post, we look at clinical trial data and reviews from patients taking Zepbound for weight loss, as well as what clinicians say to give you a real-world look at using Zepbound for weight loss. 

What is Zepbound (tirzepatide)?

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is an injectable weight loss medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2023. It should be used alongside diet and exercise as part of a medical weight loss program. It’s approved for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, or 27 or greater with a weight-related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease. 

As a dual agonist medication, Zepbound works for weight loss by mimicking 2 hormones — glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP). After a meal, the body naturally releases GLP-1 to stimulate insulin production and delay the stomach emptying into the small intestine while GIP is released to stabilize insulin levels. Together, these hormones control blood sugar levels and increase satiety, or feeling full after eating. The overall effect is a decrease in appetite which, if you eat less in response, leads to weight loss. 

Tirzepatide was first approved under the brand name Mounjaro as a treatment for type 2 diabetes in 2022. While Zepbound and Mounjaro share the same active ingredient, using Mounjaro for weight loss off-label if you don’t have type 2 diabetes isn’t recommended.

Effectiveness of Zepbound for weight loss — what the data says

Prior to market release, Zepbound was put through 4 rounds of clinical trials to prove its safety and effectiveness for weight loss. The first SURMOUNT-1 trial tested whether tirzepatide led to weight loss in obese individuals without type 2 diabetes. Results showed that patients lost 15 to 20.9% of their initial body weight over 72 weeks, dependent on the tirzepatide dosage used.

In the second phase SURMOUNT-2 trial, patients with type 2 diabetes who took tirzepatide for weight loss realized up to 14.7% body weight reduction in 72 weeks on the highest dose (15 milligrams).

The final 2 trial phases — SURMOUNT-3 and 4 — evaluated tirzepatide for weight loss in people without type 2 diabetes over 72 and 88 weeks, respectively. Participants started treatment and increased to a maintenance dose before the trial started. These studies found that, when used with diet and exercise, tirzepatide treatment resulted in up to 26.6% average weight loss.

The amount of weight you can lose with Zepbound depends on your situation and the maximum dose you can tolerate. Talk with your healthcare provider to decide if Zepbound is the right weight loss injection for you.

Zepbound reviews — what patients say

Patients reviewing Zepbound overall have good things to say. We combed reviews from drugs.com, Reddit, and other online sources, as well as from patients of providers who use the Klarity platform. Here’s what real people say about Zepbound.

Zepbound reviews on drugs.com

Drugs.com visitors give Zepbound a rating of 9.1 out of 10. 88% of reviewers report a positive experience. At the time of publication, there weren’t any negative experiences reported by drugs.com visitors. 

Drugs.com reviewers share that they notice a reduction in cravings with the first dose and weight loss within the first 2 weeks. Zepbound side effects, like nausea, vomiting, and gas, are mentioned, although some patients say the symptoms were related to increasing their dose and tended to go away as their bodies adjusted. To decrease side effects, reviewers stress the importance of reducing food intake with the first few doses. 

Zepbound reviews on Reddit

Reddit users talk about their weight loss experiences with Zepbound. Highlights include:

“On Zep[bound, I lost weight] immediately. Since 1/19[2024] I’m down 39 pounds as of today [2/26/2024]. I just don’t think about food anymore — at all. When I do order out, I finish about 1/3 of the meal. I drink protein shakes and take vitamins, so I don’t go dizzy from low [blood sugar] but this is the most weight I have ever lost in 1.5 months.” — OkRazzmatazz3514

“I’m on my 5th shot of 5 [milligrams]. I started on 12/23[2023] and lost 15 pounds that first month. I’m averaging about 3 pounds of loss a week.” — ObviousFigure

“I started [Zepbound] at 274 [pounds] after a high weight of 318 [pounds], and actually GAINED 1/4 pound my first week despite doing everything ‘right’. However now I am down 42 pounds in 16 1/2 weeks. My loss isn’t entirely linear, it has even gone up a pound or two before coming down.” — usernaminuse 

“I have lost 21 pounds in two months [on Zepbound]. I have not severely restricted [my diet], nor am I currently doing a lot of exercise other than slow walking.” — Mother_Shopping_8607 

More Zepbound reviews

At the time this article as published, WebMD had one 5.0 Zepbound review. Tolman, a 64- to 75-year old male said, “Works very well for me to control appetite. Few side effects. A real life changer for me.”

Quora user Sherri Cook shared, “I started my 7th week [on Zepbound] today…. I have lost 12.5 pounds so far, so about 2 pounds per week. I am never ever hungry, and I have to make myself eat, but feel that it is important to get enough protein since I am older. I am trying to get more active and have easily changed my diet. Since I don’t crave anything, I make myself eat healthier choices. I am very hopeful, and haven’t felt this good in quite some time….  I feel like I should try my absolute best to make this work since I have had no success in the past and I pay $550.00 per month for the prescription with the Eli Lily Coupon. I have experienced zero side effects so it seems to be agreeing with me well.”

Amy, a patient who found her healthcare provider on Klarity, said, “I personally had a wonderful experience with the Mounjaro [also sold as Zepbound] shot. I experienced little to no side effects as long as I ate a healthy diet. I lost approximately 80 pounds in 10 months on the shot. I would highly recommend the use of Mounjaro for weight loss. I have received excellent care and guidance from Megan Enyart [my provider on Klarity] throughout my weight loss journey.”

Clinician reviews of Zepbound for weight loss

Clinicians prescribing Zepbound for weight loss share their largely positive experiences as well. 

In a podcast from Penn Medicine (University of Pennsylvania), doctors Kendal Williams, MD and Anastassia Amaro, MD discuss how tirzepatide works for weight loss as well as the experiences their patients are having with it. They mention that cost is definitely a concern and getting insurance coverage can seem daunting, yet the benefits may outweigh the cost. Their patients report not thinking about food as much and notice increased weight loss with Zepbound over GLP-1 agonists, such as Wegovy and Ozempic.

Dr. Amaro also says it’s possible to regain weight after stopping treatment with Zepbound. To avoid this, she suggests counseling for lifestyle optimization, which helps individuals determine healthy portion sizes and dietary choices, to create a unique weight management plan. 

On Quora, Dr. Kimberly M. Faith, MD shared her thoughts on Zepbound: “Eli Lilly’s updates on Zepbound are undeniably encouraging, offering a potential game-changer in the fight against obesity. Its dual-action mechanism targeting both GLP-1 and GIP receptors appears to yield impressive weight loss results, surpassing similar existing drugs.”

Megan Enyart, AGNP, PMHNP-BC, who uses the Klarity platform to connect with her patients, said, “GLP-1 medications can help patients regain control of their health. Medications, such as Wegovy, and Zepbound, have helped patients lose weight, lower blood sugar, decrease blood pressure, and make better food choices, resulting in overall better health. These medications can be used as a tool with proper diet, education and medical supervision.”

Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine expert at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, stated, “This would be the most highly efficacious drug ever approved for the treatment of obesity.” 

What to know if you take Zepbound

The data and reviews suggest that taking Zepbound is worth it. But, before you take it, it’s important to know potential Zepbound side effects, precautions, and associated warnings.

 Common side effects of Zepbound include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Indigestion/heartburn
• Gas/belching
• Fatigue
• Injection site reactions
• Hair loss

More serious side effects can include: 

• Allergic reaction
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Gallbladder problems
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Kidney problems
• Changes in vision
• Severe stomach problems

If you experience side effects talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacists. If you have serious side effects or new or worsening mental changes, such as depression or thoughts of suicide, contact your provider or call 911.

Zepbound has a boxed warning for thyroid tumors, including cancer. A boxed warning is the FDA’s strongest safety warning. It indicates that Zepbound isn’t recommended for patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome. 

Zepbound shouldn’t be taken with similar medications, such as GLP-1 agonists, as this can increase the risk of side effects and may not offer any additional benefits. 

Key takeaway

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a prescription drug approved for chronic weight management. It’s proven to be effective for weight loss in clinical trials and people taking it report overall positive results. 

Find a weight loss provider on Klarity 

The Klarity platform connects you with a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in weight loss and weight management. They can help you determine whether Zepbound or another weight loss drug is right for you. 

Find a provider on Klarity and start your weight loss journey today!

Sources

Conscienhealth, Tirzepatide Approved for Obesity: Will Competition Help?, https://conscienhealth.org/2023/11/tirzepatide-approved-for-obesity-will-competition-help/

Drugs.com, Zepbound User Reviews & Ratings, on March 19, 2024, https://www.drugs.com/comments/tirzepatide/zepbound.html

Reuters, Lilly weight-loss drug Zepbound new US prescriptions surpass Wegovy for first time, Mar. 2024, https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/lilly-weight-loss-drug-zepbound-new-us-prescriptions-surpass-wegovy-first-time-2024-03-15/

Lancet, Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity in people with type 2 diabetes (SURMOUNT-2): a double-blind, randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, Aug. 2023, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37385275/

PennMedicine, Drugs for Obesity, A Review of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, Jan. 2024, https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-health-care-professionals/for-physicians/physician-education-and-resources/physician-interviews/2024/january/drugs-for-obesity-a-review-of-semaglutide-and-tirzepatide

Quora.com, Is anyone using Zepbound weight loss shots? I am going to start it soon. Does it work?, https://www.quora.com/Is-anyone-using-Zepbound-weight-loss-shots-I-am-going-to-start-it-soon-Does-it-work

Reddit.com, r/zepbound, https://www.reddit.com/r/Zepbound/comments/

The New England Journal of Medicine, Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity, Jun. 2022, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038Webmd.com, User Reviews for Zepbound Subcutaneous, https://reviews.webmd.com/drugs/drugreview-187794-zepbound-subcutaneous

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health.

How we reviewed this article: This article goes through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author.