Eli Lilly intros Zepbound

Eli Lilly’s Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection is now available. 

Zepbound is indicated for adults with obesity (BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater), or those who are overweight (with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater) and also have weight-related medical problems such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea or cardiovascular disease, to lose weight and keep it off.

It should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Zepbound should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist medicines, and it has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis, or with severe gastrointestinal disease, including severe gastroparesis, the company said.

Following the Food and Drug Administration’s approval on Nov. 8, 2023, people living with obesity can now access Zepbound in six doses (2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg) through a prescription.

Read more: Eli Lilly gets FDA nod for Zepbound for chronic weight management]

"Today opens another chapter for adults living with obesity who have been looking for a new treatment option like Zepbound," said Rhonda Pacheco, group vice president of Lilly diabetes and obesity, U.S. "The availability of Zepbound in U.S. pharmacies is the first step, but we have to work hand-in-hand with employers, government and healthcare industry partners to remove barriers and make Zepbound available to those who need it. We are excited to see growing coverage in the marketplace, giving millions of Americans access to Zepbound."

Effective Dec. 1, 2023, Zepbound was added to the National Preferred Formulary for Express Scripts and Cigna Healthcare, and effective Dec. 15, 2023, it will be added to Cigna Healthcare's commercial formularies. Lilly's commercial savings card program is now available at U.S. pharmacies to help adults who need Zepbound access it. 

[Read more: Which states have the most overweight, obese populations?]