How long should you stay on Zepbound (tirzepatide)?

Zepbound® is FDA-approved for chronic weight management* meaning it is intended for long-term use. Zepbound works to reduce appetite and cravings to facilitate weight loss in combination with a low calorie eating pattern and increased physical activity. Research has shown that with weight loss, there are changes in hormones that lead to an increase in appetite and slowing of our metabolism, and that weight regain is common. Therefore, Zepbound essentially helps oppose these changes so that a person can maintain the weight they lost for the long-term. In the SURMOUNT-4 study, individuals were started on Zepbound and gradually increased to a maximum of 10 or 15 mg over 36 weeks. By 36 weeks, the average weight loss was ~20.9% of their starting weight. After 36 weeks, roughly half were randomly chosen to switch to a placebo while others continued on the medication for a total of 88 weeks from the start of the study. At the end of the study, those who had transitioned to the placebo had regained a significant amount of their weight (now only down ~9.9% of their starting weight) while those who continued on the medication were down 25.3% of their starting weight. This study, along with others, highlights that obesity is a chronic disease that requires chronic treatment, much like other chronic conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.