Zepbound is the latest weight loss medication to gain approval from the FDA. As with many of the other weight loss medications that have gained FDA approval in recent years, Zepbound is delivered to the body via injection.
Zepbound Alternatives - Cheaper, Safer Over The Counter Alternatives To Zepbound Weight Loss In 2024
Zepbound is an injectable medication that provides the drug Tirzepatide. The same drug is also distributed under the Mounjaro brand name as an FDA-approved treatment for type-2 diabetes.
With obesity levels continuing to rise on a worldwide scale, every time a treatment becomes available, it becomes big news. This is certainly the case with Zepbound. Since the FDA approved its use as an anti-obesity medication on November 8 2023, Zepbound has become a hot topic of conversation, with many media outlets rushing to cover the news of its upcoming release as a prescription weight loss injection in 2024.
However, as with many similar medications, such as Wegovy (Semaglutide) and Saxenda (Liraglutide), Zepbound can present some very undesirable side effects. There are also OTC diet pills that work in a similar way to Zepbound that are safer and cost a fraction of the price.
With an expected price tag of $1,000+ per month, Zepbound is also going to be an expensive weight loss medication to use
Safer and Cheaper Zepbound Alternatives
As touched upon, weight loss injections like Zepbound (and Ozempic, Wegovy etc) do have issues with side effects, availability and price. Here are the most popular and effective safer alternatives.
PhenQ - Fat Burner and Appetite Suppressant
PhenQ is a natural weight loss supplement that focuses on weight loss from several different angles, making it a popular choice among individuals looking to reduce their weight. Here's why it might be considered an excellent, safer, and cheaper alternative to prescription weight loss injections like Zepbound:
- Affordability: Prescription medications like Zepbound and Ozempic can be quite expensive and may not be covered by insurance. PhenQ, being an over-the-counter supplement, is generally more affordable, making it a cost-effective alternative.
- Accessibility: PhenQ is available without a prescription, making it an easily accessible option for people looking to lose weight without needing a doctor's approval or prescription.
- All-Natural Ingredients: PhenQ contains a blend of natural ingredients like Capsimax powder, Chromium Picolinate, and Nopal, which are generally considered safer than synthetic drugs. These ingredients aim to increase metabolism, control appetite, and boost energy levels.
- Multiple Benefits: PhenQ is designed to offer several benefits including suppressing appetite, burning stored fat, preventing fat production, and improving mood and energy levels. This multi-faceted approach to weight loss can make it an attractive option for many people.
- Non-Invasive: Unlike Zepbound, which is an injectable medication, PhenQ is taken orally, making it a non-invasive option.
Clenbutrol - Natural Fat loss Supplement
Clenbutrol can be a great choice for men and women to lose weight but not use injections such as Zepbound.
- Natural Ingredients: The product is formulated from natural ingredients, which avoids the risk of harmful side effects often associated with synthetic substances or dangerous weight loss injections.
- Thermogenic Effects: Clenbutrol is designed to increase thermogenesis, or the process of heat production in the body. This means your body burns more calories, helping to accelerate weight loss.
- Targets Excess Fat: The product specifically targets excess fat, converting it to energy. This not only helps with weight loss but also increases your energy levels.
- Increases Focus and Motivation: According to user reviews, Clenbutrol can also enhance focus and motivation, which may help individuals stay committed to their weight loss goals.
- Safe and Legal: Clenbutrol is presented as a safe and legal alternative to more harmful or illegal weight loss methods. This should provide peace of mind to users concerned about the legality or safety of their weight loss approach.
- Money-Back Guarantee: The product comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee, making it a risk-free investment for those wanting to try it out. If you're not satisfied with the results, you can get a refund.
- Positive Testimonials: The webpage includes a number of positive testimonials from users indicating successful weight loss and increased energy levels.
Zotrim - Natural Hunger Reducer
Zotrim is a dietary supplement designed to help control hunger and promote weight loss. Here's why it might be considered an excellent, safer, and cheaper alternative to prescription weight loss injections like Ozempic:
- Affordability: Prescription medications such as Zepbound can be quite costly and may not always be covered by insurance. Zotrim, being an over-the-counter supplement, is generally more affordable, making it a cost-effective alternative.
- Accessibility: Zotrim is available without a prescription, providing a more accessible option for individuals looking to lose weight without the need for a doctor's approval or prescription.
- Natural Ingredients: Zotrim is formulated with natural ingredients like Yerba Mate, Guarana, and Damiana. These are generally considered safer than synthetic drugs, and they aim to control hunger, boost energy levels, and improve mood.
- Appetite Control: Zotrim is designed to make you feel full quicker during meals and keep you feeling full for longer. This unique approach to weight loss can help reduce the total amount of calories consumed, which can lead to weight loss.
- Non-Invasive: Unlike Zepbound, an injectable medication, Zotrim is taken orally, making it a better option for men or women that fear needles.
What Is Zepbound and How Does It Help With Weight Loss?
Zepbound is an injectable medication that provides the drug Tirzepatide. The same drug is also distributed under the Mounjaro brand name as an FDA-approved treatment for type-2 diabetes. It has secondary value as an appetite suppressant so doctors often prescribe Mounjaro "off-label" to patients who are extremely overweight or obese.
The one difference between Zepbound and Mounjaro is Zepbound provides Tirzepatide in a slightly higher dose.
In common with many competing drugs, Tirzepatide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Also called GLP-1 analogs and incretin mimetics, drugs of this type mimic the abilities of the hormone GLP-1, which is released in the gut as a response to the presence of food.
After its release, GLP-1 regulates insulin and glucagon, both of which are responsible for controlling blood glucose levels.
GLP-1 receptor agonists can present a number of side effects. One of them is loss of appetite. Hence Tirzepatide's value as a weight loss drug.
However, Tirzepatide differs from competing drugs such as Semaglutide and Liraglutide because it does not solely function as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It mimics the activities of a satiety hormone called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) as well.
Although Mounjaro does the same things, it's important to remember its use as weight loss aid is off-label. Zepbound is the only FDA-approved weight loss medication that has the ability to influence both GLP-1 and GIP.
Due to the role GIP plays in hunger suppression, Zepbound could be seen as having greater value than any of the other popular weight loss jabs.
Who Makes Zepbound?
Zepbound is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. It's a high-profile pharmaceutical company based in the United States.
Eli Lilly is probably best known for developing the anti-depressant medication Prozac (fluoxetine). However, these days, it gets more attention due to its other creation, Tirzepatide, which gained FDA approval as an anti-diabetic in May 2022. Now, 18 months later, and not unexpectedly, the FDA has approved its use for weight loss.
How Do You Use Zepbound?
Zepbound is delivered to the body via once-weekly injections. The needle is inserted just under the skin, never into a muscle or a vein.
Popular injection sites include the belly, and upper thighs. The medication is provided in pre-dosed pens.
There will be six Zepbound dose options:
- 2.5 mg
- 5 mg
- 7.5 mg
- 10 mg
- 12.5 mg
- 15 mg
With this type of medication it's normal to begin with the lowest dose injector pen and then gradually increase the dose each month.
When Will Zepbound Be Available?
Eli Lilly plans to make Zepbound available in U.S. pharmacies at the start of 2024.
Tirzepatide is also presently under regulatory review for weight management purposes in the United Kingdom, Europe, China, and several other parts of the world.
How Much Will Zepbound Cost?
Eli Lilly says Zepbound will have a list price of $1,059.87 for a 4-week treatment. Depending on their policy details and coverage, some people may be able to get their insurance provider to foot most of the bill.
With appropriate insurance coverage the out-of-pocket expense of using Zepbound may be as low as $25 for a 1-month or 3-month prescription.
Eli Lilly also plans on creating a commercial savings card program that may make the new weight loss medication more accessible. For those who are eligible, the program may bring the cost of using Zepbound down to $550 per month.
However, although this is 50% saving on the list price, that's still $112.50 per injection. Overweight people on tight budgets may struggle to pay this and be forced to seek out cheaper alternatives to use instead.
Who Will Be Eligible for a Zepbound Prescription?
As with other prescription-only weight loss medications, Zepbound will only be available to adults who are obese (BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater) or those who are overweight (BMI of 27 kg/m2 or greater) and also have weight-related medical conditions such as high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease.
Those who are eligible for a Zepbound prescription will be expected to make appropriate efforts with diet and exercise.
The eligibility criteria is set by the FDA. However, before they prescribe Zepbound for weight loss, doctors will also need to consider additional factors such as the way Zepbound may interact with existing medications or the additional risks it may present to people who have certain medical conditions such as thyroid problems or pancreatitis.
The Potential Value of Zepbound as an Aid to Weight Loss
Although it remains to be seen how the new medication will perform in the wild, data from clinical trials suggest Zepbound may be a useful weight loss tool.
Study data shows obese adults taking Zepbound at the highest dose (15 mg) lost, on average, 48 lbs after 72 weeks of treatment.
The study participants taking the lowest dose (5 mg) lost 34 lbs. Although this is considerably less than the weight losses associated with higher doses, it's still 27 lbs more than the members of the placebo group.
It's also worth noting 1 in 3 of the study participants taking 15 mg per week achieved 58 lb weight losses. This equated to a 35% overall reduction in body weight.
Potential Side Effects and Risks
As with most pharmaceutical interventions, Zepbound can cause side effects. The most common side effects experienced by study participants were gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain.
Injection site reactions were also and issue for around 5% of users, as was fatigue, hair loss, and belching.
Zepbound may also cause more serious side effects including gallbladder problems, kidney failure, pancreatitis, depression, and thoughts of suicide.
Many media outlets neglect to mention these risks but were not going to do that here.
It's also worth noting the Zepbound information sheet that will accompany the new medication, bears a black box warning that relates to the risk of thyroid c-cell tumors. (https://pi.lilly.com/us/zepbound-uspi.pdf)
Zepbound or An Alternative? - The Bottom Line
Zepbound is a weight loss medication that recently gained FDA approval and will shortly become available in U.S. pharmacies. It will only be available via prescription.
Prescription eligibility will be limited to people who are extremely overweight or obese. Other restrictions may also apply depending on individual medical histories and existing medication usage.
Zepbound is an injectable drug that has produced reasonable results during clinical trials. However, with a list price of over $1,000 per month, many people may find Zepbound prohibitively expensive.
The potential side effects and health risks do not work in the medication's favor either. Nevertheless, there is a lot of interest in Zepbound and it's going to be available soon.
Weight loss injections such as Zepbound, Ozempic, or Wegovy are prescription medications that can be used to manage weight, particularly for people with certain health conditions like type 2 diabetes. However, they aren't suitable or necessary for everyone.
Here are ten reasons why you might consider a natural weight loss supplement over Zepbound injections:
- No Need for Medical Prescription: Natural weight loss supplements can be purchased over the counter without the need for a doctor's prescription.
- Lower Cost: Prescription medications can be quite expensive, even with insurance coverage. Natural supplements are often a more affordable option.
- Ease of Use: Taking a pill or a powder is generally easier and less uncomfortable than administering an injection.
- Fewer Side Effects: Natural supplements, when used correctly, may have fewer side effects compared to prescription medications, which can have side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.
- Accessibility: Natural weight loss supplements are widely available online and in stores. Prescription medications require a visit to the doctor and a trip to the pharmacy.
- Complementary to Diet and Exercise: Natural weight loss supplements often work best when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, helping to establish overall healthy lifestyle habits.
- No Needles: Some people have a fear of needles or simply do not like injections. Oral Zepbound alternatives and natural supplements avoid this issue.
- Lower Risk of Dependency: Prescription medications can sometimes lead to dependency issues. This risk is generally lower with alternative natural weight loss supplements.
- Broad Range of Options: There are many different natural weight loss supplements available, offering a wider range of options to find what works best for your body and your lifestyle.
- Holistic Approach: Many natural weight loss supplements such as PhenQ include ingredients that can support overall health, not just weight loss.
Remember, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new diet or weight loss supplement regimen. Weight loss supplements, whether natural or prescription, are not a magic solution and should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Disclaimer: The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.
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