The first truly revolutionary oral drug for obesity, made by Eli Lilly, may soon be on the way.
Eli Lilly's new drug, Zepbound, has been approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or those who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition, marking a significant advancement in obesity treatment. Zepbound, which is a rebranded version of the diabetes drug Mounjaro, has shown in clinical trials to help patients lose up to 22.5% of their body weight, surpassing the effectiveness of other similar medications like Wegovy. The drug works by mimicking the effects of two gut hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, which help regulate appetite and food intake. Despite its promising results, Zepbound comes with a high cost of about $1,060 per month and potential side effects including nausea, diarrhea, and more severe risks like thyroid tumors in rats. Eli Lilly is also working on an oral version of the drug, aiming to make it more accessible and easier to administer than the current injectable form.
Health & Fitness
Thu, April 17, 2025
