Zepbound: Limited Availability of Certain Dosage Strengths

Certain dosage strengths of Zepbound^™ (tirzepatide) will be in limited supply at least through the end of April 2024, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Drug Shortages tracker.

Zepbound is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, indicated for use as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, for chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m² or greater (obesity); or 27kg/m² or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least 1 weight-related comorbid condition (eg, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease). 

Currently, the 5mg/0.5mL and 12.5mg/0.5mL dosage strengths are in short supply due to an increase in demand for the drug. The 2.5mg/0.5mL, 7.5mg/0.5mL, 10mg/0.5mL, and 15mg/0.5mL strengths are still available.

The recommended starting dosage of Zepbound is 2.5mg injected subcutaneously (SC) once weekly. The 2.5mg dosage is for treatment initiation and is not intended for chronic weight management. After 4 weeks, the dosage is then increased to 5mg SC once weekly. Further increases may be considered based on response and tolerability and are done in 2.5mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose. The recommended maintenance dosages of Zepbound are 5mg, 10mg, or 15mg (maximum dosage) SC once weekly. The product is supplied in prefilled, single-dose pens.