Here’s some useful information on what to expect when starting Zepbound.
How the medication works
GLP-1s are powerful, naturally-occurring hormones in your body that send signals to your brain to improve your metabolic function and regulate your appetite and digestion. The GLP-1 medications that Calibrate clinicians prescribe work on the same receptors as the natural GLP-1 hormones.
The GLP-1s you’ll be taking through Calibrate will help your body to fight the natural increases in appetite and hunger that occur as you begin to lose weight. GLP-1s are different from older classes of weight loss medications (like phentermine) because they work on key underlying metabolic pathways to support sustained weight loss and are not a quick fix.
Why injectables?
We prescribe injectables because clinical studies show they’re more effective than pills for weight loss. You’ll administer your GLP-1 medication yourself through an injection pen in your thigh, abdomen, or upper arm.
While this may sound scary, most members actually report it being painless, quick, and easy. The needle is extremely small and thin—significantly smaller than those used for shots at the doctor’s office—and also because you’re injecting it directly under the skin instead of into muscle, which is also different from the shots you’re probably used to.
Here are a few high-level items to keep in mind, and for further information, please watch the instructions for administering Zepbound.
How to take it
You can take the medication with or without food and at any time during the day. Also, store your pen in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. If you aren’t able to refrigerate your pen, Zepbound can be stored at room temperature for up to 21 days. Discard the pen without using it if you haven’t used it after 21 days at room temperature.
There are 6 doses for Zepbound: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and the maximum dose is 15 mg weekly.
Zepbound comes in six different single-dose pen formulations, and each dose is labeled with a different color.
If you have been prescribed Zepbound vials, please refer to the instructions from the Calibrate Clinical Team that were sent to you within the app.
What to expect
To help minimize side effects, you’ll start at the lowest dose—that’s 2.5 mg weekly. After four weeks, increase to 5 mg weekly and continue that dose.
Dose changes may be made gradually depending on your weight loss progress and how well you respond to treatment. If appropriate, and if you tolerate it without problems, your clinical team may suggest increasing the dose to improve results.
If a higher dose is recommended, the dose increase schedule continues as noted below:
How do I inject?
Single-dose Zepbound comes in a pen that’s simple to use. We recommend changing the site each week to minimize the potential of a skin reaction. This video will walk you through injecting single-dose Zepbound step-by-step.
If you have any further questions about how to take your medication, send a message to your Calibrate Clinical Team through the Calibrate app and they’ll be happy to walk you through the process.
The medication works just like the original Zepbound single-dose pens referenced above. The big change is that Zepbound Kwikpen is a multi-dose pen.
How to take it
Just like the original Zepbound single-dose pen, you’ll administer your GLP-1 medication yourself through an injection pen in your thigh, abdomen, or upper arm.
You can take the medication with or without food and at any time during the day. Also, store your pen in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. If you aren’t able to refrigerate your pen, Zepbound Kwikpen can be stored at room temperature for up to 30 days. Discard the pen without using it if you haven’t used it after 30 days at room temperature.
Zepbound KwikPen is a multi-dose single-patient-use prefilled pen.
What to expect
The Zepbound KwikPen is available in 6 different strengths and each KwikPen contains 4 fixed doses. Typical Starting Medication Plan:
To help minimize side effects, you’ll start at the lowest dose—that’s 2.5 mg weekly. After four weeks, you'll increase to 5 mg weekly and continue that dose.
Dose changes may be made gradually depending on your weight loss progress and how well you respond to treatment. If appropriate, and if you tolerate it without problems, your clinical team may suggest increasing the dose to improve results.
If a higher dose is recommended, the dose increase schedule continues as noted below:
You will require new pen needles for each injection. A prescription for pen needles will be provided at the time of the Zepbound Kwikpen prescription.
How do I inject?
To show you exactly how to use the pen and perform your injections, please refer to this page and watch this video. The step-by-step instructions have been compiled by the makers of Zepbound, the medication you will be taking.
If you have any further questions about how to take your medication, send a message to your Calibrate Clinical Team through the Calibrate app and they’ll be happy to walk you through the process.
How do GLP-1s work?
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) is a hormone naturally produced by your small intestine. The GLP-1 medications work on the same receptors as your natural GLP-1 hormone to control feelings of hunger and fullness and regulate blood sugar. Mechanistically, GLP-1s address biology in a way that helps lower your weight set point.
Is it painful?
While an injectable seems scary and sounds painful to many individuals, it’s actually easy to use, and your Calibrate Clinical Team will walk you through all the steps. After starting, most patients report that it’s easier than taking a pill, and it doesn’t hurt. The needle is extremely small and hidden in the pen so you can barely see it when injecting.
What are common side effects?
Many individuals do not experience side effects with this medication, but when they do occur, the most common include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort.
Nausea is the most frequently reported and usually improves within a few weeks as your body adjusts. To help reduce nausea, try eating blander foods, having smaller meals, and staying active. For any changes in bowel movements, increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables or taking a fiber supplement such as Metamucil or Benefiber may help. It’s important not to increase your dose faster than recommended, as the dosing schedule is designed to minimize side effects.
If you have concerns about side effects or experience intolerable side effects after a dose increase, please message the Clinical Team via the Support Center in the app to discuss possibly returning to your previous dose. With guidance from the Clinical Team, you may stay on the lower dose for a few additional weeks before increasing again.
In the event of a medical emergency—such as severe abdominal pain, which is very uncommon—call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room, and notify your Calibrate Clinical Team through the Support Center when you are able.
Will I develop any redness around the injection site?
Redness around the injection site is common and will go away. We recommend rotating the injection site and never using the same needle twice in a row. If you choose to inject in the same area (e.g.,. abdomen), always use a different spot. If the area becomes painful and/or swollen, let us know right away by messaging your Clinical Team in the Calibrate app.
What if I forgot to take it on the day I’m supposed to or I want to change the day I inject?
If you miss a dose of Zepbound, take the missed dose as soon as possible within five days after you missed the dose. If more than five days have passed, skip the missed dose and take it again on your regularly scheduled day.
The day of weekly administration can be changed if necessary, as long as the time between the two doses is at least 3 days (72 hours).
If you experience a lapse in Zepbound for more than 2 weeks, please send the Clinical Team a message for guidance on restarting your medication as dosage adjustments might be needed.
Where do I store the pens?
Keep your unopened Zepbound pens in the refrigerator.
What do I do with the needles after the pen is used up?
You can place the entire original Zepbound pen OR the Kwikpen pen needles into any large empty container (i.e. detergent, milk, or water container) and drop it off at the pharmacy when full.
How do I travel with the medication?
You can travel with unopened pens in your suitcase. Put them in the fridge when you get to your destination. See the Tracking, Medications, and More for Travel Guide for more information on traveling while doing Calibrate.
How long does it take for the medication to work?
It usually takes a couple of weeks of titrating up on the medication before you start losing weight, but you may notice that you feel full longer within the first week.
Is there a risk of developing thyroid cancer?
We do not recommend GLP-1s if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN syndrome. But for everyone else, there are no human studies that show an increased risk of thyroid cancer.