JumpstartMD Offers GLP-1 GIP (Zepbound^® / Active Ingredient Tirzepatide) Medication for Weight Loss

In early November, 2023, the combination GLP-1 GIP medication containing the active ingredient tirzepatide, previously known as Mounjaro^® as a medication FDA approved for type II diabetes treatment, was FDA approved for weight management under the brand name Zepbound^®. This represents an exciting new option for patients in combination with healthy lifestyle changes. (Learn more about each medication’s benefits and risks by visiting the manufacturer’s Prescribing Information webpage prior to starting any weight loss program.)

How does Zepbound^® (Active Ingredient Tirzepatide) Work?

Similar to Mounjaro^® (which also contains the active ingredient tirzepatide), Zepbound^® stimulates the body’s own GLP-1 and GIP receptors. Combination GLP-1 GIP medications are not stimulants like some older generation weight management medications nor habit forming. (Learn more about each medication’s benefits and risks by visiting the manufacturer’s Prescribing Information webpage prior to starting any weight loss program.)

How Effective is Zepbound^® (Active Ingredient Tirzepatide) for Weight Loss?

In a study published in JAMA (December 2023), Zepbound^® showed mean weight loss of over 25% after 88 weeks and mean weight loss of nearly 21% after 36 weeks. Needless to say, those are positive outcomes that impact not only weight and quality of life, but a host of weight associated diseases and headwinds for optimization of longevity.

How is Zepbound^® (Active Ingredient Tirzepatide) different from GLP-1 Medications like Wegovy^®?

Zepbound^® (active ingredient tirzepatide) and Mounjaro^® (active ingredient tirzepatide) distinguish themselves from pure GLP-1 agonists and prior generations of weight management medications, because they stimulate two receptors, both the native GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) AND GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) through one “peptide” (short protein) molecule. In so doing, they stimulate natural metabolic pathways that produce a variety of unique benefits to promote weight loss, health, and well-being. For more information, visit Zepbound^® | Eli Lily and Company and Mounjaro^® | Eli Lilly and Company.

GLP-1 (and GLP-1 GIP) benefits include:

• Slowing the time in which the stomach empties in ways that promote a sense of fullness, reduce hunger, and more
• Reduction in levels of the hormone glucagon to stabilize and reduce elevations in blood sugar
• Increase insulin sensitivity and enhance insulin secretion, particularly for insulin resistant people in whom that mechanism is broken
• Reduce hunger and cravings within the hunger center of the brain

Do GLP-1 and GIP “Peptides” Exist Naturally Within the Body?

Yes. Both GLP-1 and GIP peptides (short proteins) exist naturally within the body. They may help to restore healthy weights in combination with complimentary lifestyle changes.

What is the FDA Indication for Zepbound^® (Active Ingredient Tirzepatide)?

As of November 2023, Zepbound^® is FDA approved for weight management in people with a BMI > 30 or a BMI > 27 with at least one weight related co-morbidity (condition). Zepbound^® contains the active ingredient tirzepatide.

How Much Does Zepbound^® (Active Ingredient Tirzepatide) Cost and Are There Discounts?

The retail price of Zepbound^® which contains the active ingredient Tirzepatide, is $1,279 per month. We have a team of experts who can help members determine whether they may qualify for commercial card saving programs or insurance coverage. Oftentimes, a successful outcome in that pursuit leads to a $25 monthly cost for medication.

For those interested in GLP-1 insurance coverage or discounting, discuss options with your JumpstartMD clinician, and we can then partner to determine how best to proceed. You may also visit Savings Card, Cost & Coverage Support | Zepbound to learn more.

Why Use Medications Like Zepbound^® (Active Ingredient Tirzepatide) to Achieve and Sustain Superior Weight Loss and Health Improvement Outcomes?

It goes without saying that healthy lifestyle changes and behaviors are critical, central components of any sustainable weight loss and health journey. But let’s face it, losing weight and equally importantly, sustaining your healthier, lower weight once you get there, isn’t easy. In fact, in the above cited JAMA article on Zepbound^®, patients off medication regained 14% of their body weight within a year of discontinuing the medication.

Medication in Combination With Healthy Lifestyle Changes

The chronic disease of obesity and the abundant conditions associated with it are no different. Now with the help of 21st century medications such as Zepbound^® and other medications containing the active ingredient tirzepatide, we, at long last, have medications that, in combination with healthy lifestyle changes, can not only help people lose weight but can leverage those same lifestyle changes AND medication to keep it off. In so doing, they will also prevent and reverse a host of common and concerning diseases.

Weight Loss Maintenance With Your JumpstartMD Clinician

That’s a conversation on weight loss maintenance that you can have with your JumpstartMD clinician such that the two of you can partner, without judgment or shame, to determine what would make the most sense for YOU, both in terms of healthy lifestyle changes but also 21st century pharmacologic (medication) support, if and when needed, to sustain remarkable successes, prevent and reverse diseases, and support your longevity and long-term quality of life.

FAQ’s About GLP-1 GIP Combination Medications Like Zepbound^® and Those Containing the Active Ingredient Tirzepatide:

Q: Is GLP-1 GIP Medication like Zepbound^® an Injectable?

A: Yes. Zepbound^® is injected once weekly with an ultra-tiny needle and very simple, easily utilized delivery mechanism tolerated by even the most needle phobic in our experience. Other medications containing the active ingredient tirzepatide can also be simply delivered once weekly through a self-administered, painless subcutaneous injection.

Q: How frequent is the dosing?

A: Once a week. Pick a day.

Q: What if I have questions?

A: First, you’ll meet with your JumpstartMD clinician and during that visit, he or she can answer any questions you might have, whether then or in the future. Your Medical Team will discuss the details of your medication.

Q: What GLP-1 GIP brands do you prescribe?

A: Zepbound^® and Mounjaro^® are the only GLP-1 GIP medications on the market today. They have different FDA approval indications, weight management (BMI > 30 or > 27 with at least one weight related co-morbidity like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, or others) in the former and type II diabetes in the latter. For more information, visit Zepbound^® | Eli Lily and Company and Mounjaro^® | Eli Lilly and Company.

Q: Are medications required at JumpstartMD?

A: Starting at the first appointment, our members learn that losing weight – and keeping it off – is about making smart decisions based on nutritional science. Members lose an average of 26 pounds (12.6% of their starting weight) by month 6.

Weight management medications are by no means required to participate in a JumpstartMD weight management program. In fact, many of our members pursue their weight management journey without medication and our published outcomes study on over 22,000 members showed that they also do remarkably well. Nonetheless, that group is, to some degree self-selected, while we know that biology drives behavior along with excess weight and medication can positively influence the biology of both behavior and fat formation.

Research shows that, in combination with health coaching and lifestyle changes, new generation medications like Mounjaro^®, Zepbound^®, Wegovy^®, Ozempic^® and others can be both safe and extremely effective at promoting long term, successful weight loss. (Learn more about each medication’s benefits and risks by visiting the manufacturer’s Prescribing Information webpage prior to starting any weight loss program.)

Q: What happens if I am not eligible for a GLP-1 or GLP-1 GIP Savings Card or insurance coverage for expensive medication like Zepbound^®, Mounjaro^®, Wegovy^®, Ozempic^®, or another GLP-1?

A: : If your insurance won’t provide coverage for a GLP-1 or GLP-1 GIP agonist, fear not. Our clinicians can explore GLP-1 or GLP-1 GIP medications like those containing the active ingredients semaglutide or tirzepatide. Our clinicians are experts in medical weight management and have a host of medication options in their toolbox to help you to achieve and sustain your health and wellness goals.

Q: In addition to GLP-1’s like Wegovy^® and GLP-1 GIP’s like Zepbound^® or Mounjaro^® are there other effective weight management medication options available for interested and eligible JumpstartMD members?

A: Yes. If medications like Wegovy^® (which contains the active ingredient semaglutide), Zepbound^® or Mounjaro^® (which contain the active ingredient tirzepatide) are cost-prohibitive at full retail and are not on one’s insurance formulary or otherwise available on an insurance subsidized or savings program, there are other options that can also be prescribed either alone or in combination with the right individualized nutritional guidance and support. Moreover, for those who are not interested in complementing their healthy lifestyle changes with medication, our members who did not take medication were also clinically proven to achieve remarkable levels of weight loss through guidance founded on proven science and supported through a wonderful team of compassionate, motivational, and expert clinicians and health coaches.