FDA approves new weight loss drug Zepbound

On Wednesday, Nov. 8, the Food and Drug Administration approved Zepbound, a new weight loss drug by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. It’s the latest type 2 diabetes drug designed to improve blood sugar control that has been found to help with weight loss.

In light of increasing rates of both obesity and overweight in the United States, today’s approval addresses an unmet medical need.

John Sharretts, M.D.

Drugs in this class, like Ozempic and Wegovy, have flown off the shelves recently in the U.S. According to the FDA, 70% of adults in the U.S. are obese or overweight.

The FDA said Zepbound can help with weight loss and “addresses unmet medical needs.”

“Obesity and overweight are serious conditions that can be associated with some of the leading causes of death such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes,” said John Sharretts, M.D., director of the Division of Diabetes, Lipid Disorders, and Obesity in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “In light of increasing rates of both obesity and overweight in the United States, today’s approval addresses an unmet medical need.” 

Today, #FDAapproves a drug for chronic weight management in certain adult patients for use in addition to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity: https://t.co/eMoFiZkrd8

View prescribing information: https://t.co/UJlFR81KUK pic.twitter.com/IqkenvuDeP

— FDA Drug Information (@FDA_Drug_Info) November 8, 2023

“Obesity is a chronic disease that can result in serious health complications, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Despite our knowledge of obesity as a treatable, chronic disease, people living with obesity still face many challenges in their health and weight management journey,” said Joe Nadglowski, president and chief executive officer of the Obesity Action Coalition. “New treatment options bring hope to the many people with obesity who struggle with this disease and are seeking better options for weight management.”

Earlier this year, Eli Lilly released clinical trial results showing participants who were either obese or overweight with type 2 diabetes lost up to 15.7% of their body weight over 72 weeks of treatment.
The drug is expected to be available after Thanksgiving.