Overview
- The FDA approved a label expansion allowing Zepbound (tirzepatide) to be used with a four-dose KwikPen that provides a month of once-weekly injections in one device, available in six strengths from 2.5 mg to 15 mg.
- Lilly began U.S. availability on Feb. 23 via its LillyDirect platform for eligible cash-paying patients, with the 2.5 mg starter dose priced at $299 per month.
- Patients using LillyDirect can choose the new multi-dose pen or existing single-dose autoinjectors or vials at the same self-pay starter price, according to the company.
- Clinical trials have shown average weight loss up to 20.9% over 72 weeks versus placebo, with common gastrointestinal side effects and rare risks such as thyroid tumors and pancreatitis noted in safety warnings.
- The rollout reinforces Zepbound’s lead in U.S. prescription weight-loss drugs as recent reports cited better average weight loss with tirzepatide than Novo Nordisk’s experimental CagriSema in a head-to-head comparison.