Tirzepatide, a promising weight loss drug, is expected to be approved by the FDA in 2023. Find out all about this treatment below.
About Trizepatide: The revolutionary weight loss drug that celebrities use
Tirzepatide, an investigational drug developed by Eli Lilly, is expected to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of obesity in 2023. The drug, which is administered by weekly injection, is already approved by the FDA under the name Mounjaro for the treatment of diabetes. In clinical trials, Tirzepatide has been shown to significantly reduce body weight and improve glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes.
Tirzepatide is a dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are involved in appetite control and glucose regulation. It has been shown to be more effective than other weight loss drugs, such as Wegovy and Saxenda, because it mimics two appetite-regulating hormones. In a clinical trial, participants who took a higher dosage of Tirzepatide lost up to 22.5% of their body weight, or about 52 pounds, over the course of 72 weeks.
If approved for the treatment of obesity, Tirzepatide has the potential to achieve record annual sales of $48 billion, according to an estimate from Bank of America analyst Geoff Meacham. Another Wall Street analyst, Colin Bristow at UBS, estimated the drug would reach $25 billion in annual sales – a figure that would still surpass the record $20.7 billion set by AbbVie’s rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira in 2021.
While the potential for significant sales is attractive for Eli Lilly, it is unclear whether insurance will cover the use of Tirzepatide for the treatment of obesity. Lower doses used to treat diabetes are generally covered by insurance, but it is possible that higher doses used for weight loss may not be.
The cost of Tirzepatide for the treatment of obesity is also a concern. While Kelly Smith, a spokesperson for Eli Lilly, declined to comment on the price of the drug, outside experts have speculated that it could be priced similarly to Wegovy and Saxenda, which carry list prices of around $1,500 and $1,350 per month supply, respectively. Dr. David Rind, the Chief Medical Officer for the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, estimates that a “fair” price for Tirzepatide could be around $13,000 annually or around $1,100 per month.
Tirzepatide has been shown to be effective in promoting weight loss, but it is important to note that it is not without drawbacks. The most common side effects of the drug are nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. It is also important to remember that Tirzepatide is not yet approved for use and further research is needed to determine its safety and effectiveness.
