Key takeaways:
Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly weight-loss injection that can be taken with or without food. It’s OK to change your injection day as long as 3 days have passed since your last dose.
Common Zepbound side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach. These side effects usually get better as your body gets used to the medication. Certain lifestyle changes can help ease Zepbound side effects.
Keep Zepbound pens in their original container until you’re ready to use them. It’s best to store them in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F. You can also keep them unrefrigerated for up to 21 days.
There are ways to save on Zepbound. If you’re eligible, a manufacturer savings card could help you get Zepbound for as little as $25 per prescription.
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Zepbound (tirzepatide) is one of several weight-loss medications that have recently grown in popularity. In November 2023, the FDA approved Zepbound for weight loss in adults. About a year later, the agency also approved it to treat obstructive sleep apnea in adults with larger bodies. Zepbound works by lowering appetite and slowing the digestion of food.
If you’re just getting started with Zepbound, it’s normal to have questions. Top of mind may be whether there’s a best time of day to inject the medication and how to manage common side effects. Here are five pharmacist-backed tips for taking Zepbound injections for weight loss.
1. You don’t need to inject Zepbound with food
You can inject Zepbound with or without food; meals don’t affect how the weight-loss injections work in the body. But some people prefer to inject it around the same time as a meal to help them remember their doses.
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2. You can inject Zepbound at any time of day
Zepbound is a once-weekly injection that can be taken any time of day. Just make sure you’re injecting on the same day of the week each time. You can inject doses into your stomach area, thigh, or upper arm.
Before starting treatment with Zepbound, select a day of the week that works best with your regular routine. If you need help remembering which day you’re supposed to inject on, try writing your injection dates on a calendar or the box containing your Zepbound pens. You can also download a reminder app on your smartphone to help you remember when to take your medications. There are many free options available for download.
3. You can switch the day you inject Zepbound
The day of the week you originally choose for your Zepbound injections doesn’t have to be your permanent injection day. You have the option to switch your injections to a day of the week that’s more convenient, if needed. But there are instructions to follow if you’re going to change injection days.
Make sure you switch to a day that’s at least 3 days (72 hours) after your last dose. For example, if you normally inject Zepbound on Tuesday, you can safely switch to Friday as your new injection day. Don’t take more than two doses within 3 days of each other.
It’s a good idea to reach out to your prescriber or pharmacist before switching injection days. They can provide a schedule that’s safe for you to follow and tailored to your unique health needs.
4. There are ways to manage nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach caused by Zepbound
Zepbound has side effects that are similar to those of other weight-loss injections, such as Wegovy (semaglutide). Its common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and heartburn. Many people experience these side effects when they first start taking Zepbound or after their dosage is increased.
For many people, these side effects are usually mild and get better as they continue to take the medication. But in the meantime, there are at-home strategies to help ease symptoms. Below are some tips to help you manage common Zepbound side effects.
Side effect | Management strategies | Things to avoid |
|---|---|---|
• Eating smaller meals • Staying well hydrated • Drinking ginger or peppermint tea | • Eating fatty foods • Eating spicy foods | |
• Staying well hydrated • Eating bland foods for a few days | • Eating spicy and greasy foods • Eating high-fiber foods • Drinking alcohol | |
• Eating smaller meals • Sleeping propped up on pillows (or with a wedge pillow) • Wearing loose-fitting clothing | • Lying down right after meals • Eating salty snacks or chocolate • Drinking carbonated beverages |
Contact your medical care team if you have side effects that don’t improve or become severe.
5. It’s best to store Zepbound in the fridge
Zepbound comes as a box of four pre-filled syringes. It also comes as single-use vials. It’s ideal to store Zepbound in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F. When stored in the fridge, it should last until the manufacturer’s expiration date that’s printed on the box and pens or vials.
You can also keep Zepbound unrefrigerated (up to 86°F) for up to 21 days. But don’t use pens or vials after they’ve been unrefrigerated for longer than this. And don’t put Zepbound back into the refrigerator once it’s come to room temperature.
Whether they're in the fridge or not, you should store your Zepbound pens or vials in their original box until you’re ready to use them. This box helps protect the medication from being exposed to light.
Don’t freeze Zepbound. And don’t use it if it’s been frozen. If your Zepbound pens or vials do become frozen, you should throw them away. Be sure to discard the pens in a sharps container. If you don’t have a sharps container, you can use a heavy duty plastic container, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Zepbound vials can be thrown away in your normal trash.
How to save on Zepbound
There are ways to save on Zepbound, which is available as a brand-name medication. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $25 per prescription through the manufacturer’s copay savings program. If your plan doesn’t cover Zepbound, you may be able to pay $650 for a 1-month supply. Lower-cost single-dose vials are also available through LillyDirect for $349 (2.5 mg) and $499 (5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg and 15 mg) per month.
The bottom line
Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly weight-loss injection. It’s also FDA approved for obstructive sleep apnea in certain adults. You can inject Zepbound with or without food at any time of day. Just make sure to inject it on the same day of the week each time. You can change the day you inject Zepbound on as long as the doses are separated by at least 3 days.
Nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach are common Zepbound side effects. Typically, these side effects are mild and get better over time. Lifestyle changes, such as eating smaller meals, can often help ease side effects. Contact your prescriber or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t resolve or become worse.
Ideally, you should store Zepbound pens or vials in the refrigerator and in their original box. Be sure to throw away any Zepbound that has been frozen or kept unrefrigerated for more than 21 days.
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References
Eli Lilly and Company. (2025). Zepbound - tirzepatide injection, solution [package insert].].
MedlinePlus. (2025). Tirzepatide injection.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). FDA approves new medication for chronic weight management.
