Zepbound (tirzepatide), the most prescribed weight management medication in 2025, now available in multi-dose KwikPen
Rhea-AI Summary
Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) announced FDA approval of a four-dose, single-patient Zepbound KwikPen that delivers a month of treatment in one device. The KwikPen joins single-dose vials and is available by prescription with LillyDirect self-pay pricing starting at $299/month for 2.5 mg. Clinical highlights cited include SURMOUNT-1 (15 mg: 20.9% mean weight loss at 72 weeks) and SURMOUNT-5 (average 50 lb loss vs 33 lb with comparator).
The release reiterates safety warnings, dosing options (2.5–15 mg) and contraindications for MTC and MEN 2.
Positive
- FDA label expansion approved for multi-dose KwikPen
- Self-pay pricing starts at $299 per month for 2.5 mg
- SURMOUNT-1: 20.9% mean weight loss at 72 weeks (15 mg)
- SURMOUNT-5: 50 lb average weight loss reported versus 33 lb comparator
- 1 million+ patients accessed LillyDirect in 2025
Negative
- Boxed safety risk: potential for thyroid tumors including thyroid cancer
- Contraindicated with personal/family history of MTC or MEN 2
- 2.5 mg is a starting dose and not an approved maintenance dose
Market Reaction – LLY
Following this news, LLY has gained 3.63%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Our momentum scanner has triggered 25 alerts so far, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. The stock is currently trading at $1046.14. This price movement has added approximately $34.57B to the company's valuation.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus (15 min delayed). Upgrade to Silver for real-time data.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
LLY was down 1.34% with peers mostly flat to modestly negative (ABBV -0.02%, JNJ -1.61%, AZN -1.05%, NVS 0%, NVO -0.56%). Momentum data flagged NVO with a larger -15.33% move in the opposite direction of the scanner’s target direction, suggesting company-specific rather than broad sector dynamics around this Zepbound KwikPen news.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 19 | Crohn’s data update | Positive | -0.2% | Long-term Omvoh data showing high steroid-free and clinical remission rates. |
| Feb 18 | Phase 3b trial data | Positive | -1.5% | Taltz plus Zepbound combo met primary and key secondary endpoints in psoriasis. |
| Feb 17 | CRISPR milestone | Positive | -0.4% | Second success milestone in in vivo CRISPR collaboration with Scribe Therapeutics. |
| Feb 16 | Conference participation | Neutral | -0.4% | Announcement of upcoming TD Cowen health care conference fireside chat appearance. |
| Feb 09 | Acquisition announcement | Positive | -1.3% | Agreement to acquire Orna Therapeutics for up to $2.4B to advance cell therapies. |
Recent positive clinical, partnership, and acquisition news for LLY has been followed by modest negative 24-hour price reactions, indicating a pattern of selling or consolidation on good news.
Over the past few weeks, LLY reported several positive developments, including durable Omvoh remission data in Crohn’s disease on Feb 19, strong Phase 3b TOGETHER-PsO results for Taltz plus Zepbound on Feb 18, and a CRISPR collaboration milestone with Scribe on Feb 17. The company also announced participation in TD Cowen’s conference and an acquisition of Orna Therapeutics for up to $2.4 billion. Despite these favorable updates, each event saw a small negative 24-hour price reaction, similar to today’s divergence.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement expands Zepbound’s label to include a four-dose KwikPen that provides a month of therapy in one device, while keeping self-pay pricing starting at $299 per month via LillyDirect. The news highlights strong efficacy data from SURMOUNT trials and growing adoption, with over 1 million LillyDirect patients in 2025. Investors may track prescription mix between vials and KwikPen, real-world adherence and safety, and how this convenience feature supports Zepbound’s competitive standing.
Key Terms
glp-1 receptor agonist medical
obstructive sleep apnea medical
osa medical
placebo medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Used by millions of patients worldwide, the KwikPen® for single-patient use provides patients with a new option to receive Zepbound®
Zepbound patients can access all doses in either multi-dose KwikPen or single-dose vial at the same self-pay price, starting at
"Zepbound is the #1 prescribed injectable obesity‑management medication,3 helping adults achieve meaningful and clinically proven weight loss, on average, up to 50 pounds as seen in SURMOUNT-5," said Ilya Yuffa, executive vice president and president of Lilly
In 2025, over 1 million patients accessed Lilly treatments through LillyDirect,4 which offers self-pay pricing at a
"After trying so many times to lose weight over the years, I'm grateful I talked to my doctor about Zepbound," said Jacob M., Zepbound patient and LillyDirect customer. "Along with diet and exercise, Zepbound has helped me make real, lasting progress. And LillyDirect made getting the medicine simple, from filling my prescription to home delivery. I feel supported at every step of my weight loss journey."
The demand for Zepbound highlights its strong efficacy profile. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, adults taking Zepbound 15 mg lost an average of
Zepbound is an injectable prescription medicine that may help adults with obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems, to lose excess body weight and keep the weight off. Zepbound may also help adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity to improve their OSA. Zepbound contains tirzepatide and should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. It is not known whether Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children.
Zepbound is available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or 15 mg doses. The 2.5 mg is a starting dose and not an approved maintenance dose. The recommended maintenance doses are 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg injected subcutaneously once per week for weight reduction and long-term maintenance. The recommended maintenance doses are 10 mg or 15 mg for OSA.
Individual results vary. Zepbound is not for cosmetic weight loss. Zepbound may cause tumors in the thyroid, including thyroid cancer. Watch for possible symptoms, such as a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing or shortness of breath. If you have any of these symptoms, tell your health care provider. Do not use Zepbound if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Do not use Zepbound if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Do not use Zepbound if you have had a serious allergic reaction to tirzepatide or any of the ingredients in Zepbound.
About Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection
Zepbound is the first and only dual GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist obesity medication. Zepbound tackles an underlying cause of excess weight. It reduces appetite and how much you eat. Zepbound is indicated for adults with obesity, or some adults who are overweight and also have at least one weight-related medical problem, to lose weight and keep it off. Additionally, Zepbound is FDA-approved to treat adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea and obesity. Zepbound should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Zepbound contains tirzepatide and should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children.
About SURMOUNT-1
Throughout the 72 week clinical trial, people who took Zepbound sustained weight loss—whether taking the 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg dose along with diet and exercise. In a 72-week study of adults without diabetes, average weight loss was
About SURMOUNT-5
SURMOUNT-5 was a 72-week, multi-center, randomized, open-label, Phase 3b trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Zepbound (tirzepatide) compared with injectable Wegovy (semaglutide) in adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one of the following comorbidities: hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or cardiovascular disease, who did not have diabetes. Data collected in a less rigorous study so findings are less certain. Factors beyond studied medications may have contributed to weight loss. In the 72-week study participants on Zepbound Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) (10 mg or 15 mg, the max dose a participant could tolerate) experienced on average a
About LillyDirect
LillyDirect is a digital health platform designed to connect people living with chronic conditions to the care, support, and prescribed medicines they need. The platform brings together disease specific resources, access to independent healthcare providers, and convenient pharmacy services to help patients navigate their care. Prescription fulfillment through LillyDirect is open to all
INDICATIONS AND SAFETY SUMMARY WITH WARNINGS
Zepbound® (ZEHP-bownd) is an injectable prescription medicine used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help adults with:
- obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems, to lose excess body weight and keep the weight off.
- moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity to improve their OSA.
Zepbound contains tirzepatide and should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children.
Warnings - Zepbound may cause tumors in the thyroid, including thyroid cancer. Watch for possible symptoms, such as a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. If you have any of these symptoms, tell your healthcare provider.
- Do not use Zepbound if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
- Do not use Zepbound if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
- Do not use Zepbound if you have had a serious allergic reaction to tirzepatide or any of the ingredients in Zepbound.
KwikPen®: Do not share your KwikPen with other people, even if the pen needle has been changed. You may give other people a serious infection or get a serious infection from them.
Zepbound may cause serious side effects, including:
Severe stomach problems. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Zepbound. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away.
Dehydration leading to kidney problems. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration.
Gallbladder problems. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people who use Zepbound. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get symptoms of gallbladder problems, which may include pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools.
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Zepbound and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back.
Serious allergic reactions. Stop using Zepbound and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting or feeling dizzy, or very rapid heartbeat.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Your risk for getting low blood sugar may be higher if you use Zepbound with medicines that can cause low blood sugar, such as a sulfonylurea or insulin. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, sweating, confusion or drowsiness, headache, blurred vision, slurred speech, shakiness, fast heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, mood changes, hunger, weakness or feeling jittery.
Changes in vision in patients with type 2 diabetes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Zepbound.
Depression or thoughts of suicide. You should pay attention to changes in your mood, behaviors, feelings or thoughts. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you.
Food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Zepbound may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Zepbound before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures.
Common side effects
The most common side effects of Zepbound include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdominal) pain, indigestion, injection site reactions, feeling tired, allergic reactions, belching, hair loss, and heartburn. These are not all the possible side effects of Zepbound. Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or doesn't go away.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effects. You can report side effects at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Before using Zepbound
- Your healthcare provider should show you how to use Zepbound before you use it for the first time.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about low blood sugar and how to manage it. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking medicines to treat diabetes including an insulin or sulfonylurea.
- If you take birth control pills by mouth, talk to your healthcare provider before you use Zepbound. Birth control pills may not work as well while using Zepbound. Your healthcare provider may recommend another type of birth control for 4 weeks after you start Zepbound and for 4 weeks after each increase in your dose of Zepbound.
Review these questions with your healthcare provider:
❑ Do you have other medical conditions, including problems with your pancreas, or severe problems with your stomach, such as slowed emptying of your stomach (gastroparesis) or problems digesting food?
❑ Do you take diabetes medicines, such as insulin or sulfonylureas?
❑ Do you have a history of diabetic retinopathy?
❑ Are you scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)?
❑ Do you take any other prescription medicines or over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or herbal supplements?
❑ Are you pregnant, plan to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed? Zepbound may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while using Zepbound. Zepbound may pass into your breast milk. You should talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while using Zepbound.
- Pregnancy Exposure Registry: There will be a pregnancy exposure registry for women who have taken Zepbound during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can take part in this registry, or you may contact Lilly at 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979).
How to take
- Read the Instructions for Use that come with Zepbound.
- Use Zepbound exactly as your healthcare provider says.
- Use Zepbound with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- Inject Zepbound under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach (abdomen), thigh, or have another person inject in the back of the upper arm. Do not inject ZEPBOUND into a muscle (intramuscularly) or vein (intravenously).
- Use Zepbound 1 time each week, at any time of the day.
- Change (rotate) your injection site with each weekly injection. Do not use the same site for each injection.
If you take too much Zepbound, call your healthcare provider, call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
Zepbound is approved as a 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg injection.
Learn more
Zepbound is a prescription medicine. For more information, call 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979) or go to www.zepbound.lilly.com.
This summary provides basic information about Zepbound but does not include all information known about this medicine. Read the information that comes with your prescription each time your prescription is filled. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about Zepbound and how to take it. Your healthcare provider is the best person to help you decide if Zepbound is right for you.
ZP CON BS Q12026
Zepbound®, its delivery device base and KwikPen® are registered trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.
Endnotes and References
*Starting at
- The price of Zepbound is the same for both KwikPen and single-dose vials with Zepbound Self Pay Journey Program. Terms apply. Taxes and fees may apply.
- At this time, Zepbound KwikPen is only available through LillyDirect Pharmacy for new or existing self-pay patients.
- Based on IQVIA® National Prescription Audit Data, representing
94% of US prescription data as of January 10, 2025. - Data on file.
- Based on IQVIA® National Prescription Audit Data, representing
94% of US prescription data as of December 2025.
About Lilly
Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/news, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. P-LLY
Trademarks and Trade Names
All trademarks or trade names referred to in this press release are the property of the company, or, to the extent trademarks or trade names belonging to other companies are references in this press release, the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this press release are referred to without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that the company or, to the extent applicable, their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, the company's or their rights thereto. We do not intend the use or display of other companies' trademarks and trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), including statements about the supply and access of Zepbound (tirzepatide) as a treatment for adults with obesity or overweight and reflects Lilly's current belief and expectations. However, as with any pharmaceutical product, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of drug research, development, and commercialization. Among other things, there can be no guarantee that future study results will be consistent with the results to date, that Zepbound will receive additional regulatory approvals, or that Lilly will execute its strategy as planned. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see Lilly's most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release.
CMAT-05134 2/2026 ©Lilly
Refer to: | Rachel Sorvig; sorvig_rachel@lilly.com; 317-607-7507 (Media) |
Michael Czapar; czapar_michael_c@lilly.com; 317-617-0983 (Investors) |
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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company
FAQ
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