Wegovy Just like with semaglutide, tirzepatide has two brand names: Mounjaro: FDA-approved for Type 2 Diabetes Maximum dose: 15 mg weekly Prescribed primarily for blood sugar control Zepbound: FDA-approved for weight management Same maximum dose: 15 mg weekly Marketed for obesity treatment The drugs are chemically identical, but the legal considerations mirror the Ozempic/Wegovy distinction: Different labels and warnings Different approved uses Potential off-label prescribing Different marketing claims Case Example: Tirzepatide Injury Patient Profile: 52-year-old woman with BMI 34 No diabetes, seeking weight loss Prescribed Zepbound, escalated to 15 mg Timeline: Month 1-3: Excellent weight loss (25 lbs), manageable nausea Month 4: Persistent vomiting began Month 5: Unable to eat solid food, lost 15 more lbs Month 6: Diagnosed with severe gastroparesis via gastric emptying scan Current: 12 months post-discontinuation, still cannot eat normally, requires liquid diet Legal Claim: Inadequate warnings about permanence of gastroparesis Marketing emphasized dramatic weight loss without proper risk disclosure Failure to inform that condition might not resolve after stopping Damages include ongoing medical care, lost wages, diminished quality of life 5
Semaglutide for Weight Loss In addition to helping with diabetes, semaglutide is approved for weight loss in people who are overweight or obese
FARXIGA (dapagliflozin) tablets, for oral use
Understanding their half lives, mechanism and side effects is crucial for anyone who will use them
These findings indicate that the peptides biological effects are not limited to pituitary GH secretion but may involve broader endocrine and metabolic pathways
PMCID: PMC1490020
