Where and how to inject Zepbound: the best Zepbound injection sites
Key highlights
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a subcutaneous injection approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss in obese and overweight individuals.
- The single-dose injection or vial must be administered subcutaneously (under the skin) once every week, in the dose prescribed by your doctor. The upper arm, outer thigh, and abdomen are the recommended injection sites.
- There is no best location to inject Zepbound. All recommended injection sites offer similar absorption.
- In case you experience unusual reactions which do not go away for some time, speak to your healthcare provider for medical advice.
- Administer the injection properly to receive full benefit from each dose of Zepbound.
Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection is an FDA-approved drug for weight loss in individuals with obesity and overweight with at least one weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. Tirzepatide, the active ingredient of Zepbound, is a dual hormone receptor agonist that’s also available under the brand name Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes. It works on GLP-1 (glucagon-like-peptide 1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) hormone receptors to reduce appetite and regulate blood sugar levels (glucose).
Zepbound comes in single-dose pre-filled pens and vials for subcutaneous (under the skin) administration. Body parts with a considerable fatty layer are highly recommended sites for injection. Make sure to inject Zepbound properly to maximize benefits. Inform your healthcare practitioner immediately if you experience swelling, redness, or pain that does not go away.
Keep reading to learn more about the recommended injection sites for Zepbound and a step-by-step guide on how to inject Zepbound properly for the best results along with a low-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Where to inject Zepbound
You can inject Zepbound into the stomach, upper arm, and outer side of the upper thigh to ensure comfort and convenience. These sites are recommended because of their fatty layer that ensures that the medication absorbs readily into the bloodstream. Choose any of these sites for subcutaneous injection (under the skin) and rotate the location of administration every week to avoid injection site reactions.
Stomach: The stomach is the most common site of injection for Zepbound because of accessibility and the considerable fatty layer under the skin. When administering Zepbound into your abdomen, inject at least 2 inches away from the belly button as it has a connective tissue called fascia that cannot absorb medication. The area below your ribs and above the hip is the best spot in the abdomen to inject Zepbound.
Thigh: The outer area of the upper thigh is another choice for subcutaneous injection because of its easy reach and fatty layer for fast absorption.
Upper arm: Injecting Zepbound into the upper arm is suitable when someone else is administering the medication for you. Inject the subcutaneous injection 3 inches above the elbow and 3 inches below the shoulder, on the side or back.
What is the best place to inject Zepbound?
There’s no best place to inject Zepbound. Though the stomach has a thicker fatty layer and offers slightly better absorption than your thigh or arm, it does not make a significant difference. You can select any of the recommended sites of injection when administering your weekly dose. Rotating the site of injection on the next dose can prevent serious side effects like injection-site reactions.
How to inject Zepbound
You can inject Zepbound into your skin like you administer any other subcutaneous injection. Eli Lilly and Company’s Zepbound comes in single-dose injection pens and vials. The pen or syringe must be discarded after use.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on using pre-filled Zepbound pens and vials properly:
Pre-filled pen
1. Collect the items
Gathering the supplies before injecting Zepbound ensures that you have everything within reach. You’ll need:
- A new Zepbound pen
- Alcohol swabs
- Gauze pad
- Sharps disposal container
Also, take the injection out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before administering it to avoid stinging.
2. Clean the injection site
To administer the Zepbound injection, you first need to clean the injection site. Fold the piece of clothing (if any) covering the injection site. Clean the site of injection by following these steps:
- Wash and dry your hands or use a sanitizer
- Clean the site of injection with an alcohol swab
- Let it dry before injecting Zepbound; blowing to dry it faster can contaminate the disinfected area
3. Open the pre-filled injection pen
When you take the injection out of the refrigerator, make sure that the padlock symbol next to the purple button shows ‘locked.’ Moreover, check the expiration date, dose on the pen, and ensure that the pen is clear. You might see air bubbles in the medication and there’s no need to worry as they do not influence the efficacy of the weight loss drug.
If the injection is sealed and has a clear base, remove the gray safety cover to open it. Discard the gray base cap as putting it on again can damage the needle. Do not touch or clean drops of medication on the needle.
4. Inject Zepbound
Once the pen is ready, insert the needle into the site of injection and unlock it by turning the lock ring. When you twist it, you’ll see the open padlock symbol on the pen. If you prefer, pinch a fold of skin next to the injection site with the free hand. Now, press the purple button and hold the pen in place for 10 seconds to allow the injection to release all the components into the desired location.
You’ll hear two clicks when injecting Zepbound. The first click indicates that the pen has started injecting the drug, whereas the second click signals that the injection has finished. You’ll also see a gray plunger in the window once the injection is empty. Remove the injection pen slowly from your body after hearing the second click.
You might see a little blood or medication on the site of injection when you take out the needle, but it’s nothing to worry about. Use a gauze pad to gently dab the area to clean the blood and prevent further bleeding.
5. Discard the pen
Once you’ve injected the weekly dose, disposing of the Zepbound injection pen properly is critical to preventing harm to animals, kids, or anyone else in the house. Throw away the pen in the sharps disposal container carefully as directed by the manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Company. If you do not have a sharps container, use a sturdy plastic container with a spill-proof and puncture-resistant, tight-fitting lid to discard the injection.
Single-use vials
1. Gather essentials
When using a single-dose Zepbound vial instead of an injection pen, you’ll need the following:
- Zepbound vial
- A new syringe
- Alcohol swabs
- Gauze pad
- Sharps disposal container
2. Clean the injection site
Whether you inject Zepbound via the subcutaneous injection pen or vial, you need to clean the injection site to prevent infections. Firstly, wash your hands or use a sanitizer. Uncover the area by folding the piece of clothing covering it (if any) and use an alcohol swab to disinfect the injection location. Do not blow on the disinfected area with the intention to dry it faster as it can contaminate the injection site.
3. Prepare the vial and syringe
Place the single-use Zepbound vial on a flat surface and remove its plastic cap. Use a fresh alcohol swab to clean the rubber stopper around the cap.
Keeping the vial aside, take the syringe out of the packet and remove the protective covering from the needle. Hold the syringe barrel with the needle pointing up and pull the plunger down to 0.5 mL with the other hand.
Now, turn over the needle and push it through the vial’s rubber stopper. Press the plunger to release the air from the syringe into the vial, making it easier to draw the medication into the syringe.
Prepare the injection dose by turning the vial and syringe upside down while holding the vial in one hand and the syringe in the other. Pull the plunger down slightly past the 0.5 mL line. Gently tap the syringe if you see any air bubbles. Push the plunger to the 0.5 mL mark to get rid of the air. Once done, remove the syringe from the vial.
4. Inject the dose
Insert the needle of the syringe into your injection site at a 90-degree angle. Push the plunger down slowly to inject the drug into the body. Hold the syringe in place for five seconds before removing it to ensure all of the components of the medication have been transferred.
If you see blood on your skin after removing the syringe, don’t worry. Clean it gently with a cotton pad or dab the area with a gauze pad. Apply a bandage if needed.
5. Dispose of the vial and syringe
Dispose of the syringe into a sharps disposal container immediately to avoid harm to your kids or pets. Alternatively, you can use a heavy-duty, robust household container with a spill-proof and puncture-resistant lid. Discard both items in the sharps container or throw the vial in your regular trash.
Can Zepbound be frozen?
Zepbound must not be frozen. Freezing the medication can alter its composition, influencing how it may affect your body. You might not get the desired results with Zepbound when using it frozen or thawed out.
How to store Zepbound
It is crucial to store the medication according to the storage conditions shared by the manufacturer to get the maximum benefit. Here’s how to store Zepbound:
- Store Zepbound in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)
- Keep Zepbound in the original carton until use to protect it from heat and light
- If needed, Zepbound can be stored at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C) for up to 21 days
- Discard if not used within 21 days after keeping it at room temperature
- Do not store Zepbound in the freezer
Disposal of the used pen
Zepbound injection pens and syringes used with vials must be disposed of in the sharps disposal container to ensure everyone’s safety in the house. Throw away the items in FDA-approved sharps container or use a heavy-duty container with a spill-proof, puncture-resistant, tight-fitting lid to avoid spills.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you miss your Zepbound dose, take the missed dose within 4 days of the intended day of injection. If more than four days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the scheduled day. Do not take another dose within 72 hours (3 days) of the previous one.
How can I change the scheduled day to inject Zepbound?
You can change the scheduled day to inject Zepbound conveniently without changing the dose. Make sure to not take the scheduled dose if you took the last dose within the last three days. Select a new day to inject the next dose at least 3 days after the last Zepbound dose.
How do I make sure my pen works the right way?
Your Zepbound pen will make two click sounds when you press the purple button. The first click indicates that the injection has started, whereas the second click indicates that the injection has finished. The whole process takes around 10 seconds. If you hear a faint click within a few seconds, wait at least 10 seconds to hear the second click before taking the pen out of the skin. You’ll also see the gray plunger after Zepbound has been injected. If you’re using a syringe, the empty medicine vial indicates that all of the medicine has been administered.
What happens if I drop the pen?
Do not worry if you drop the closed injection pen unless it breaks from the fall. Before administering, make sure that it has the closed padlock sign. However, in case you drop the pen after opening it, discard it and use a new one as it can cause an infection.
Is it better to inject Zepbound in the thigh or stomach?
You can inject Zepbound in the thigh or the stomach according to your convenience. Although research in clinical trials show a higher ratio of Cmax in the abdomen (1.25) compared to 0.8 in the thighs, studies have concluded that absorption levels are similar in all three injection sites.
Does my pen need to be at room temperature when injecting?
The injection pen does not necessarily need to be at room temperature and you can inject it directly after taking it out of the refrigerator. However, leaving it on the shelf for 30 minutes brings Zepbound to room temperature, reducing the chances of stinging when you administer it.
Do I need to hold the injection button until I finish injecting?
You do not need to hold the injection button until you finish injecting as it does not make a difference once the injection starts. However, you must keep the pen in place for at least 10 seconds until the injection is finished.
What happens if I see air bubbles in my pen?
Air bubbles in Zepbound injection pen are common and you should not worry about them. Similarly, you might see air bubbles in the syringe when injecting Zepbound from the single-use vial. Tapping the syringe will bring the air bubbles to the top end and you can expel them by pressing the plunger gently.
What happens if I hear more than 2 clicks during my injection?
Sometimes, you might hear more than 2 clicks when injecting Zepbound. The extra click is usually a faint sound, but you should wait for a prominent click (typically 10 seconds later) that ensures you have injected all of the drug components into your body.
What happens if there is a drop of blood or liquid on my skin after injecting?
Seeing a drop of blood or medication on your skin after injecting is normal. It happens when the injection or syringe needle punctures a blood vessel or the medicine leaks out. Clean the area by dabbing with a gauze pad or cotton and use a bandage if needed.
Bottom line
Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection is an FDA-approved drug for weight management in obese (BMI equal to or more than 30) and overweight (BMI equal to or more than 27) individuals. It’s part of a new class of medications that include semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy). The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, indigestion, and injection site reactions.
The stomach, upper arm, and the outer side of the upper thigh are the recommended injection sites for Zepbound. Although research shows higher absorption in the abdomen, it does not make a significant difference.
For additional savings, you can apply for the Zepbound Savings Card or get compounded tirzepatide (the same active ingredient as Zepbound) at a fraction of the brand-name price through the NiceRx Weight Loss Program.
