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Zepbound ® (tirzepatide) injection
2.5 mg/ 5 mg/ 7.5 mg/ 10 mg/ 12.5 mg/ 15 mg
This information is provided in response to your request. Resources may contain information about doses, uses, formulations and populations different from product labeling. See Prescribing Information above, if applicable.
Can adults with obesity or overweight taking Zepbound® (tirzepatide) also take oral contraceptives?
Yes, however, people using oral contraceptives should be advised to switch to a nonoral contraceptive method or add a barrier method of contraception for 4 weeks after initiation and for 4 weeks after each dose escalation.
See important safety information, including boxed warning, in the attached prescribing information.
Prescribing Information Related to Oral Contraceptives
Tirzepatide delays gastric emptying. The impact of tirzepatide on gastric emptying was greatest after a single dose of 5 mg and diminished after subsequent doses.1
Because tirzepatide delays gastric emptying, it has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications, including oral contraceptives.1
This effect on gastric emptying is also seen with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.2,3
The recommendation to add/switch contraceptive methods at initiation or escalation of the dose of tirzepatide is based on the results of a drug-drug interaction study. That study reflects the effect of a single 5 mg dose of tirzepatide on oral contraceptive absorption and does not take into account tachyphylaxis with repeated dosing.1
Caution should be exercised when oral medications are concomitantly administered with tirzepatide.1
Use of tirzepatide may reduce the efficacy of oral hormonal contraceptives due to delayed gastric emptying. This delay is largest after the first dose and diminishes over time.1
Hormonal contraceptives that are not administered orally should not be affected.1
Use of tirzepatide may reduce the efficacy of oral hormonal contraceptives due to delayed gastric emptying. This delay is largest after the first dose and diminishes over time.1
Patients using oral hormonal contraceptives should be advised to switch to a non-oral contraceptive method or add a barrier method of contraception for 4 weeks after initiation and for 4 weeks after each dose escalation with tirzepatide.1
Enclosed Prescribing Information
ZEPBOUND® (tirzepatide) injection, for subcutaneous use, Lilly
1. Zepbound [package insert]. Indianapolis, IN: Eli Lilly and Company; 2024.
2. Saxenda [package insert]. Plainsboro, NJ: Novo Nordisk Inc; 2024.
3. Wegovy [package insert]. Plainsboro, NJ: Novo Nordisk Inc; 2024.
Date of Last Review: November 02, 2024