According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump's envoy John Cole offered Lukashenka a weight loss drug called Zepbound. We tell you what kind of drug it is.
Photo: Putin's press service
Zepbound is a new generation of prescription drugs for long-term weight management. Its manufacturer is a major American pharmaceutical corporation, Eli Lilly. A wider audience is more familiar with "Ozempic", but Zepbound is often perceived as a more modern and, in many cases, more effective weight loss drug, as it has shown very significant results in body weight reduction in studies.
The main active ingredient in Zepbound is tirzepatide. The uniqueness of this substance is that it acts simultaneously on two types of receptors related to appetite and metabolism regulation: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
Photo: dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
This dual mechanism of action helps to reduce hunger, enhance feelings of fullness, slow down gastric emptying, and consequently decrease the number of calories a person consumes. Simultaneously, the drug can improve indicators related to blood sugar control — this is one reason why such medications began as treatments for people with diabetes but quickly became key in the fight against obesity.
How to Use
The drug is available in the form of single-use injectable pens (autoinjectors) for subcutaneous administration. The patient self-administers the injection once a week — into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm area.
Treatment always begins with a minimum dose of 2.5 milligrams to allow the body to adapt and to reduce the likelihood of unpleasant side effects, primarily those related to digestion. The dose is then gradually increased — usually at intervals of no less than four weeks — until a maintenance level is reached. This level may vary depending on tolerability and effect, but the maximum dose is 15 milligrams per week.
It is important to understand that Zepbound is not a short-term solution. It is intended for chronic weight management, and in practice, treatment can last for months and years. Studies and observations show that after discontinuing such injections, weight can often return, so the duration of therapy is determined individually and largely depends on how well a person can maintain the results without pharmacological support. The availability of this medication is limited not only by its prescription status but also by its high cost.
In the United States, the official estimated cost of a monthly course can exceed a thousand dollars.
Side Effects
However, high efficacy also comes with risks. The instructions for Zepbound warn of a wide range of side effects. Clinical trials have shown that the vast majority of patients experience gastrointestinal reactions.
The most common complaint is nausea, experienced by 25% to 29% of patients depending on the dosage (compared to 8% in the placebo group). Diarrhea (19—23%) and vomiting (8—13%) are also very common among patients.
In addition, some experience bowel problems such as constipation (11—17%) and increased gas or flatulence (3—4%). Patients may experience abdominal cramps and pain (9—10%), general indigestion or dyspepsia (9—10%), and also suffer from persistent burping (4—5%). In some cases, abdominal bloating (3—4%) is observed.
Beyond the digestive system, Zepbound can affect overall well-being and appearance. For instance, 5% to 7% of study participants reported severe fatigue, and hair loss was recorded in 4—5% of cases. Injection site reactions such as redness or itching (6—8%), dizziness (4—5%), and a slight decrease in blood pressure (1—2%) are also possible.
Contraindications
More dangerous complications include the risk of pancreatitis and gallbladder problems — especially with rapid weight loss. Additionally, there are serious warnings regarding the thyroid gland: animal studies have reported an increased risk of thyroid C-cell tumors.
Therefore, the drug is contraindicated for individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, as well as those with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 syndrome (MEN-2). This is one of the key safety points that requires particular attention from patients and doctors.
Thus, the drug, which in public history became a peculiar "bridge" in informal communication between Cole and Lukashenka, is in reality a serious medical agent. It can provide a significant effect in weight reduction, but it requires not only considerable financial investment but also responsible use under the supervision of specialists.
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