FDA approves new weight loss drug Zepbound
>>> THE FDA TODAY GREENLIT ANOTHER WEIGHT LOSS DRUG, JOINING A MARKET THAT'S ALREADY BOOMING. STEPHANIE GOSK NOW ON WHY THIS NEW DRUG MAY BE THE MOST PROMISING YET. >> Reporter: WEIGHT LOSS TREATMENT IS GOING THROUGH A REVOLUTION, AND TODAY IT ENTERS A NEW STAGE. THE FDA APPROVING A NEW DRUG FOR OBESITY. ZEPBOUND MADE BY ELIE LILLY. >> WITH THE HIGHEST DOSE OVER 90% OF PATIENTS HAD WEIGHT LOSS, WHICH MEANS IT'S INCREDIBLY EFFECTIVE FOR ALMOST EVERYONE. >> Reporter: IN CLINICAL TRIALS AFTER 72 WEEKS OBESE PATIENTS TAKING ZEPBOUND LOST MORE THAN 40 POUNDS, AND MOST EXPERIENCED ONLY MINOR GASTROINTESTINAL SIDE EFFECTS. PRICED $1,000 A MONTH, THE WEEKLY INJECTION MIMICS A HORMONE THAT CURBS APPETITE AND FOOD INTAKE LIKE THE DRUGS ALREADY ON THE MARKET. BUT IT ALSO MIMICS ANOTHER HORMONE THAT MAY IMPROVE HOW THE BODY BREAKS DOWN SUGAR AND FAT.
THE MEDICATION IS ALREADY BEING SOLD AS THE DIABETES DRUG MUNJARO. >> MY STARTING WEIGHT WAS 365 POUNDS. >> Reporter: AND WHAT DO YOU WEIGH NOW? >> NOW I WEIGH 240 POUNDS. >> Reporter: WOW, THAT'S PRETTY REMARKABLE. 30-YEAR-OLD ALEXIS MITCHELL IS NOT DIABETIC BUT HER DOCTOR PRESCRIBED IT OFF LABEL AFTER A HEALTH SCARE. >> IF I HAD NOT TRIED TO LOSE THE WEIGHT, I WOULD HAVE FOR SURE DEVELOPED TYPE 2 DIABETES. IT RUNS IN MY FAMILY. >> Reporter: EVEN SO MITCHELL HAD TO FIGHT TO GET HEALTH INSURANCE TO COVER THE COST. PATIENTS MAY HAVE SIMILAR BATTLES WITH ZEPBOUND. BUT MORE WEIGHT LOSS OPTIONS ON THE MARKET COULD DRIVE.