CVS Caremark drops Zepbound for Wegovy on the favorite drug list, patients must change

Some patients taking GLP -1 drugs for weight loss have been forced to move on to a different medication due to a change in insurance coverage – and they are not satisfied.

As of July 1, CVS Caremark – One of the largest pharmacy services managers in the United States – abandoned Zepbound (shooting) from his favorite drug list, replacing it with Wegovy (Sémaglutide).

Zepbound – as well as his diabetes drugs, Mounjaro – is made by Eli Lilly, while Wegovy is produced by Novo Nordisk, which also makes Ozempic.

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CVS Caremark blamed the cost increase in change. In a declaration of June 27 on its website, the company noted that “drug manufacturers are solely responsible for setting the price of medicines and have evaluated these drugs at a high cost, which makes many people difficult to access them.”

In an effort to “reduce the prices of medication on foot”, CVS Caremark said that he had associated himself with Novo Nordisk to “considerably increase access to Wegovy for our members at a more affordable price”.

Some patients taking GLP-1 drugs for weight loss have been forced to switch to a different medication due to a change in insurance coverage. (istock)

“On July 1, 2025, we will take a measure of form to prefer Wegovy and withdraw Zepbound,” continued the press release. “We are convinced that our decision to prefer Wegovy on our commercial model forms will allow wider and more affordable coverage for weight management drugs, while preserving clinical integrity.”

Dr. Tro Kalayjian, a doctor certified by the board of directors practicing internal medicine and obesity based in New York, noted that the lack of choice of the patient always negatively affects patients.

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“Some people do not tolerate certain drugs and be forced to switch to a new medication presents a Claire avenue to block progress,” he told Fox News Digital. “Forced switching disturbs the continuity of care.”

“The switching of drugs is not always transparent; the dosage must often be restored and the side effects can reappear.”

Wegovy is an injectable prescription weight loss drug made by the Danish company Novo Nordisk. (Michael Soluk / UCG / Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Many patients who have received letters from Caremark about the Switch went to social networks to express their concerns.

“I had just been approved for Zepbound two months ago … I have only been there for two months and I am already broken by 25.8 pounds,” wrote a user on Reddit. “I have increased my dose twice since I was now in the third month, and I have had little or no side effects. It works so well for me, I am really nervous at the idea of having to change medication.”

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Another user wrote: “CVS has just sent a letter indicating that he was no longer covered and I could go to Wegovy. However, I tried Wegovy before Zepbound and it hurt me.

“It worked so well for me, I am really nervous at the idea of having to change medication.”

CVS Caremark said in its announcement that patients who had already tried Wegovy and
“Severe or intolerable side effects” or “have not reached sufficient weight loss” may require a “formal form” covered for a different weight loss drug.

“You or your supplier can launch an exceptional request, which allows a medical need for medical need to determine whether the coverage of alternative therapy is appropriate according to your clinical circumstances,” said the company.

ZEPBOUND – With its diabetes drugs, Mounjaro – is manufactured by Eli Lilly, whose seat is in Indianapolis. (istock)

Patients can choose to buy Zepbound directly from Eli Lilly, noted Kalayjian, but the drug is expensive, costing about $ 300 to $ 500 per month.

“Unfortunately, people are so desperate that they buy versions of the research level of Tiktok and social media drugs,” he warned.

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Kalayjian noted that Zepbound is “slightly more effective” than Wegovy because it has an additional mechanism, but the two drugs are “very similar” in their weight loss results.

“There is a little less nausea and vomiting with Zepbound,” he added.

A recent study revealed that shooting had reached greater weight loss than semaglutide, participants losing around 50 pounds (20.2% of their body weight). (istock)

In a recent 72 -week clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the researchers compared the safety and efficiency of the shooting (Zepbound) and semaglutide (Wegovy).

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The study revealed that the shooting had reached greater weight lossParticipants losing around 50 pounds (20.2% of their body weight).

The group taking semaglutide lost an average of 33 pounds or 13.7% of their reference weight, according to a press release summarizing the result of the study.

“The switching of drugs is not always transparent; the dosage must often be restored and the side effects can reappear,” said an expert. (istock)

Overall, 32% of people taking shooting lost at least 25% of their body weight; Semaglutide users have lost around 16%.

Tirzepatid users have also reported a “greater reduction in the waist” than those of the semaglutide.

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The reported side effects were very similar for both drugs, 44% of people with nausea and 25% suffering from abdominal pain.

Fox News Digital contacted Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to comment.