Weight-Loss Drug Zepbound Is Being Tested as a Treatment for Long Covid

The article discusses a new US-wide clinical trial testing tirzepatide, the active ingredient in the weight-loss drug Zepbound, as a potential treatment for long Covid. Long Covid is a chronic condition affecting many individuals after initial COVID-19 infection, characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and body aches. Persistent inflammation is believed to play a key role in long Covid, possibly due to lingering virus or autoantibodies attacking the body's own tissues. Tirzepatide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist known for its anti-inflammatory effects, is being investigated for its ability to reduce this inflammation and improve symptoms. The trial, led by the Scripps Research Translational Institute, is notable for its fully remote design, allowing participation from people who are housebound or bedbound due to severe long Covid symptoms. About 1,000 adults with documented long Covid will be randomized to receive either tirzepatide or placebo for a year, with