What is Tirzepatide?
 

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is an FDA-approved weekly injection used for type 2 diabetes to lower blood sugar. Tirzepatide has also been shown in clinical trials to be useful for weight loss, although currently it is not an FDA-approved weight loss drug. Tirzepatide works by activating the GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Tirzepatide is only indicated for adults and should be used along with diet and exercise.

Diabetes is a long-term condition when your blood sugars (HbA1c) become too high as your body does not produce or use insulin normally. Over time high blood sugar can cause serious health problems, including kidney disease, heart disease, vision loss, and blood circulation issues.

Tirzepatide works to decrease blood sugar levels by increasing insulin production and also lowering the amount of sugar the liver makes. It also slows the rate food passes through your body which makes you feel full longer, and this may be one of the ways it may help weight loss.

Tirzepatide is a GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, which means it works on the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors and the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors.

Tirzepatide can be used as a single therapy (on its own) or with other diabetes medicines, including sulfonylureas, SGLT2 inhibitors or metformin.

It is not known if this medicine can be used in people who have had pancreatitis.

Tirzepatide should not be used in people who have type 1 diabetes.

Is Tirzepatide used for weight loss?

• Tirzepatide has been shown to help lose weight in overweight patients. Phase 3 clinical trials are currently underway for weight loss in adults who are overweight, obese, or have weight-related health issues. Tirzepatide has received FDA Fast Track designation to speed up its FDA application for treating adults with obesity, or who are overweight with weight-related health conditions.
• In the SURMOUNT-1 clinical trial, the average weight loss with tirzepatide after 72 weeks was 15% for the 5mg dose, 19.5% for the 10mg dose, and 20.9% for the 15mg dose.
• Tirzepatide is not FDA-approved as a weight loss medication; it is FDA-approved to help reduce blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and should be used together with diet and exercise.