GLP-1 & Metabolic Peptides

Tirzepatide

Commonly used for

Weight LossDiabetesMetabolic Health

What is it?

Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist producing the largest average weight loss currently achieved with an approved medication.

Brand names: Mounjaro®, Zepbound®

Mechanism of action: Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonism

What do people use it for?

Approved indications: Type 2 diabetes; Chronic weight management; Moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity (Zepbound, approved December 2024)

Proposed indications: MASH; Heart failure with preserved EF; PCOS; Addiction

How is it used? / Dosing

Typical clinical dosing schedule: Subcutaneous injection administered once weekly with gradual dose escalation according to the approved prescribing information.

Administration: Subcutaneous injection — Weekly

How does it compare?

Compare with:

How well does it work? / Evidence

✓ Well-established

Evidence rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Approved) — Multiple large Phase 3 trial programs (SURMOUNT for obesity, SURPASS for diabetes) support approval across both indications, with the largest average weight loss of any approved medication.

Landmark trials: SURMOUNT-1 — Average weight loss ≈21%; SURPASS Trials — Superior glycemic control vs semaglutide in diabetes

Safety & side effects

Monitoring: Weight, HbA1c, Renal function, GI adverse effects

Legal & regulatory status

Legal status: Prescription required. This is an FDA-approved medication available only through a licensed prescriber — dosing and titration are determined by your prescriber based on your medical history and are not provided here.

Regulatory status: FDA Approved • EMA Approved

Who should avoid it?

Contraindications: Personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN2 syndrome — same class precaution as semaglutide; Serious hypersensitivity

Research & references

Jastreboff AM, et al. (2022). Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038