Tirzepatide is a prescription medication used primarily to treat type 2 diabetes and is also being studied and used (off-label in some cases) for weight loss and obesity management. It is marketed under the brand name Mounjaro® by Eli Lilly.
Here’s a concise breakdown of what it is and how it works:
What is Tirzepatide?
- It is a once-weekly injectable medication.
- It’s a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, meaning it mimics two natural hormones in your gut:
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- GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide)
- GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1)
- By targeting both, it enhances insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon (reducing blood sugar), slows gastric emptying, and helps control appetite.
What is it used for?
- FDA approved for type 2 diabetes (to improve blood sugar control along with diet and exercise).
- It is not yet FDA approved specifically for weight loss, but many patients and doctors use it off-label for obesity, and large trials have shown significant weight loss benefits (even more than semaglutide, the ingredient in Wegovy® and Ozempic®).
How does it work in the body?
- Lowers blood sugar: Helps the pancreas release insulin when blood sugar is high and reduces the liver’s production of glucose.
- Slows digestion: Delays how quickly food moves through the stomach, so you feel full longer.
- Reduces appetite: Acts on brain centers that control hunger.
Benefits seen in studies
- In clinical trials, people taking tirzepatide lost 15-20% of their body weight on average over about 72 weeks (depending on dose), which is more than most other anti-obesity drugs.
- Significantly lowers A1C (average blood glucose levels over 3 months).
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Decreased appetite
- Sometimes burping or bloating
(These are typically mild to moderate and tend to lessen over time.) |