Tirzepatide
Also known as: GIP/GLP-1 RA, Mounjaro, Zepbound
Overview
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes management and chronic weight management. It acts on two incretin hormone pathways to regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite.
Benefits
- ✓Weight management support
- ✓Blood sugar control (in diabetes care)
- ✓Appetite regulation
- ✓Metabolic health improvement
Potential Side Effects
- •Nausea and vomiting (often dose-dependent)
- •Diarrhea or constipation
- •Abdominal discomfort
- •Decreased appetite
- •Fatigue
- •Injection site reactions
Who Should Avoid
- ⚠Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals
- ⚠Those with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- ⚠People with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- ⚠Individuals with severe gastrointestinal disease
- ⚠Anyone with hypersensitivity to tirzepatide
Interactions & Precautions
May increase hypoglycemia risk when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas. Can delay gastric emptying and affect oral medication absorption. Full medication review with prescriber is essential.
Dosing Information from Literature
Weight management protocols typically start at 2.5 mg weekly, escalating every 4 weeks to a target maintenance dose (often 5-15 mg weekly) as tolerated. Diabetes dosing may differ. Follow prescriber instructions.
This is descriptive information only. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider for dosing guidance.
Storage
Keep refrigerated before first use. After initial use, some formulations allow room temperature storage for a limited time. Refer to manufacturer guidelines.