Tirzepatide
What is Tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. It is a dual-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist, which means it mimics the action of natural hormones in the body to help regulate blood sugar levels and promote weight loss.
Tirzepatide works by:
- Stimulating the release of insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels
- Slowing the release of glucose from the stomach into the small intestine
- Reducing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness
- Increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin, making it easier for glucose to enter cells
Tirzepatide is administered through a once-weekly injection and is available under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound. It is approved for use in adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity, and is often used in combination with diet and exercise to help manage blood sugar levels and promote weight loss.
Benefits of taking Tirzepatide
Some of the benefits of tirzepatide include:
- Effective in reducing blood sugar levels and improving glycemic control
- Can help with weight loss and improve body composition
- May reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality
- Can be used in combination with other medications to improve blood sugar control
There are potential side effects such as:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Injection site reactions
- Increased risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer
Clinical Data
Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity New England Journal of Medicine VOL 387 No. 3
In this phase 3 double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, we assigned 2539 adults with a body-mass index (BMI; the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters) of 30 or more, or 27 or more and at least one weight-related complication, excluding diabetes, in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive once-weekly, subcutaneous tirzepatide (5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg) or placebo for 72 weeks, including a 20-week dose-escalation period.
Coprimary end points were the percentage change in weight from baseline and a weight reduction of 5% or more. The treatment-regimen estimand assessed effects regardless of treatment discontinuation in the intention-to-treat population.
RESULTS
CONCLUSIONS
Click here to read what the NIH says about the differences between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide.