Tirzepatide for Weight Loss
Tirzepatide mimics the gut hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). When you eat, these hormones slow digestion and help you feel full. Tirzepatide also:
Everything you need to know
about Tirzepatide
What is Tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a drug that mimics the GLP-1 and GIP hormones. It’s sold under the brand names Mounjaro® and ZepboundTM. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Mounjaro to treat Type 2 diabetes. Clinicians have prescribed Mounjaro off-label for weight loss because clinical evidence shows it also helps people lose weight. Zepbound is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults who have obesity or excess weight (a body mass index of 27+ with at least one weight-related health condition).
More on off-label prescribing
Both Mounjaro and Zepbound are injectable medications. Currently, the FDA hasn’t approved a generic version of tirzepatide.
Benefits of Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide also improves heart health by improving heart health metrics like blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol, and helping people lose excess weight. Multiple clinical trials funded by Eli Lilly show tirzepatide can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and those with excess weight or obesity.
It’s significant to note that some patients have reported reduced cravings and “food noise” and increased quality of life while using tirzepatide.
Benefits of Tirzepatide
When you eat, the food stimulates your gut to release GLP-1 and GIP. When blood sugar levels are high after a meal, GLP-1 helps the pancreas release the right amount of insulin and slows how quickly the food moves through the digestive system. It also decreases glucagon, a hormone that controls the amount of glucose (blood sugar) the liver makes. GIP stimulates insulin release to help regulate low blood sugar levels after eating.
In some people, the gut doesn’t make enough of these hormones on its own, or the brain isn’t sensitive to them.
Tirzepatide is a combination of synthetic GIP and GLP-1, which act as a dual receptor agonist (RA). A drug that works as an agonist activates the same cell receptors as the body’s natural hormones. So, tirzepatide works in the gut like the body’s natural GLP-1 and GIP. Because tirzepatide slows digestion, it helps curb hunger and signal fullness to the brain. It also prompts insulin release, maintaining blood sugar levels after a meal. As a result, some people with obesity and overweight have lost weight while taking it.
Because tirzepatide supports processes the body isn’t doing well on its own, it may require long-term use.
It’s important to note that tirzepatide doesn’t work for everyone. There are many biological reasons why people struggle to lose weight. NWL’s clinicians, trained in obesity medicine, can help patients identify the root cause of their weight gain and personalize a prescription to target it. All prescriptions are up to a medical provider’s discretion.
More on personalized treatment with NWL
How to use it
Tirzepatide is typically taken once a week. Follow your care provider’s instructions for using tirzepatide. Eli Lilly recommends injecting Mounjaro or Zepbound under the skin in your upper arm, upper thigh, or stomach. Store the prefilled tirzepatide pens in the refrigerator.
Dosing
Dosing depends on your specific prescription and your care provider’s instructions. Please also read the pharmaceutical packaging.
Side Effects
Rapid or significant weight loss can lead to too much muscle loss. To protect your muscles, it’s important to start a strength training program and exercise regularly while taking tirzepatide.
Tell your health care provider if you have severe stomach problems that won’t go away, including abdominal bloating or pain, acid reflux, a feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites of food, nausea, and vomiting, including vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier. These may be symptoms of gastroparesis (stomach paralysis).
Use effective birth control while taking this medication. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, do not take tirzepatide.
Tirzepatide is not appropriate for those with insulin-dependent diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. So, if that’s you, tirzepatide isn’t the right fit.
Black Box Warning
Although rare, tirzepatide caused thyroid C-cell tumors in animal studies. Both brand names of tirzepatide have a “black box” warning of the risk of these tumors. If you have trouble swallowing, develop hoarseness, or feel swelling or a lump in your neck, contact your health care provider immediately.
The FDA also warns not to take Zepbound or Mounjaro if you have a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome Type 2 or medullary thyroid cancer.
Precautions
Rapid or significant weight loss can lead to too much muscle loss. To protect your muscles, it’s important to start a strength training program and exercise regularly while taking tirzepatide.
Tell your health care provider if you have severe stomach problems that won’t go away, including abdominal bloating or pain, acid reflux, a feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites of food, nausea, and vomiting, including vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier. These may be symptoms of gastroparesis (stomach paralysis).
Use effective birth control while taking this medication. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, do not take tirzepatide.
Tirzepatide is not appropriate for those with insulin-dependent diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. So, if that’s you, tirzepatide isn’t the right fit.
Interactions
Some drugs can also interact with tirzepatide, including:
- Insulin
- Sulfonylureas (when combined, these can cause blood sugar levels to drop dangerously low)
- Some birth control pills
- Other GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist medications such as liraglutide, dulaglutide, or semaglutide
You should not drink alcohol while taking this drug because drinking can lower blood sugar. Combining alcohol with tirzepatide may cause blood sugar levels to fall too fast, leading to fainting and dizziness.
About NWL
NWL is an online weight loss program offering personalized care for every member. Some of the nation’s top obesity medicine specialists helped design our program. Our approach is based on science, and we’re committed to clinical excellence.
Members get access to: Clinicians trained in obesity medicine 1:1 health coaching Self-paced lifestyle change program designed by doctors, psychologists, and behavioral scientists Exclusive in-app community.
NWL’s comprehensive program is designed to work with your body—so you can achieve lasting results and enjoy better health.
