What is Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)?

 

Tirzepatide is a newer medication that is FDA approved for weight loss in adults. It’s a once-weekly injection. Tirzapatide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

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How does Tirzepatide cause weight loss?

 

Tirzepatide promotes weight loss by decreasing your appetite and prolonging feelings of fullness. These effects can cause you to eat fewer calories.

Tirzepatide is unique because it’s the first combination of two classes of medications: a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist. Therefore, Tirzepatide is known as a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist.

 

GLP-1 and GIP are both incretin hormones, which are hormones that are released after eating. Tirzepatide works by mimicking their effects. Tirzepatide helps with weight loss in a couple ways:

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• It signals to the brain that you’re full — so you eat less.

• It slows the movement of food through your stomach — so you feel full longer.

 

Other similar injectable weight loss medications only mimic one incretin — GLP-1. Because Tirzepatide acts like two incretins, it can cause more weight loss than current alternatives. 

 

You may qualify for Tirzepatide for weight loss if:

 

You have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30.

You have a BMI of at least 27 and you have one or more weight-related health conditions, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, or high cholesterol.

 

If you don’t meet these BMI criteria, it’s possible a healthcare provider may still prescribe tirzepatide for weight loss. But this would be considered an off-label use of the medication.

 

How much weight do you typically lose on Tirzepatide?

 

While everyone’s experience is unique, many people have lost 15% or more of their starting body weight with Tirzepatide. A clinical trial of over 2,500 people who are considered obese or overweight experienced significant weight loss. Those treated with Tirzepatide had an average weight loss of 15% to 20% of their starting body. This worked out to an average weight loss of 34 lbs to 48 lbs. Over a third of those taking the highest Tirzepatide dose (15 mg per week) lost at least 25% of their starting body weight (over 58 lbs).

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What are the side effects of Tirzepatide?

 

Like any medication, Tirzepatide can cause side effects. These seem to be most bothersome when first starting it or after raising the dose. Most side effects are mild and resolve with time.

 

Common side effects include:

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• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Loss of appetite

• Stomach pain

• Constipation

• Upset Stomach

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