Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is a groundbreaking medication that activates two hormone receptors at once — GLP-1 and GIP — making it more effective than older weight loss medications. You may know it by its brand names: Mounjaro (for diabetes) or Zepbound (for weight loss). **Why is it different?** Most weight loss medications target just one pathway. Tirzepatide hits two, mimicking the natural hormonal response your body has after eating. This "dual action" approach is similar to what happens after weight loss surgery, but without the surgery. **What the research shows:** • FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity • Clinical trials show weight loss up to 22% of body weight — unprecedented for a medication • Significantly improves blood sugar control • Reduces liver fat (helpful for fatty liver disease) • Lowers cardiovascular risk in people with obesity and heart failure **How it's taken:** Once-weekly injection under the skin, with doses gradually increased over time. **What to expect:** Like similar medications, nausea is common at first but usually improves. Starting low and increasing slowly helps minimize side effects. --- **Sources:** Coskun T, et al. (2023) Drug Design, Development and Therapy. DOI:10.2147/DDDT.S559919 | Targher G, et al. (2025) Clinical and Molecular Hepatology. DOI:10.3350/cmh.2025.0744 | SURMOUNT and SURPASS clinical trial programs

GI adverse events (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting) are common; long-term cardiovascular outcomes data are awaited; weight regain occurs on discontinuation; cost and access are barriers; rare serious adverse events require continued post-marketing surveillance.

First-in-class dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist; once-weekly subcutaneous injection with an elimination half-life of approximately 5 days (steady state reached in ~4 weeks). A dose-escalation schedule is used to mitigate GI intolerance.