What is Tizepatide?
Tirzepatide is a dual agonist for the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. It mimics the GLP-1 and GIP hormones. Tirzepatide is sold under different brand names depending on its intended use:
Mounjaro: Used to improve blood sugar control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Zepbound: Prescribed specifically for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or those overweight with at least one weight-related condition (high blood pressure or high cholesterol).
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Mounjaro in May 2022 for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound in November 2023 for chronic weight management. Both brands are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company.
Benefits of Tizepatide
Tirzepatide provides a variety of health benefits for individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity. In one clinical trial funded by Eli Lilly, participants who took Tirzepatide 5.0 mg lost 16.1 kg of body weight, participants who took Tirzepatide 10 mg lost 22.2 kg of body weight, and participants who took Tirzepatide 15 mg lost 23.6 kg of body weight. You can observe a trend that, as the dose of Tirzepatide increases, the weight reduction increases.
Other benefits of Tirzepatide include improving cardiovascular health and other health markers like blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Overall, Tirzepatide provides a holistic approach to managing weight and metabolic health, offering promising benefits to individuals with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or without diabetes.
How Does Tizepatide Work?
Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist. It works by mimicking the actions of GLP-1, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite, and GIP, which also assists in glucose and lipid metabolism. By stimulating these two receptors, Tirzepatide not only increases insulin secretion in response to high blood sugar but also curbs appetite and slows down gastric emptying, leading to prolonged feelings of fullness. This multi-action mechanism helps manage blood glucose while promoting weight loss, setting Tirzepatide apart from other GLP-1 agonists that target only the GLP-1 pathway.
Tirzepatide may not work for everyone, and it is important to consult with your healthcare provider to assess which medication is best suited for you. Aayu Well Healthcare ensures thorough assessment and evaluation to build a plan tailored to your needs.
How to use it
It is important to follow your provider’s instructions for the dosage and usage of Tirzepatide. Tirzepatide is administered via subcutaneous (under the skin) injection once a week. It can be injected into the abdomen, stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Avoid using the same injection site each time to avoid irritation or infections.
Dosing
- Tirzepatide doses may vary depending on the condition being treated. Healthcare providers typically start low with Tirzepatide’s dose, which is gradually increased to minimize potential side effects.
- Starting Dose: 2.5 mg once weekly for four weeks.
- Dose Escalation: After four weeks, the dose may be increased to 5 mg weekly. Based on individual tolerance and treatment response, it may go up to 10 mg, 12.5 mg, or a maximum of 15 mg weekly.
- Patients should consult their healthcare provider for personalized dose instructions and adjustments.
Side effects
- You may experience some side effects while taking Tirzepatide. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal events, usually experienced when starting the treatment, and may subside as your body adjusts to the medication. Nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort are some of the common examples of the side effects experienced.
- Less common but more serious side effects may include pancreatitis, kidney issues, and gallbladder disease. If you experience severe abdominal pain or back pain that doesn’t go away, persistent nausea, and vomiting, these could be signs of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). If you experience severe stomach problems like persistent abdominal bloating or pain, acid reflux, a feeling of fullness after eating only a small amount, nausea, or vomiting undigested food hours after eating, it may indicate gastroparesis (stomach paralysis). If severe symptoms occur, it’s essential to contact a healthcare provider immediately.
Black Box Warning
- Tirzepatide carries an FDA-mandated black box warning due to an observed risk of thyroid C-cell tumors in animal studies. If you observe a painless lump in your neck (the lump may grow gradually), trouble swallowing, change in your voice (hoarseness), or difficulty swallowing, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
- As a precaution, the FDA warns patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should avoid using any brand containing Tirzepatide (Mounjaro or Zepbound).
Precautions
- Before you start Tirzepatide, inform your healthcare provider if you have a history of pancreatitis, a history of thyroid cancer, kidney disease, liver problems, or gastrointestinal issues.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take Tirzepatide because it is not known if it will harm your unborn baby or pass into your breast milk.
- Tirzepatide is not for insulin-dependent diabetics (type 1 diabetes). When Tirzepatide is taken with insulin and the insulin dose is reduced too quickly, it can lead to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), which increases the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Interactions
- Tirzepatide may interact with other medications, potentially affecting how they work. Some examples are:
- Diabetes Medications: Taking Tirzepatide with insulin or insulin-releasing drugs, such as sulfonylureas, can increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Dose adjustments may be necessary.
- Oral Medications: Since Tirzepatide slows down how food leaves the stomach, it can affect how other oral medications are absorbed. Timing adjustments may be required for other drugs.
- GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonists: Taking other GLP-1 receptor agonists (Semaglutide, Liraglutide, or Dulaglutide) with Tirzepatide is not recommended due to overlapping effects and increased side effect risks.
- It’s essential to disclose all current medications to a healthcare provider to avoid potential interactions.
