Library / Tirzepatide
Approved medicine
Tirzepatide
Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist · Weight & GLP-1 · Mounjaro, Zepbound
What it is
Acts on two gut hormone receptors (GIP and GLP-1) at once, affecting blood sugar control and appetite.
What research covers
Approved for type 2 diabetes and for weight management. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, people on the highest dose lost about 21% of their body weight on average over 72 weeks. Taken as a once-weekly injection.
Reported side effects
- Nausea, mostly while the dose is being increased
- Diarrhoea, constipation or vomiting
- Reduced appetite
- Injection-site reactions
Not suitable for, or talk to a doctor first
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2
- History of pancreatitis
- Pregnancy or trying to conceive
- Using another GLP-1 medicine at the same time
Good to know
- Can reduce how well oral contraceptives work for a while after starting or increasing the dose. Ask your prescriber.
Legal status
| Australia | Prescription-only medicine in Australia (Mounjaro). |
|---|---|
| United States | FDA-approved, prescription only. |
| Sport | Not prohibited by WADA at the time of writing. |
Rules change. Check with the TGA (Australia), your local regulator, or WADA for sport.
Key references
- Jastreboff et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1). NEJM, 2022.
General information, not advice. Talk to a qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing or stopping anything.