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Medicines and devices

Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injected medicine that activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Clinician review pending Updated Medicines and devices
DefinitionTirzepatide is a once-weekly injected medicine that activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound.

What it means

Tirzepatide is made by Eli Lilly. It is the same active ingredient under two brand names with different approved uses:

  • Mounjaro: approved for type 2 diabetes in adults, alongside diet and exercise
  • Zepbound: approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition, and for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity

Both start at 2.5 mg once a week. The label raises the dose in 2.5 mg steps, at least 4 weeks apart, up to a maximum of 15 mg. Tirzepatide has a half-life of about 5 days, which is why it is dosed weekly.

In the SURMOUNT-1 trial in adults without diabetes, average weight loss at 72 weeks was larger than with placebo at every maintenance dose tested.

Why it matters

Tirzepatide drives the Zepbound and Mounjaro pages, dose tools and projections on this site.

Related tools

Tirzepatide dose calculator

Where you are on the Zepbound or Mounjaro ladder

Open

GLP-1 weight-loss projection

Expected loss by drug, dose and week, from trial data

Open

Related terms

GIPGLP-1SemaglutideTitrationTirzepatideZepbound (tirzepatide)

Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a licensed clinician (MD, DO or PharmD) before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error