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Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist

Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is one molecule sold under two names: Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight and sleep apnea.

Clinician review pending Updated

How it works

It acts on two gut-hormone receptors, GIP and GLP-1. Together they slow stomach emptying, reduce appetite through signals in the brain and help the pancreas release insulin when blood sugar is high.

Half-life: about 5 days, which is why it's dosed once a week.

Brands

BrandApproved forHow takenDose range
ZepboundWeightonce weekly injection2.5 mg to 15 mg
MounjaroType 2 diabetesonce weekly injection2.5 mg to 15 mg

More on tirzepatide

Tirzepatide dosage chartCompounded tirzepatideTirzepatide vs semaglutide

Brand pages

Eli Lilly

Zepbound

Weekly tirzepatide injection for weight management and obstructive sleep apnea

Open Eli Lilly

Mounjaro

Weekly tirzepatide injection for blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes

Open

Explainer · 0:23

1 · THE GUT HORMONE GLP-1 the medicine copies it and lasts for days 2 · SLOWER EMPTYING full sooner, full for longer 3 · THE BRAIN lowhigh HUNGER 4 · BLOOD SUGAR blood sugar after a meal + insulin withoutwith GLP-1 tirzepatide: + GIP 0:23 · voiced · captions on
After you eat, your gut releases a hormone called GLP-1. GLP-1 medicines copy it, but last much longer in the body.
0:00 / 0:23
How GLP-1 medicines work
Read the transcript
  1. After you eat, your gut releases a hormone called GLP-1. GLP-1 medicines copy it, but last much longer in the body.
  2. It slows how fast your stomach empties, so you feel full sooner and stay full for longer.
  3. It also acts on appetite centers in the brain, which quiets hunger and constant thoughts about food.
  4. When blood sugar is high, it helps the pancreas release insulin. Tirzepatide also acts on a second gut hormone, GIP.

Sources

  1. DailyMed: FDA labels

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