About tirzepatide
GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist
Used for
- Type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and exercise, to improve blood sugar control.
- Chronic weight management in eligible adults, alongside reduced-calorie eating and increased physical activity.
Usual adult dose
Inject under the skin once weekly. Start at 2.5 mg weekly for 4 weeks, then 5 mg weekly; increase by 2.5 mg no sooner than every 4 weeks as needed. Maximum: 15 mg weekly.
Common side effects
- Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting
- Reduced appetite or abdominal discomfort
- Injection-site reactions
- Low blood sugar, especially with insulin or sulfonylureas
Important warnings
- Not for type 1 diabetes or treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
- May cause severe stomach problems; risk of pancreatitis and gallbladder disease has been reported.
- Avoid with personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2; boxed thyroid-tumor warning.
- Can cause dehydration and kidney problems; delayed stomach emptying may affect oral medicines.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby; weight-loss treatment should be stopped during pregnancy. Contact a clinician if pregnancy occurs.
Breastfeeding
Human data are limited; discuss potential risks and benefits with a healthcare professional.
Interactions
- Insulin or sulfonylureas increase low-blood-sugar risk; doses may need adjustment.
- Slower stomach emptying may alter absorption of oral medicines, including some time-sensitive drugs.
- May reduce effectiveness of oral hormonal contraceptives; use a nonoral method or added barrier protection for 4 weeks after starting and each dose increase.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.