tirzepatide at a glance
Medicine class
Long-acting GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist
Main uses
Type 2 diabetes and adult weight management
Form
Subcutaneous injection supplied as a multiple-dose pre-filled KwikPen
Food
May be injected with or without food
What is tirzepatide used for?
UK-licensed uses represented by the Mounjaro KwikPen are:
Insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes in adults and people aged 10 years and over, alongside diet and exercise; alone when metformin is unsuitable or with other diabetes medicines.
Weight loss and maintenance in adults with obesity, or overweight plus at least one weight-related health condition, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
How does tirzepatide work?
Tirzepatide activates GIP and GLP-1 receptors. It increases glucose-dependent insulin release, reduces glucagon when glucose is raised, improves insulin sensitivity and slows stomach emptying. It also increases fullness and reduces hunger and food cravings.
tirzepatide preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg
How to take tirzepatide
Use the KwikPen exactly as demonstrated by a healthcare professional and follow its supplied instructions.
Inject under the skin of the abdomen or thigh; another person may inject the back of the upper arm.
Rotate injection sites. If insulin is also injected, use a different injection site.
It may be administered at any time of day, with or without meals.
Do not use the solution if frozen, discoloured or visibly particulate.
Do not share pens or needles.
tirzepatide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Constipation or abdominal pain
- Indigestion, bloating, belching, wind or reflux
- Reduced appetite
- Tiredness or dizziness
- Injection-site reactions
- Hair loss during weight-management treatment
- Low blood sugar with some diabetes medicines
Get urgent medical advice
- Persistent severe abdominal pain, possibly spreading to the back: possible pancreatitis
- Facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or widespread severe allergic symptoms
- Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhoea causing dehydration
- Severe low blood sugar, particularly with insulin or a sulphonylurea
- Severe upper-abdominal pain, fever or jaundice: possible gallbladder disease
tirzepatide in pregnancy
Tirzepatide should not be used during pregnancy because human safety data are limited and animal studies found reproductive toxicity. Discuss planned pregnancy with the prescriber in advance and contact a healthcare professional promptly if pregnancy occurs.
tirzepatide while breastfeeding
Current product information says tirzepatide could be considered during breastfeeding. Milk levels were undetectable or very low in a small study, but infant experience is limited and it is unknown whether reduced maternal food intake changes breast-milk composition. Discuss the benefits and uncertainties with the prescriber and an appropriate specialist.
tirzepatide interactions
Tirzepatide slows stomach emptying and can alter how quickly oral medicines are absorbed. This list is not exhaustive.
Insulin or sulphonylureas
The risk of low blood sugar increases; glucose monitoring may be needed.
Oral contraceptives
Effectiveness may be reduced in people with overweight or obesity.
Warfarin, digoxin and other narrow-therapeutic-index oral medicines
Delayed absorption may alter clinical effect, so closer monitoring may be appropriate when treatment begins or changes.
Common questions about tirzepatide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is tirzepatide the same medicine as Mounjaro?
Tirzepatide is the active ingredient and Mounjaro is the brand name of the selected UK product.
Is tirzepatide insulin?
No. It is a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps regulate glucose and appetite.
Where can tirzepatide be injected?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.