What is tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide (Zepbound brand) is used for weight loss, to help lose weight and keep weight off. Tirzepatide works for weight loss by decreasing appetite and slowing the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine, which may make you feel full more quickly and for a longer period. The Zepbound brand of tirzepatide is also used for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity. Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection given under the skin using a pen (autoinjector).

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is FDA-approved for weight loss in adults with obesity or who are overweight and have weight-related medical problems or OSA. Zepbound helps you to lose weight and maintain weight loss and should be combined with diet and exercise.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro brand) is used for type 2 diabetes to help improve blood sugar levels. In type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide decreases blood sugar levels by helping release insulin when blood sugar levels are high, lowering the amount of sugar the liver makes, and slowing food movement through the intestines. Mounjaro should be used together with diet and exercise.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is FDA-approved to treat adults with type 2 diabetes and should be used together with diet and exercise. It can be used as a single therapy (on its own) or with other diabetes medicines, including sulfonylureas, SGLT2 inhibitors, or metformin.

It is not known if tirzepatide can be used in people who have had pancreatitis. Tirzepatide should not be used in people who have type 1 diabetes.

Mounjaro and Zepbound both contain the same active ingredient, tirzepatide and are made by Eli Lilly and Company. They are both available as single-dose pens in the same strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg per 0.5 mL, and Zepbound is available as single-dose vials 2.5 mg/0.5 ml and 5 mg/0.5 ml.

Tirzepatide Dosing information

Usual Zepbound Dose for Weight Loss and OSA (Adult)
Initial dose: 2.5 mg under the skin (subcutaneously) once a week.

After 4 weeks: The dosage should be increased to 5 mg subcutaneously once a week.

Further dose increases: After at least 4 weeks on the current dose the dosage may be increased in 2.5 mg increments.

Recommended maintenance dose for weight loss: 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly.

Recommended maintenance dose for OSA: 10 mg or 15 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly.

Maximum dose: 15 mg subcutaneously once a week.

Usual Mounjaro Dose for Diabetes Type 2 (Adult)
Initial dose: 2.5 mg under the skin (subcutaneously) once a week.

After 4 weeks: The dosage should be increased to 5 mg subcutaneously once a week.

If additional glycemic control is needed: The dosage should be increased in 2.5 mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose.

Maximum dose: 15 mg subcutaneously once a week.

Comments: The 2.5 mg dosage is for starting of treatment and is not intended for glycemic control. The day of weekly administration can be changed, if necessary, as long as the time between the 2 doses is at least 3 days (72 hours).