Is tirzepatide available for weight loss?

Tirzepatide is a novel dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists gained increasing attention as new therapeutic agents for glycemic and weight control as they demonstrated better glucose control and weight loss compared to selective GLP-1 receptor agonists in preclinical and clinical trials.

Tirzepatide was approved by the FDA on May 13, 2022, under the brand name MOUNJARO by the FDA for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes, making it the first and only GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist for this indication. Later, it was approved under a different brand name ZEPBOUND on November 8, 2023, for the chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition. On September 15, 2022, tirzepatide was also approved by the European Commission.

Tirzepatide works for weight loss by decreasing your 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 of time. Tirzepatide also decreases blood sugar levels by increasing insulin production and lowering the amount of sugar the liver makes.