Metabolic · 5mg × 10 vials
GLP-1 + GIP dual agonist. The once-weekly reference compound for weight and glycemic endpoints.
Tirzepatide is a 39-amino-acid long-acting peptide that activates two incretin receptors simultaneously: the GLP-1 receptor (appetite suppression, delayed gastric emptying, glucose-dependent insulin secretion) and the GIP receptor (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, which amplifies insulin response, blunts glucagon, and appears to soften the nausea profile relative to pure GLP-1 agonists). The molecule is built on a GIP backbone with a C20 fatty di-acid moiety that binds albumin and extends the half-life to about five days.
The dual-receptor mechanism produces greater appetite suppression and larger weight reductions than semaglutide in head-to-head trials: SURMOUNT-5 (2025) reported 20.2% body-weight reduction with tirzepatide versus 13.7% with semaglutide over 72 weeks. The GIP component is also credited with improved tolerability at matched levels of appetite suppression. Tirzepatide is approved as Mounjaro (type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (chronic weight management and obstructive sleep apnoea).
What the published studies measured.
Peer-reviewed studies and clinical guidelines - tap any to read the source.
pivotal Phase 3, 2,539 pts, 20.9% body weight loss at 15 mg over 72 wk
Read study ↗PubMedSURMOUNT-1 long-term 176-week extension, NEJM 202419.7% sustained loss at 15 mg over 176 wk
Read study ↗PubMedFrias et al, SURPASS-2, NEJM 2021head-to-head vs semaglutide in T2D, 2.30% A1C reduction at 15 mg vs 1.86% sema
Read study ↗PubMedSURMOUNT-4 maintenance trial, JAMA 2024 (PMC10714284)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10714284/) - 14% weight regain in placebo arm after withdrawal, 25.3% total loss with continued tirz
Read study ↗PubMedRubino et al, GI tolerability pooled analysis SURMOUNT-1 to -4, DOM 2025pooled AE rates, discontinuation 1-10.5% by arm
Read study ↗PubMedSURMOUNT-5 head-to-head vs semaglutide, NEJM 202520.2% tirz vs 13.7% sema at 72 wk
Read study ↗Storage: Refrigerated (36-46F), good for 28-30 days after reconstitution. Dry/lyophilized vial frozen and away from light is stable 2+ years.