tirzepatide peptides 

Tirzepatide peptides (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) or syringe, and should be used together with diet and exercise.

Zepbound brand of tirzepatide is FDA-approved for:  

• weight loss and weight reduction management in adults with 
  • obesity, or
  • overweight and have weight-related medical condition(s)
• Severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity.

Tirzepatide is also FDA-approved under the brand name Mounjaro for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adult patients, when used together with diet and exercise. Tirzepatide should not be used in people who have type 1 diabetes.

It is not known if tirzepatide can be used in people who have had pancreatitis.

Zepbound is available as single-dose pens and single-dose vials in the strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg per 0.5 mL.

How does tirzepatide work?

Normally, when we eat, natural hormones called GIP and GLP-1 are released by the gut. These hormones increase insulin release, suppress appetite, slow gastric emptying, and increase the feeling of fullness. Tirzepatide works like our natural hormones GIP and GLP-1 by activating the GIP and GLP-1 receptors. 

Tirazepatide works for weight loss by:

• Decreasing appetite and reducing hunger
• Slowing gastric emptying (food movement from the stomach to the small intestine)
• Increasing feelings of fullness and satiety
• Helps you feel full more quickly and for longer periods.

Tirzepatide is a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Tirzepatide works (mechanism of action) by activating both GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone receptors.

Tirzepatide weight loss

Patients on tirzepatide (Zepbound) 15mg weekly lost 23.6 kg (52.0 lb) on average after 72 weeks. For patients on the tirzepatide 10mg weekly dose, the average weight loss was 22.2 kg (48.9 lb), and for the tirzepatide 5mg weekly dose, patients lost 16.1 kg (35.5 lb) after 72 weeks. Patients who used a placebo lost 2.4 kg (5.3 lb) over the 72 weeks. These results are from the clinical trial SURMOUNT-1, NCT04184622.  Individual results may vary. 

Tirzepatide vs. semaglutide weight loss: SURMOUNT-5 Clinical Trial Results 

The latest clinical trial, SURMOUNT-5  (), demonstrated that tirzepatide (Zepbound) delivered significantly greater weight loss results compared to semaglutide (Wegovy) in a head-to-head trial over a 72-week treatment period at their maximum tolerated doses.

Key Findings SURMOUNT-5:

Average Weight Loss:

• tirzepatide: 50.3 pounds (22.8 kg)
• semaglutide: 33.1 pounds (15.0 kg)

Percentage of body weight lost:

• tirzepatide: 20.2%
• semaglutide: 13.7%
• = 47% greater relative weight loss with Zepbound compared to Wegovy

Weight Loss Achieved:

• tirzepatide: 64.6% of participants lost 15% of their weight
• semaglutide: 40.1% of participants lost 15% of their weight

Waist Circumference Reduction:

• tirzepatide: 7.2 inches (18.4 cm) average reduction
• semaglutide: 5.1 inches (13.0 cm) average reduction