At BIFAT Center, we have tirzepatide. Mounjaro and Zepbound are both injections that contain tirzepatide (the active ingredient). Mounjaro is approved to treat type 2 diabetes, and Zepbound is a version approved for weight loss.
How does tirzepatide work for weight loss?
To help people lose weight, tirzepatide should be used along with lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and exercise.
Tirzepatide mimics the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). When you eat, GLP-1 is released and tells your brain you’re getting full. It can also slow down how fast food leaves your stomach, making you feel full longer and suppressing your appetite.
GLP-1 also causes your pancreas to release insulin when there’s too much sugar from food in your bloodstream. This lowers your blood sugar and helps your cells use glucose (sugar from the food you’ve eaten. This is helpful because extra sugar your cells don’t use for energy is stored as fat, which is why high blood sugar can cause weight gain.
GIP improves how your body uses sugar AND fat (storing less of both by breaking them down to use for energy).
It’s thought that GLP-1 works together with GIP for additive effects. This makes it more effective at controlling your blood sugar levels and improving your metabolism. Like GLP-1, GIP also controls your appetite and makes you feel more full and less hungry.
How effective is tirzepatide for weight loss?
Tirzepatide and semaglutide are currently being compared in a head-to-head clinical trial to evaluate their effectiveness for weight loss in people without diabetes. The trial is expected to conclude in late 2024. Until those results are available, individual clinical trials indicate that tirzepatide might lead to greater weight loss than semaglutide. A recent observational study of the active ingredients also suggests this trend.
In a 72-week clinical trial, participants with diabetes receiving the highest tirzepatide dose (15 mg) lost an average of nearly 21% of their starting body weight. Additionally, almost 60% of participants in this group lost 20% or more of their body weight.
In a 68-week clinical trial, participants receiving the recommended semaglutide maintenance dose (2.4 mg) lost an average of nearly 15% of their starting body weight, with about half of the participants losing 15% or more of their body weight.
Side effects
The most common side effects of tirzepatide are stomach-related, including:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Gas
- Burping
- Bloating
People have also reported tiredness.
Who shouldn’t take tirzepatide?
You should not take tirzepatide if you have the following:
- A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Bariatric surgery (within the past 18 months)
- A personal history of pancreatitis
- Active gallbladder disease
- Kidney disease or transplant
- Heart attack, stroke, heart conditions that limit your daily activity in the last 6 months
You shouldn’t take tirzepatide if you’re taking other GLP-1 agonists like tirzepatide, which include:
- Zepbound
- Mounjaro
- Ozempic
- Wegovy
- Trulicity
- Victoza
- Saxenda
- Byetta
- Bydureon Bcise
- Adlyxin
- Rybelsus
How do I take tirzepatide? Tirzepatide for weight loss is given once weekly as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR TIRZEPATIDE
Can I switch from semaglutide to tirzepatide?
Yes, you can. You can switch from semaglutide to tirzepatide by typically waiting one week after your last dose of semaglutide. Your healthcare provider will determine the best starting dose of tirzepatide based on your individual needs and medical history.
How much weight can I lose with tirzepatide?
Healthy, sustainable weight loss is 0.5 to 2 pounds per week. Some people routinely lose more than this. A 72-week study with more than 2,000 adult participants reported an average weight loss of nearly 21% of their body weight on the highest tirzepatide dose. The placebo group lost an average of 3% of their body weight.
What is the difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide?
Both are once-weekly injectable medications for weight loss. Both work in similar but slightly different ways and have different doses.
Tirzepatide may result in greater weight loss compared to semaglutide for some people. If you’ve been taking semaglutide for weight loss and need more help reaching your weight goal, it’s possible to switch from semaglutide to tirzepatide.
Keep in mind, that semaglutide may be a better option for you if you have heart disease. Semaglutide has been shown to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events (heart attack and stroke). Semaglutide may also be a better option for you if you’re taking oral contraceptives or blood thinners.
It’s also important to remember that each person reacts to medications differently. Semaglutide may work better for some people than tirzepatide and vice versa.
How often is tirzepatide taken?
Tirzepatide is taken once a week, any time of the day that works best with your schedule, with or without food.
How fast can you increase the dose?
The tirzepatide dose is increased every 4 weeks, not sooner. For example, you would receive 4 weeks (4 prefilled syringes) of 2.5mg, then 4 weeks of 5mg, and so forth. Most people continue the 5mg dose long-term, while some people may need to use 10mg or 15mg weekly.
Your dose will likely increase, provided you haven’t had any bothersome side effects and need to lose more weight.
Will I have to take tirzepatide forever?
The answer to this is complicated. The short answer is it depends on the person.
Nutrition, physical activity, and good-quality sleep are essential for weight loss. And unfortunately, stress can also impact your ability to maintain a healthy weight. Tirzepatide is helpful but may only be necessary for a while if you can adopt lifestyle changes and continue to use them after you stop tirzepatide.
Tirzepatide is a medication that’s meant to be taken long-term. But some people may want to stop taking it or need to because of side effects or other reasons.
Why do I regain weight after stopping tirzepatide?
It’s important to know that regaining weight isn’t unique to tirzepatide. It’s possible to regain weight after stopping any weight loss medication.
Because tirzepatide suppresses your appetite, stopping treatment can cause your appetite to return. Also, keep in mind that tirzepatide should be used with lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and exercise. Getting enough quality sleep is important, too. If you stop incorporating these healthy habits into your routine when you stop tirzepatide treatment, you’ll likely regain weight.
Where can I inject tirzepatide?
You can inject tirzepatide into the fatty tissue of your upper arms, stomach, or upper thighs.
Where should I store my tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide should be stored in the refrigerator.
Here at BIFAT Center, we’ll provide you with your very own peptide travel cooler case that’s equipped with a reusable gel ice pack. This case will keep your medication cool and safe for up to 4 hours for easy transport to and from BIFAT Center to your home.