Tirzepatide (brand name: Mounjaro) is a medication used primarily to treat type 2 diabetes and, more recently, obesity. It is a novel drug developed by Eli Lilly and Company. Love Your Body offers a compounded Tirzepatide, which includes Glycine and B-12 to help boost metabolism and reduce nausea and other side effects.
Here is an overview of important information about tirzepatide:
Mechanism of Action
Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide) receptor agonist. Both GLP-1 and GIP are hormones that help regulate blood sugar and appetite. By activating both receptors, tirzepatide has several beneficial effects:
- Improved blood sugar control: It enhances insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon release, which helps lower blood sugar.
Reduced appetite: It delays gastric emptying, leading to a feeling of fullness, which can result in weight loss.
Indications for Tirzepatide
- Type 2 Diabetes: Tirzepatide is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise. It is not for use in type 1 diabetes.
Obesity: Tirzepatide is also approved for weight management in patients with obesity (BMI ≥30) or overweight (BMI ≥27) who have at least one weight-related condition, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Administration of Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is administered as an injectable medication:
- It is given as a subcutaneous injection once a week.
- The injection is typically administered in the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm.
- Dosing is initiated at a low dose and gradually increased over several weeks to minimize gastrointestinal side effects and improve tolerance.
Dosage for Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes:
The typical starting dose is 2.5 mg once weekly, which may be gradually increased to 5 mg, 7.5 mg, or 10 mg weekly, depending on the patient’s response and tolerability.
Tirzepatide for weight loss (obesity):
The starting dose for Monjauro is 2.5 mg once a week, which can be titrated up to a maximum of 15 mg per week. Since the medication provided by Love Your Body compounded and given to patients with varying medical needs, the starting dose of Tirzepatide is 1.5 mg once per week, which can be titrated up to a maximum of 15 mg per week.
Side Effects of Tirzepatide
Common side effects of Tirzepatide include:
- Gastrointestinal issues: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain are the most common, especially during the first few weeks of treatment.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): This may occur when tirzepatide is used with other diabetes medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
- Injection site reactions: Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.
- Pancreatitis: There have been rare cases of pancreatitis associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists like tirzepatide.
- Thyroid tumors: Although rare, there is a potential risk of thyroid C-cell tumors (observed in rodent studies), so it should not be used in patients with a history of thyroid cancer.
Contraindications of Tirzepatide
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.
- Severe gastrointestinal disease, such as gastroparesis, as Tirzepatide slows gastric emptying.
Precautions for Tirzepatide
- Kidney issues: Tirzepatide should be used cautiously in patients with kidney disease.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: It is classified as a pregnancy category C drug, meaning its safety during pregnancy is not well established, so it should generally be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions with Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide may increase the effects of insulin and other hypoglycemic agents, which could lead to a higher risk of hypoglycemia.
It should be used with caution in patients taking medications that affect the gastrointestinal system, as these may alter how the drug is absorbed or tolerated.
Efficacy of Tirzepatide
- Blood sugar control: Tirzepatide has been shown to significantly reduce HbA1c levels, which is a marker of long-term blood sugar control. In clinical trials, it outperformed other diabetes treatments like semaglutide and liraglutide in reducing blood sugar.
- Weight loss: In clinical trials for obesity, Tirzepatide led to substantial weight loss, with patients losing an average of 15% of their body weight, making it one of the most effective weight loss treatments.
Monitoring of Tirzepatide
- Blood sugar levels: Regular monitoring of blood glucose is essential, especially when starting or adjusting doses.
- Kidney function: Patients with renal impairment should have their kidney function regularly monitored.
- GI symptoms: Close monitoring during the initiation phase of the treatment to manage side effects like nausea and vomiting.
Summary of GLP-1 Tirzepatide, offered as a compounded medication in Clearwater
Tirzepatide is a highly effective treatment option for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity, especially due to its ability to improve glycemic control and promote significant weight loss. It is generally well-tolerated but may cause side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort. Its use requires monitoring of blood glucose and kidney function.
