In May 2022, a new medication became FDA-approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, called Tirzepatide. Most commonly sold under the brand name MounjaroTM, this medication isn’t just made for people with diabetes. It’s also made for people who are overweight or are living with obesity.
If you’re struggling with your weight, you know just how hard it can be to do all the right things but see minimal changes. Thankfully, you may have some additional help with Tirzepatide.
If you’re considering using Tirzepatide to help with weight loss, there are a few things you’ll want to know. Keep reading to find out what Tirzepatide is, how it works, whether or not it works for weight loss, and if it’s the right choice for you
What Is Tirzepatide Used For?
Tirzepatide, is primarily used to treat Type 2 diabetes. In early 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially approved its use to treat the condition. The medication is taken as a once-per-week injection.
When combined with a healthy diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes, it can help treat high blood sugar (glucose) levels.
While Tirzepatide is typically used by people with diabetes, it’s also been known to help people without diabetes lose weight.
In a recent clinical trial, over 2,500 overweight or obese people experienced significant weight loss while taking the weekly Tirzepatide treatments.
In fact, the average weight loss among the group was 15-20% in 72 weeks. This was a meaningful achievement compared to the placebo group who only lost an average of 3% of their weight.
How Does Tirzepatide Work?
Tirzepatide isn’t just a new medication. It’s the first of its kind. The unique treatment is the first to combine two medicinal classes:
- GIP: a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor agonist and,
- GLP-1: a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist
The new combination of medicine is known as a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist.
GIP and GLP-1 are what’s known as incretin hormones. These types of hormones are released after eating. Tirzepatide essentially works by mimicking their effects.
While there are endless other weight loss resources available, weight loss medications can only mimic a single incretin: GLP-1. Since Tirzepatide acts like two incretins at once, it can stimulate more weight loss than alternative medications.
Once someone takes Tirzepatide, the medication tells the pancreas to release insulin after eating. It also sends a signal to the liver to lower the amount of glucose it’s creating.
The result? Tirzepatide helps you feel full, slows your digestion, and lowers your blood sugar, making it one of the best peptides for weight loss.
Why Doctors Are Optimistic About Tirzepatide as a Weight Loss Peptide
In July 2022, a 72-week clinical trial was completed by Eli Lilly on the new medication, MounjaroTM. In this study, Lilly found that people with obesity or excess weight who took MounjaroTM throughout the trial had a weight reduction of up to 52 pounds.
Within the trial, participants were categorized into four different dose classes:
- 5 mg of Tirzepatide resulted in an average weight loss of 35 lbs (16% of body weight loss)
- 10 mg of Tirzepatide resulted in an average weight loss of 49 lbs (21.4% of body weight loss)
- 15 mg of Tirzepatide resulted in an average weight loss of 52 lbs (22.5% of body weight loss)
- 0 mg of Tirzepatide (placebo group) resulted in an average weight loss of 5 lbs (2.4% of body weight loss)
The 72-week, or 16.5-month study, included 2,539 randomized controlled participants from different countries including Japan, The United States, Argentina, Taiwan, Mexico, Russia, Brazil, China, and India. Participants began the trial with a mean baseline body weight of 231 pounds.
Each participant in the non-placebo group began with a 2.5 mg dose every week. Then, participants entered a dose-escalation period with an additional 2.5 mg of tirzepatide every four weeks until they reached the set target dose of either 5, 10, or 15 mg of tirzepatide.
Even though the FDA has currently only approved Tirzepatide as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes, doctors who specialize in treating excess weight and obesity are particularly optimistic about this medication given the results of the study.
The average FDA-approved weight loss medication helps people lose between 5 to 10% of their total body weight. The reason Tirzepatide is so impressive is that it’s proven to help people lose 15 to 20% of their total body weight, essentially doubling the average weight loss offered by any medication.
Is Tirzepatide FDA-Approved as a Peptide for Weight Loss?
Yes, tirzepatide is FDA-approved. However, its approval by the Federal Drug and Administration currently only applies to treating Type 2 diabetes.
The manufacturer of MounjaroTM, Eli Lilly, is expected to file for FDA approval for Tirzepatide’s treatment for obesity.
Even though FDA approval of Tirzepatide to treat obesity and excessive weight is still pending, Apollo Virtual Health may still prescribe Tirzepatide and other weight loss medications for weight management. Schedule today to receive a free consultation.
