Tirzepatide mimics two naturally produced hormones in your body, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Its activity works to send signals to your brain to reduce hunger, slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach, and has hormonal effects to improve your metabolism. Together, these effects work to support weight loss.

Tirzepatide has been observed to lead to weight loss of about 21%, with the weight loss being sustained. Health benefits associated with weight loss include improvements in energy, mood, and sleep, along with a reduction in heart disease, improvements in diabetes, blood sugar control, blood pressure control, cholesterol levels, kidney health, and fatty liver disease.

Side effects are typically mild and can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. These side effects usually subside within 2-3 weeks, with nausea being considered an “on target” side effect that helps reduce your caloric intake.

Less common but more serious side effects can include allergic reactions, low blood sugar, kidney problems (especially if you are very dehydrated), gallstones and pancreatitis. Thyroid tumors or cancer has been observed in rodents, but not yet humans.

You should avoid tirzepatide if any of the following conditions apply to you:

• You are pregnant
• You have an allergic reaction to tirzepatide or any of its ingredients
• You have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
• You have a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2

Tirzepatide is injected under the skin either in the thigh, upper arm, or abdomen. Make sure you rotate the injection site each week. Tirzepatide can be taken with or without food, at any time of day. You should take the injection consistently on the same day each week. If you need to adjust the day of injection, try to avoid injecting within two days of a prior injection. When you forget a dose, make sure to take it within four days of the expected injection day.

The standard, FDA-approved dosing schedule for tirzepatide is:

• Month 1: 2.5 mg per week
• Month 2: 5 mg per week
• Month 3: 7.5 mg per week
• Month 4: 10 mg per week
• Month 5: 12.5 mg per week
• Month 6: 15 mg per week

Most patients start at the lowest dose in the first month, then steadily increase every month until you have found the right dose that fits your needs. 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15mg doses are considered maintenance doses.

You are not expected to make strict dietary changes during the plan, but most patients naturally consume fewer calories.

As constipation is a side effect to look out for, we recommend having a diet rich in fiber and drinking plenty of water, as doing so can minimize constipation.

We recommend you to exercise while on tirzepatide, but it is not required. You may lose muscle mass while losing weight, and exercising regularly helps retain your muscle mass and fitness.