Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro and recently also as Zepbound specifically for weight management, was approved for type 2 diabetes in 2022 and for weight management in 2023. Unlike Semaglutide and Ozempic, Tirzepatide is a dual agonist, meaning it activates two different hormone receptors: GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). This dual action is believed to enhance its effectiveness in both blood sugar control and weight loss.

Mechanism of Action. Tirzepatide’s dual receptor activation amplifies the effects seen with GLP-1 agonists alone. The GIP component further improves insulin secretion in response to meals and may have a direct impact on fat metabolism, making Tirzepatide potentially more effective for weight loss than single-hormone agonists. Research suggests that the GIP component may also enhance the gastrointestinal tolerability of the medication, potentially mitigating some of the side effects commonly associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Effectiveness. Clinical trials for Tirzepatide have shown impressive results, with some participants achieving weight loss of up to 20% of their body weight. The SURMOUNT-1 trial demonstrated that patients taking the highest dose of Tirzepatide (15 mg) lost an average of 22.5% of their initial body weight over 72 weeks, significantly outperforming the weight loss achieved with Semaglutide in comparable studies. These results suggest that Tirzepatide could surpass current GLP-1 agonists like Semaglutide and Ozempic in terms of weight loss efficacy.

Side Effects. As with other peptides, Tirzepatide’s side effects are primarily gastrointestinal, including nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. However, its safety profile is still being closely monitored, given its relatively recent introduction to the market. Some studies suggest that while the incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events is similar to that of GLP-1 receptor agonists, the dual mechanism of action may offer advantages in terms of cardiovascular benefits and overall metabolic improvements.

For research purposes only.