Tirzepatide — Mounjaro and Zepbound
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound): how the dual GIP/GLP-1 drug works, doses, results, side effects, vials vs pens and cost.
In short
Tirzepatide, made by Eli Lilly, activates two gut-hormone receptors — GIP and GLP-1. It is sold as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight management and obstructive sleep apnea in the US.
Doses
Both start at 2.5 mg weekly for 4 weeks, rise to 5 mg, then by 2.5 mg steps every 4 weeks or more, up to 15 mg weekly.
Tirzepatide vs semaglutide
In head-to-head research tirzepatide produced more average weight loss than semaglutide 2.4 mg. See Wegovy vs Zepbound.
Birth control
Tirzepatide can make oral contraceptives less effective. The label advises switching to a non-oral method or adding a barrier method for 4 weeks after starting and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.
Medicines in this group
Popular questions
- What if I miss a Zepbound or Mounjaro dose?
- Can you drink alcohol on Ozempic, Wegovy or Zepbound?
- How long does tirzepatide stay in your system?
- Does Wegovy or Zepbound cause hair loss?
- What happens when you stop Wegovy or Zepbound?
- Can you take Ozempic or Wegovy while pregnant or trying to conceive?
- Where do you inject Ozempic, Wegovy or Zepbound?
- How to manage nausea and constipation on GLP-1 medicines
- What is a GLP-1 agonist?
- Semaglutide vs tirzepatide: which is stronger?
Sources
Checked against these primary sources on .