Weight reduction and maintenance have become a challenge for millions of people all over the world. More than 650 million adults are obese across the globe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As obesity rates have only grown with time and never reduced, it is necessary to discover new and effective treatments at this stage. Enter Tirzepatide: a new medication that’s gaining attention for its weight loss potential.
Tirzepatide, a medication originally developed to help patients with Type 2 diabetes, has shown remarkable results in helping people lose a significant amount of weight. Now you must be wondering how it actually works? In this blog, we will understand the effectiveness of tirzepatide for weight loss, its side effects, and whether you should be really considering it.
How does Tirzepatide Work for Weight Loss?
Initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide is an injectable drug. It is designed to imitate the action of two vital hormones within the body — glucagon‐like peptide‐1(GLP‐1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). The main task of these hormones is to minimize hunger, slow down the process of digestion, and make you feel satiated sooner. GIP, which facilitates the release of insulin in the body, can further help you in improving the process of how efficiently fats are burnt by your body. The drug, when coupled with a low-calorie food consumption and increased exercise, has resulted in noticeable body weight reduction.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States (US) approved the use of tirzepatide for weight loss in November 2023. The weight loss medication with tirzepatide is allowed to be sold using its brand name “Zepbound”, while its original formulation with the name “Mounjaro” is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Both contain the same active ingredient, but are two versions of the same medication for different uses.
Who can take Tirzepatide Work for Weight Loss?
According to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), tirzepatide has helped people lose over 20 percent of their body weight when taken over a period of 72 weeks. But is your body eligible for taking this medication?
You may qualify to take tirzepatide for weight loss if you:
- Are above 18 years
- Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, reflecting being obese
- Or if you are deemed to be overweight (BMI 27 and above) and you have any of these health concerns:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Sleep apnoea
- High cholesterol
- Insulin resistance or prediabetes
Who Should “Not” Take Tirzepatide for Weight Loss?
By targeting two primary hormones in the body, Zepbound is said to be more effective than other medications, such as Wegovy for weight loss, which targets only one hormone – GLP-1. But is this prescription-based medicine, Zepbound, safe for everyone? Well, not really. Certain health conditions and risk factors make it unsafe or not recommended. You should not take tirzepatide for weight loss if you have/had:
- Pancreatitis
- Hypoglycemia
- Gallbladder-related issues
- A history of Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC), personal or if someone else in your family
- Pregnant
- Lactating
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2 (MEN 2)
- History of unusual or severe allergic reactions
- Gastroparesis or other digestion-related issues
- Severe liver or kidney disease
- A history of thyroid cancer, even in your family
- Planned to have a surgery, or if you have recently had one
Tirzepatide Dosage for Weight Loss
Zepbound is a subcutaneous injection, which means it is injected under the skin. It is taken once a week. You will be required to take the dose on the same day every week. Strict adherence to your prescriber’s instructions is recommended when you increase dosing. The schedule below is the typical tirzepatide titration for weight loss, with a starting low dosage and titrating the dose to improve outcomes and minimize side effects:
| Stage of Dosage | Dose | Frequency of the Dose |
| Initiation | 2.5 mg | Once every week for 4 weeks. |
| After 4 weeks | 5 mg | Once a week. If the patient is responding well to the initial medication, the dose can be increased to improve results. |
| Further increase | 7.5 mg → 10 mg → 12.5 mg | Once every week. Dosage can be increased in small stages, depending on the patient’s response and tolerance |
| Maximum Dose | 15 mg | Once every week. This is the highest approved tirzepatide dosage for weight loss. |
Missed Your Tirzepatide Dose? Don’t Panic – Read This
If you miss a dose of tirzepatide for weight loss, you should continue moving forward. Taking your doses at regular intervals makes the medication work effectively and makes losing weight steady. Even when you miss a dose, you can take it until 4 days later. However, if you have skipped it for 4 plus days already, you simply skip it and take it on your regular day with your next dose. Do not take two doses at once within a 7-day window.
Side Effects of Tirzepatide Weight Loss Treatment
Just like any medication, tirzepatide treatment may cause some side effects as well. The side effects are generally mild and fleeting, and some require medical attention.
Get Expert Support for Tirzepatide Treatment with Kinetix
Not sure if Tirzepatide (Zepbound) is right for you? Kinetix offers expert, personalized care to help you decide. We at Kinetix offer tailored guidance that is easy to comprehend. Our trained medical personnel take time to learn about your health, lifestyle, and goals to see if this drug is appropriate for you and safe to consume. We will help you understand how tirzepatide functions to reduce weight so you know exactly what to expect. This includes prescription planning, dosage planning, side effect management, and ongoing support. With Kinetix, starting weight loss medication is safe, simple, and customized as per your specific needs, all from the comfort of home.
Take the first step toward lasting weight loss — get expert guidance from Kinetix. Book a consultation TODAY!