Tirzepatide
About Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is an antidiabetic medicine used to treat diabetes. It is used for the treatment of Type II Diabetes. Type II Diabetes Mellitus is a serious condition wherein the body doesn’t use insulin effectively, which causes unusual blood glucose levels. Tirzepatide is also used in combination with other medicines to treat obesity.
Tirzepatide contains Tirzepatide, which belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonist. This medicine works by activating both GIP (glucose-dependent insulin polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone receptors, thereby helping control blood sugar levels. It also helps reduce appetite by delaying the stomach's emptying process and interacting with brain areas that contain GLP-1 receptors, which signal feelings of fullness.
Tirzepatide should be administered as recommended by your doctor. Your doctor will clearly explain how to adjust the dose and administer the medicine. This medicine may cause specific side effects such as vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, and allergic reactions. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Tirzepatide should be avoided if you are allergic to any of the medicines or their components. Inform your doctor about your medical history and other conditions like liver/kidney disease, stomach problems, vision problems (retinopathy), pancreatitis, depression, and hypoglycemia. This can help prevent unwanted effects. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Tirzepatide. This medicine should be stored in cold places at 2°C to 8°C.
Uses of Tirzepatide
Medicinal Benefits
Tirzepatide contains Tirzepatide. The medication maximizes the effects of GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide by helping people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and achieve far better glycemic control. It enhances the body's response to insulin, promoting better glucose control and reducing fat storage.
Directions for Use
Side Effects of Tirzepatide
- Headache
- Nausea
- Stomach upset
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
Drug Warnings
Tirzepatide should be avoided if you are allergic to any of the medicines or the components in it. Before starting the treatment, inform your doctor about your medical history and the medications you take, including herbs and supplements. This can help prevent unwanted effects. Tirzepatide is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver/kidney disease, type I diabetes, family history of MTC (medullary thyroid carcinoma) or in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. It is unknown whether Tirzepatide can be given to pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers. Hence, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age. Caution should be exercised in conditions like liver/kidney disease, stomach problems, vision problems, pancreatitis, depression, gall bladder problems, malnutrition, and hypoglycemia.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Tirzepatide interacts with an anti-depressant (bupropion), drugs used to treat glaucoma, antibiotics (cephalexin, ciprofloxacin), anti-acidity drugs (cimetidine), heart condition drugs (digoxin), anti-epileptic drugs (topiramate, lamotrigine), heart-related chest medicine (ranolazine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Tirzepatide.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have any liver/kidney disease, stomach problems, vision problems, pancreatitis, depression, gall bladder problems, and hypoglycaemia.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid drinking alcohol as it can cause serious adverse effects.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Tirzepatide can be taken for pregnant women or not. If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Tirzepatide.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Tirzepatide passes into breast milk. Hence, if breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Tirzepatide. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
safe if prescribedTirzepatide usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionUse Tirzepatide with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionUse Tirzepatide with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disease. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
unsafeTirzepatide is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Try doing 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or one hour and 15 minutes of high-intensity exercise weekly.
- Include whole-grain foods, fruits, veggies and other fiber-enriched foods in your diet.
- Add omega-3 fatty acid-containing oils for daily cooking.
- Avoid too much stress, as it may elevate your blood sugar level. To control stress-related blood sugar changes, you can adopt stress management techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or yoga.
- Loss of weight gradually to achieve a healthy body mass index (18.5 to 24.9).
- Keep your blood pressure as normal (140/90) as possible, as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in diabetes patients.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption while on treatment with Tirzepatide.
- Take short, frequent meals, and avoid prolonged fasting when taking Tirzepatide.
Special Advise
- Tirzepatide may sometimes cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) as a side effect. Try to carry candies or sugar biscuits in your pocket every time.
- Lifestyle modifications are the most important step in controlling blood sugar levels.
- Your doctor may recommend regular blood tests to monitor your blood sugar levels.
- Tirzepatide is not recommended for use in patients with type I diabetes.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Type II Diabetes Mellitus: It is a chronic and lifelong condition wherein the body doesn’t use insulin effectively, which causes unusual blood glucose levels. Therefore, people affected with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or there is resistance to the action of insulin. Individuals who are middle-aged or older are most likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, which is also known as adult-onset diabetes. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination at night, slow wound healing, increased hunger, fatigue, weight gain, and blurred vision.
Obesity: Obesity is a common condition associated with excessive body fat, which in turn increases the risk of other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, certain cancers and heart disease. Intake of more calories than you burn by exercise or daily activities results in obesity. Some common causes of obesity include insufficient sleep, growing older, pregnancy, and genetics. Proper diet and exercise are advised, along with medication to treat obesity.
FAQs
Tirzepatide is used in the treatment of type II Diabetes Mellitus. It is a viable alternative for supplementing the incretin effect in achieving glycemic control, as this impact is weakened in diabetes, with the additional benefits of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reduction. It also used to manage weight loss in obese people. It helps prolong the sensation of fullness and thereby promotes weight loss, cardiovascular health, a good lipoprotein profile, and improvement in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
Tirzepatide contains Tirzepatide, which belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonist. This medicine works by activating both GIP (glucose-dependent insulin polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone receptors, thereby helping control blood sugar levels. In obese people, it slows gastric emptying and fosters a sense of fullness, leading to better weight loss. It also decreases hunger by delaying the stomach's emptying period and interacting with brain regions that contain GLP-1 receptors, indicating fullness.
If a dose of Tirzepatide is missed, give it as soon as possible within four days (96 hours); if more than four days have passed, skip the missed dose and return to your usual routine. If necessary, you can switch the day of weekly administration as long as there is a minimum of three days (72 hours) between the two doses.
Tirzepatide should be kept between 2°C and 8°C in the refrigerator. Avoid freezing or using it once frozen. Keep the medicine in its original container to keep it from light. Tirzepatide shouldn't be returned to the fridge if it has been kept at room temperature. If not utilized within 21 days of being removed from the refrigerator, discard.
Tirzepatide is not recommended to treat type 1 diabetes (your body produces no insulin). It is used in the treatment of only Type II diabetes (a chronic and lifelong condition wherein the body doesn’t use insulin effectively, which causes unusual blood glucose levels).
Tirzepatide can be taken with other diabetes medications if prescribed by the doctor. However, taking Tirzepatide with other diabetes medications may increase the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). Therefore inform your doctor about your complete medication history before starting treatment with Tirzepatide.
Tirzepatide may cause serious adverse effects like thyroid C-cell tumours, pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy complications, acute kidney injury, hypersensitivity, and acute gallbladder disease. Consult the doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms.
You should inform the doctor if you get eye problems, such as changes in vision, during treatment with this medicine as the Tirzepatide may lead to complications of diabetic eye disease (retinopathy). When taking this medication, you may feel nauseous, sick (vomiting), or have diarrhoea. These adverse effects may result in dehydration (loss of fluids). You must consume enough water to avoid dehydration, especially if you have kidney issues.
No, after taking your dose, you should throw away any leftover medication. The vial is only intended for one usage, and reusing leftover medicines may result in infection or improper dosage.
To get the air bubbles to rise to the top, gently tap the syringe a few times. Then, push the plunger up gradually until the 0.5 mL mark is reached. By then, there shouldn't be any air bubbles in the syringe.
Tirzepatide is not recommended during pregnancy, as it is unknown if it affects your unborn baby. If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before taking Tirzepatide.
No, Tirzepatide is not an Insulin. It is a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist that slows digestion, lowers glucagon levels, and increases insulin release to control blood sugar. Unlike insulin, Mounjaro 5mg Solution for Injection improves the body's natural reaction to food intake rather than taking the place of insulin.
Tirzepatide is used to manage weight loss. Maintaining a proper diet and regular use of Tirzepatide can enhance weight loss. It depends on individual factors how much weight can be reduced in 3 months. If you have concerns, please consult your doctor.
Tirzepatide is administered as a weekly subcutaneous injection, which can be given in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It should be injected on the same day each week, with or without food. To prevent irritation, change the injection site each time. Always use a fresh needle and syringe for each dose. Before using, ensure the solution is clear, colorless, and has not been frozen. Be sure to follow your doctor's guidance on the correct dosage and how to administer it.
Tirzepatide aids weight loss by reducing appetite and helping you feel full longer, which leads to eating less. It works by mimicking two natural hormones in the body—GLP-1 and GIP—that help control hunger, blood sugar, and digestion. These hormones help regulate appetite and metabolism, contributing to both weight loss and better blood sugar control.
Tirzepatide slows down the stomach's emptying, which may postpone the bloodstream's absorption of glucose. If this is used with a drug that causes hypoglycemia, this can result in dangerously low blood sugar levels.
Tirzepatide should not be used by anyone who has had MTC or a family member who has Type 2 of the Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome (MEN-2). It should not be used in people under 18 years of age. Additionally, anyone who has experienced severe tirzepatide allergic responses should not use it. It should be avoided by patients who have a history of gastroparesis, severe gastrointestinal disorders, or pancreatitis since it may exacerbate these diseases. Under medical supervision, people with severe liver or renal illness should use it with caution.