Could a weekly injection help you lose 20% or more of your body weight without crash dieting? Tirzepatide is a medicine first made for diabetes, but now it’s helping many people lose weight. If you’re struggling with obesity, it might help you too. Let’s look at how it works and what to know before using it.
What Is Tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is an injectable medication, a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GLP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, that targets two key hormones involved in appetite and blood sugar regulation. Initially approved for managing type 2 diabetes, it has shown incredible results in promoting weight loss.
How Does Tirzepatide Work for Weight Loss?
Unlike traditional weight-loss medications, tirzepatide works in multiple ways:
–Reduces hunger –Imitates hormones that induce fullness, suppressing cravings.
–Slows digestion –Keeps food in the stomach longer, suppressing overeating.
–Improves insulin sensitivity –Helps regulate blood sugar, avoiding fat storage.
–Target fat metabolism –Stimulates the body to burn stored fat more effectively.
Clinical Trial Results: How Effective Is It?
- SURMOUNT-1 Trial: Participants lost 16–22.5% of their body weight over 72 weeks*.
- SURMOUNT-3 Trial: After the first 12 weeks of lifestyle changes, individuals lost an extra 21.1% of their weight over the next 84 weeks**.
These results suggest tirzepatide may be one of the most effective medical weight-loss options available today.
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Key Benefits of Tirzepatide
-Significant weight loss (up to 22.5% body weight in studies***)
-Improved blood sugar control (ideal for those with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes)
-Lower risk of obesity-related conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol etc.)
-Long-lasting results (compared to short-term diets)
-Convenient dosing (only one injection per week)
Potential Side Effects
Most side effects are mild and transient, including:
- Nausea, diarrhea, constipation
- Reduced appetite, mild stomach discomfort
Rare but serious risks (consult a doctor if experienced):
- Pancreatitis, gallbladder issues
- Low blood sugar (in diabetics)
- Thyroid tumors (in those with a history of medullary thyroid cancer)
Who Can Use Tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide may be recommended for:
- Adults with BMI ≥ 30 (obesity)
- Those with BMI ≥ 27 (overweight) + weight-related conditions (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure)
Not recommended for:
1. Type 1 diabetics
2. People with a history of pancreatitis or thyroid cancer
3. Pregnant or breastfeeding women
4. Children under 18
Final Verdict: Is Tirzepatide Right for You?
Tirzepatide offers powerful weight-loss benefits, especially for those with obesity or diabetes. However, it works best when combined with:
–A balanced diet (no extreme restrictions needed)
–Regular movement (even walking helps)
–Medical supervision (never self-medicate)
(The article is written by Dr. Lipika Khurana, Deputy Manager, Diagnostic Content , and reviewed by Dr. Sakshi Jain, Senior Manager, Clinical Health & Content)
References:
-Lilly. Mounjaro patient booklet [Internet]. [Accessed 25 Mar. 2025] Available at: https://uk.lilly.com/metabolic/assets/pdf/mounjaro-patient-booklet.pdf
-Lilly. Mounjaro media kit [Internet]. [Accessed: 25 Mar. 2025] Available at: https://www.lilly.com/news/media/media-kits/mounjaro
-Lilly. Mounjaro prescribing information [Internet]. [Accessed 25 Mar. 2025] Available at: https://uspl.lilly.com/mounjaro/mounjaro.html#pi
-U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injection prescribing information [Internet]. [Accessed: 25 Mar. 2025] Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/215866s000lbl.pdf
-*Wilding JPH, et al. Tirzepatide versus Placebo for Type 2 Diabetes. N Engl J Med [Internet]. 2022 [[Accessed 27 Mar. 2025]cited 2023]; 387(1): 1-13. Available from:https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
-**Eli Lilly and Company. Lilly’s Tirzepatide Shows Additional 21.1% Weight Loss After 12 Weeks of Intensive Lifestyle Intervention [Internet]. 2022 [[Accessed 27 Mar. 2025]. Available from:https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-tirzepatide-shows-additional-211-weight-loss-after-12
-***Eli Lilly and Company. Lilly’s Tirzepatide Delivered Up to 22.5% Weight Loss in Adults with Obesity or Overweight [Internet]. 2022 [Accessed 27 Mar. 2025]. Available from: https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-tirzepatide-delivered-225-weight-loss-adults-obesity-or#:~:text=Lilly%27s%20tirzepatide%20delivered%20up%20to%2022.5%%20weight,in%20SURMOUNT%2D1%20%7C%20Eli%20Lilly%20and%20Company.
-Eli Lily and Company. Mounjaro patient stories [Internet]. Indianapolis (IN):Eli Lilly and Company ; [ Accessed 28 March 2025]. Available from https://mounjaro.lilly.com/what-is-mounjaro/patient-stories
-Qin W, Yang J, Ni Y, Deng C, Ruan Q, Ruan J, Zhou P, Duan K. Efficacy and safety of once-weekly tirzepatide for weight management compared to placebo: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis including the latest SURMOUNT-2 trial. Endocrine. 2024 Oct;86(1):70-84. doi: 10.1007/s12020-024-03896-z. Epub 2024 Jun 8. PMID: 38850440; PMCID: PMC11445313.Available from : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11445313/