Weight loss injections

Tirzepatide is unique because it’s the first combination of two classes of medications: a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist. Therefore, tirzepatide is known as a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist.

GLP-1 and GIP are both incretin hormones, which are hormones that are released after eating. Tirzepatide works by mimicking their effects. This includes telling the pancreas to release insulin after eating and signaling the liver to lower the amount of glucose it’s making. These effects help you feel full, slow down digestion, and lower blood sugar.

In addition to helping lower blood sugar, tirzepatide helps with weight loss in a few ways:

• It signals to the brain that you’re full — so you eat less.
• It slows the movement of food through your stomach — so you feel full longer.

Other similar injectable weight loss medications only mimic one incretin — GLP-1. It’s thought that because tirzepatide acts like two incretins, it can cause more weight loss than current alternatives.

Like any medication, tirzepatide can cause side effects. These seem to be most bothersome when first starting it or after raising the dose. Most side effects are mild and resolve with time.

Common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach pain
• Constipation
• Upset stomach

If these side effects are severe or ongoing, discuss them with your healthcare provider.

Tirzepatide is a weekly injection that can help lower blood sugar for people with Type 2 diabetes. But it’s also showing promising results in studies for people with obesity and overweight who don’t have diabetes. Along with diet and exercise, tirzepatide can lead to significant weight loss — up to 20%. It’s not FDA approved for weight loss yet, but it may be in the near future. The FDA has granted tirzepatide the Fast Track designation to help speed up a possible approval for weight loss.

Tizepatide signals to your brain that you’re full, slows down digestion, and lowers blood sugar. It may be one of many possible weight loss options.