Tirzepatide Research Guide

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) is the first approved dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. In head-to-head trials it has generally produced greater weight loss than semaglutide.

Pharmacokinetics

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) has a half-life of about 5 days, also permitting weekly dosing. Like semaglutide, it accumulates substantially before reaching steady state.

Titration

The standard schedule steps the dose every four weeks: 2.5 → 5 → 7.5 → 10 → 12.5 → 15 mg. The 2.5 mg dose is a non-therapeutic “initiation” dose.

Mechanism advantage?

Adding GIP receptor activity may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce GLP-1-mediated nausea — a leading hypothesis for tirzepatide’s superior efficacy and tolerability in trials.

PMC: tirzepatide pharmacokinetics ^[src]