Known brand names include Mounjaro and Zepbound.
A once-weekly injection that acts on two gut hormone receptors. As Mounjaro it lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetes and cuts the risk of heart attack and stroke in adults at high risk; as Zepbound it helps adults with obesity lose weight and treats moderate to severe sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
Sources: [1]
Tirzepatide is not on the ISMP acute care high-alert list. Insulin and oral sulfonylureas, which are often used with it, are.
Sources: [1]
The label does not describe a narrow therapeutic index or direct dosing by measured blood levels of the drug.
Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. Tirzepatide causes dose- and duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors in rats; whether it causes medullary thyroid carcinoma in humans is unknown. Contraindicated with a personal or family history of MTC or with MEN 2. Counsel patients to report a neck mass, trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, or lasting hoarseness.
No specific antidote. Give supportive care based on symptoms and consider contacting Poison Help. Observation may need to be prolonged because the half-life is about 5 days.
Sources: [1]
Doses come from the FDA label. Study tool, not for clinical decisions.
None, including end-stage renal disease. Monitor renal function when starting or escalating in patients with renal impairment who report severe GI effects.
A dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. It enhances first- and second-phase insulin secretion and lowers glucagon in a glucose-dependent way, improves insulin sensitivity, slows gastric emptying, and reduces food intake. A C20 fatty diacid gives albumin binding and a half-life of about 5 days.