Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and wegovy have become global sensation. In the recent years, companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have GLP-1 agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists that have shown drastic impact in treating obesity.
This year, revolutionary anti-obesity drugs Wegovy and Ozempic (manufactured by Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk), and Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide are set to enter the Indian market this year after their global success.
In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection for chronic weight management in adults with obesity for use, in addition to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. Meanwhile, Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound, is already approved under the trade name Mounjaro to be used along with diet and exercise to help improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
What is tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide belongs to a class of medications called dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists. The drug decreases appetite and slowing the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine, which may make you feel full more quickly and for a longer period. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro brand) is used for type 2 diabetes to help improve blood sugar levels.
Intrestingly, Tirzeptide works like our natural hormones GIP and GLP-1 by activating the GIP and GLP-1 receptors.
According to Drugs.com, in type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide decreases blood sugar levels by helping release insulin when blood sugar levels are high, lowering the amount of sugar the liver makes, and slowing food movement through the intestines.
How much weight can you lose with tirzepatide?
On the basis of the clinical trial data, patients on Zepbound (tirzepatide) 5mg weekly lost 16.1 kg (35.5 lb) on average after 72 weeks. For Zepbound’s 10mg weekly dose, the average weight loss was 22.2 kg (48.9 lb), and for Zepbound’s 15mg weekly dose average weight loss was 23.6 kg (52.0 lb) over 72 weeks. Patients who used a placebo lost 2.4 kg (5.3 lb) over the 72 weeks. However, individual results may vary.
What are the benefits of tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide has been approved for use for the following conditions:
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection has been approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity.
- Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) has been approved for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- The Zepbound brand of tirzepatide is also used for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity.
- Mounjaro may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
What are the side-effects of tirzepatide?
The most common tirzepatide side effects include:
- abdominal pain,
- burping,
- constipation,
- diarrhea,
- dyspepsia,
- fatigue,
- gastroesophageal reflux disease,
- hair loss,
- hypersensitivity reactions,
- injection site reactions,
- nausea, and vomiting, which affects 5% or more patients.
Serious tirzepatide side effects include severe stomach problems, acute kidney damage, gallbladder disease, inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis), serious allergic reactions, low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), diabetic retinopathy issues in type 2 diabetics, suicidal behavior or thoughts, and food or liquid getting into the lungs during anesthesia or deep sedation.
According to Drugs.com, prescription weight loss drugs may be an option for adults or children who have serious health risks, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol and cannot control their weight with diet and exercise alone. Doctors and health experts often emphasise on medication treatment for weight loss should also include a plan for lower fat and calorie foods, as well as a regular exercise programme.
