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Tirzepatide

Brand names: Mounjaro, Zepbound

Tirzepatide is a once-weekly shot that lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetes and helps with weight loss.

Brand namesMounjaro, Zepbound
Type of medicineGIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
Prescription?Prescription
ImportantThis page is general information, not a prescription. Don't start, stop, or change a medicine without talking to your provider or pharmacist.

Overview

It acts like two gut hormones (GIP and GLP-1). Mounjaro is for diabetes; Zepbound is for weight management and sleep apnea with obesity.

What it's used for

  • Type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro)
  • Chronic weight management (Zepbound)
  • Moderate to severe sleep apnea with obesity (Zepbound)

How to take it

  • Inject once a week on the same day, under the skin of the belly, thigh, or upper arm.
  • The dose is raised slowly every 4 weeks or more.
  • Eat smaller meals and stop when full.

Your dose depends on your health and other medicines. Always follow your prescription label, and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.

Side effects

Common side effects

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Less appetite
  • Stomach pain
Call 911Severe belly pain that spreads to the back, with or without vomiting (possible pancreatitis)
Call your provider todayVomiting or diarrhea that won't let you keep fluids down
Call your provider todayPain in the upper right belly, fever, or yellow skin (gallbladder)
Call your provider todayA lump in the neck, trouble swallowing, or hoarseness

Warnings

  • Not for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2.
  • It can make birth control pills less effective for 4 weeks after starting and after each dose increase; use a backup method.
  • Tell anyone giving you anesthesia that you take it.
  • Only use FDA-approved products from a licensed pharmacy.

Other medicines, foods, and alcohol

  • Insulin and sulfonylureas taken with it raise the risk of low blood sugar.
  • Birth control pills may be less effective (see above).

Tell your provider and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin, and supplement you take.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Stop it if you become pregnant, and talk with your provider before trying to conceive.

Missed doses, overdose, and storage

If you miss a dose

Take it within 4 days of the missed dose. If more than 4 days have passed, skip it and take the next dose on your usual day.

If someone takes too much

Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or get help online at poison.org. Call 911 if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be woken.

Storing it

Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of reach of children and pets.

Conditions it's used for

Sources

Last updated 2026-11-13.