What is Tirzepatide and is it Safe for Weight Loss?

What is Tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide, also known as Mounjaro, is a medication that works by activating both the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) hormones. These receptors play a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels and appetite. By mimicking the actions of these hormones, Tirzepatide helps improve blood sugar control and increase feelings of fullness, leading to weight loss.

Tirzepatide injections (Mounjaro) are taken once a week. Originally approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, Tirzepatide is now also prescribed for weight management and weight loss.

When was Tirzepatide approved in the UK?

In November 2023, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency revised the indication for tirzepatide to include treatment for weight loss.

How does Tirzepatide work?

Tirzepatide works by mimicking the effects of two natural hormones in the body: GLP-1 and GIP. Like mentioned above these hormones help regulate appetite, blood sugar levels, and digestion.

Here’s how tirzepatide works:

• Suppresses appetite: By mimicking GLP-1, tirzepatide slows down the emptying of the stomach, making you feel fuller for longer. This reduces overall food intake.
• Improves blood sugar control: Both GLP-1 and GIP stimulate the release of insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. This is particularly beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes.
• Slows digestion: By mimicking GIP, tirzepatide can also help slow down digestion, further contributing to feelings of fullness.

Overall, tirzepatide works by helping to regulate your body’s natural hunger and satiety cues, leading to weight loss and improved blood sugar control.

How much weight can you lose with Tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide has shown promising results in clinical trials for weight loss, with studies showing you can lose upto 22% of your body weight.. Here’s a breakdown:

• Average Weight Loss: Studies observed an average weight loss of 15% to 22% of initial body weight after 1.5 years (72 weeks) when Mounjaro was combined with a healthy diet and exercise plan.
• Individual results may vary:  This is just an average, and your weight loss experience with Mounjaro could be different. Factors like your starting weight, body composition, genetics, and adherence to lifestyle changes can all influence your results.

Who can benefit from Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)?

Mounjaro isn’t suitable for everyone in the UK. Here’s a breakdown of who can potentially benefit from it and who may not be a good candidate:

Potential Candidates:

• Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
• Adults for Weight Management

People Who May Not Be Suitable:

• Certain Medical Conditions: Individuals with a history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) or a type of tumour called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are not recommended to use Mounjaro.
• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Mounjaro is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women due to the potential risks to the developing baby.
• Allergic Reactions: People with a known allergy to Mounjaro or its ingredients should avoid it.
• People who are aged under 18 years.

What are the side effects of Tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide, like most medications, can cause side effects. While not everyone experiences them, it’s important to be aware of the potential ones. Here’s a breakdown of the most common side effects associated with Tirzepatide:

• Gastrointestinal Issues: These are the most frequent side effects and tend to occur more often when starting Mounjaro or increasing the dosage. They may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion (upset stomach), belching, flatulence.
• Decreased Appetite: Some people may experience a reduced appetite, which can contribute to weight loss efforts.
• Injection Site Reactions:  Mild pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site are possible.

What’s the difference between Tirzepatide and Semaglutide?

Both tirzepatide and semaglutide are GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of medications used to treat type 2 diabetes and promote weight loss. While they share similarities, there are key differences between the two with regard to mechanism of action and effectiveness. 

Where to buy Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) in the UK?

Mounjaro isn’t available for purchase like typical over-the-counter weight loss medications.

• Prescription Requirement: Mounjaro requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional who can assess your suitability based on National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) criteria. So you cannot buy it directly from a pharmacy or online retailer without a clinician’s approval.
• Not Over-the-Counter: Unlike some weight loss supplements or tablets, Mounjaro requires an assessment due to its potential side effects and targeted use based on specific criteria.
• Consultation: Connect with a licensed healthcare professional who can evaluate your eligibility for Mounjaro. During the consultation, they will discuss your medical history, weight loss goals, and assess if Mounjaro aligns with NICE criteria.

How much does Tirzepatide cost?

One Mounjaro injection pen starts from £199.

Although the exact cost of tirzepatide in the UK can vary depending on several factors, including:

• Prescription status: Whether you have a prescription or if you’re purchasing it privately.
• Pharmacy: Different pharmacies may have varying pricing structures.
• Dosage: The amount of tirzepatide you need may affect the overall cost.

It’s important to note that these costs may change over time. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s recommended to contact your local pharmacy.

Tired of struggling with weight loss? 

Take the first step towards a healthier, happier you by contacting Priman for more information on our competitive Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) pricing.

References

Aronne, L. J. et al. (2024) “Continued treatment with tirzepatide for maintenance of weight reduction in adults with obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 randomized clinical trial,” JAMA: the journal of the American Medical Association, 331(1), p. 38. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.24945. 

Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (2023) MHRA authorises diabetes drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight management and weight loss, Gov.uk. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-authorises-diabetes-drug-mounjaro-tirzepatide-for-weight-management-and-weight-loss

Heise, T. et al. (2023) “Tirzepatide reduces appetite, energy intake, and fat mass in people with type 2 diabetes,” Diabetes care, 46(5), pp. 998–1004. doi: 10.2337/dc22-1710.

Jastreboff, A. M. et al. (2022) “Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity,” The New England journal of medicine, 387(3), pp. 205–216. doi: 10.1056/nejmoa2206038.

Kaneko, S. and Division of Diabetes/Endocrinology/Lifestyle-Related Disease, Takatsuki Red Cross Hospital, Takatsuki, Japan (2022) “Tirzepatide: A novel, once-weekly dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes,” TouchREVIEWS in endocrinology, 18(1), p. 10. doi: 10.17925/ee.2022.18.1.10.

Lin, F. et al. (2023) “Weight loss efficiency and safety of tirzepatide: A Systematic review,” PloS one, 18(5), p. e0285197. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285197.

Mishra, R. et al. (2023) “Adverse events related to tirzepatide,” Journal of the Endocrine Society, 7(4). doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvad016.

Rizvi, A. A. and Rizzo, M. (2022) “The emerging role of dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists in glycemic management and cardiovascular risk reduction,” Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity: targets and therapy, 15, pp. 1023–1030. doi: 10.2147/dmso.s351982.