Tirzepatide
NHS information about the medicine tirzepatide, including what it's used for, who can take it, how to take it and side effects.
What tirzepatide is for
Tirzepatide is a type of medicine called a GLP-1/GIP agonist. It can be used to manage type 2 diabetes or obesity by helping you lose weight, when combined with exercise and changes to your diet.
Tirzepatide works for weight loss by reducing your appetite and helping you feel fuller for longer. It's a dual agonist that activates the gut hormone receptors GLP-1 and GIP to increase the levels of these hormones in your body.
For type 2 diabetes it works by lowering your blood sugar and helps your body to make more insulin if it's needed. It also slows digestion which keeps your blood sugar levels stable after meals and can help prevent heart disease.
Your doctor may prescribe tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes to control your blood sugar. This is usually before they recommend you use insulin.
You'll usually only be prescribed tirzepatide for weight loss if your BMI meets the eligibility criteria. The criteria depend on whether you get tirzepatide through your doctor or a specialist weight management service.
If you decide to get a private prescription for tirzepatide, it's important to buy it from a registered pharmacy. There are some websites that sell fake weight loss medicines.
How to use tirzepatide
Tirzepatide comes as an injection that you use once a week.
Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. It will tell you how to get the injection ready.
Keep your injection in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to use it or you have any problems using it.
When using tirzepatide:
- try to inject on the same day each week – you can change the day as long as it's been at least 3 days since your last injection
- you can have it any time of day
- inject into the fatty areas of your thigh, tummy or the back of your upper arm – ask someone to help you if you want to inject into the back of your upper arm
- change the place you inject each week – you can use the same area but do not use the exact same spot
- inject into a different place if you inject insulin as well
Side effects of tirzepatide
Like all medicines, tirzepatide can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them.
Common side effects
Common side effects of tirzepatide include:
- feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- constipation or diarrhoea
- stomach pain
- feeling tired
- itchy or red skin where you inject – redness maybe harder to see on brown or black skin
- hair loss
More about side effects
These are not all the side effects of tirzepatide.
For a full list, see the leaflet that comes with your medicine or search for your medicine on the electronic medicines compendium website.
You can report any side effects you get on the Yellow Card website
Who can and cannot use tirzepatide
Most adults can use tirzepatide.
Tirzepatide is not suitable for some people. For example, it may not be suitable if:
- you've had an allergic reaction to tirzepatide or another GLP-1 agonist
- you have or have had an inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis)
Before using tirzepatide, tell your doctor or a pharmacist if you have any medical conditions.
Breastfeeding and tirzepatide
Tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding.
Tirzepatide is not used while breastfeeding as it's not known if the medicine passes into breast milk.
Pregnancy and tirzepatide
Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or get pregnant while using tirzepatide.
Tirzepatide is not used during pregnancy as there's not enough information to say it's safe for your baby.
If you want to become pregnant, you should stop using tirzepatide at least 4 weeks before you start trying.
Your doctor will recommend other medicines to treat type 2 diabetes while you’re pregnant.
Using tirzepatide with other medicines, food and drink
There are some medicines, herbal remedies and supplements that may not mix well with tirzepatide.
These include:
- other diabetes medicines, such as gliclazide, glimepiride, metformin and tolbutamide
- some medicines to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin
- insulin – your doctor or specialist nurse may need to adjust your dose
- a general anaesthetic (which puts you to sleep) or a sedative (which relaxes you) for an operation or dental procedure – tell the healthcare professional that you're using tirzepatide
Before you use tirzepatide, tell your doctor or a pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.
Tirzepatide and contraception
It’s important to use an additional barrier contraception, such as condoms, a diaphragm or cap for 4 weeks after starting tirzepatide, and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.
Food, drink and alcohol with tirzepatide
It's best to avoid drinking alcohol while using tirzepatide because it can increase side effects like feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting).
You’ll need to eat a healthy, balanced diet while taking this medicine.
Find out more about eating a healthy, balanced diet
Find out more about your medicine
To find out more about your medicine, you can:
- check the leaflet that comes with it
- search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website
- speak to a pharmacist or doctor for advice – if you recently started taking it for type 2 diabetes, you can get help with newly prescribed medicines from a pharmacist as part of the New Medicine Service
