Peptides / Weight and metabolic

Synthetic analog · 39 amino acids · 4,813.5 Da

Tirzepatide

ApprovedNot banned in sport

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) acts on the GIP and GLP-1 receptors and is approved in the US and EU for type 2 diabetes and weight management. Studies in people tested it for weight loss and blood sugar, and tracked heart events and stomach side effects. PepBank shows 2,050 results on tirzepatide from 360 studies in people, and 80 from animal and lab studies. The strongest evidence is a randomized trial in people. Data as of 2026-10-30.

Also known as BG-121, LY-3298176, LY3298176, Mounjaro, Zepbound

39 amino acids, from first to last4 changed amino acids

Evidence level: Large trials in people2,050 of 2,165 results come from studies in people, including randomized trials.

Results in people

2,050

95% of 2,165 results

Results in animals

3% of 2,165 results

Results in lab cells

under 1% of 2,165 results

From computer models

2% of 2,165 results

Overview

Key points

Tirzepatide is a synthetic peptide, based on the GIP sequence, that activates the GIP and GLP-1 receptors and is given by weekly injection.¹
In trials in adults with obesity, tirzepatide led to more weight loss than placebo.²
Tirzepatide lowered the risk of major kidney events by 23% compared with dulaglutide in an exploratory analysis of a trial in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.³
The FDA and the EMA have approved tirzepatide, and WADA does not list it as banned, though it is on the WADA Monitoring Program.^4,5,6

Tirzepatide at a glance

What it is	Synthetic analog, 39 amino acids
Approval	Approved in the US and EU (Mounjaro, 2022)
In sport	Not listed as banned by WADA
Studies	457 studies with results. 378 of them gave tirzepatide, with 2,165 results. 2,050 in people68 in animals12 in lab cells35 from computer models
Best study in people	Randomized controlled trial with 13,165 people (2025)
Clinical trials	254 registered: 162 active or planned, 46 with posted results
Community use	Weight loss and appetite control; Type 2 diabetes (approved use of Mounjaro); Split or smaller doses to ease side effects or lower cost

The science

What is tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide is a synthetic peptide, a chain of 39 amino acids, built on the sequence of human gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP).¹ A C20 fatty diacid attached to the chain enables binding to albumin and prolongs the half-life, according to the label.^1,7,8

Eli Lilly and Company developed it, and it is approved under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound.^1,9 Other names include the codes LY3298176 and BG-121.¹

Amino acids in one chain¹

The history of tirzepatide

2016May
A phase 1 trial sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company began, testing tirzepatide in healthy participants and in participants with type 2 diabetes.¹⁰
2019December
SURMOUNT-1, a phase 3 trial sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company in participants with obesity or overweight, began.¹¹
2022May
The FDA gave its first approval of tirzepatide, as Mounjaro, for type 2 diabetes.^4,9
2022September
The European Union granted Mounjaro marketing authorisation.⁵
2023November
The FDA approved Zepbound for weight management in adults with obesity, or with overweight and at least one weight-related condition.⁴
2024October
The FDA declared the tirzepatide injection shortage resolved.⁴

Tirzepatide structure and chemistry

The key facts about the molecule. Long codes are in the closed section below.

Sequence, 39 amino acidsFrom the first amino acid to the last

Y1X−EGT5FTS−DY10SIXL−D15+KIAQ+K20AFVQW25LIAGG30PSSGA35PPPS

Darker means more water-repelling+ and − show charge in the bodyOutlined: changed amino acid

Structure

Tirzepatide is a chain of 39 amino acids with no ring, based on the human GIP sequence, with aminoisobutyric acid at positions 2 and 13 and a fatty diacid attached to the lysine at position 20 through a linker.^1,7,8

Formula

C₂₂₅H₃₄₈N₄₈O₆₈

Molecular weight

4,813.5 g/mol

CAS number

2023788-19-2

Targets

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (gene GIPR): agonistEvidence: approved-drug labelGlucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (gene GLP1R): agonistEvidence: approved-drug label

Development

Eli Lilly and Company. Highest phase: past the trial stage (see status).

Identifiers

PubChem 166567236, ChEMBL CHEMBL4297839, UNII OYN3CCI6QE, DrugBank DB15171, KEGG D11360, IUPHAR 11429, PDB 7FIM

Full sequence, SMILES and InChIKey

Three-letter sequence
H-Tyr-Aib-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Tyr-Ser-Ile-Aib-Leu-Asp-Lys-Ile-Ala-Gln-Lys[N6-(AEEA-AEEA-gammaGlu-CO-(CH2)18-COOH)]-Ala-Phe-Val-Gln-Trp-Leu-Ile-Ala-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ser-Ser-Gly-Ala-Pro-Pro-Pro-Ser-NH2

InChIKey
BTSOGEDATSQOAF-MCNPHUAVSA-N

SMILES
CC[C@H](C)[C@@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(=O)N)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCCNC(=O)COCCOCCNC(=O)COCCOCCNC(=O)CC[C@@H](C(=O)O)NC(=O)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O)C(=O)N[C@@H](C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC1=CC=CC=C1)C(=O)N[C@@H](C(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(=O)N)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC2=CNC3=CC=CC=C32)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H]([C@@H](C)CC)C(=O)N[C@@H](C)C(=O)NCC(=O)NCC(=O)N4CCC[C@H]4C(=O)N[C@@H](CO)C(=O)N[C@@H](CO)C(=O)NCC(=O)N[C@@H](C)C(=O)N5CCC[C@H]5C(=O)N6CCC[C@H]6C(=O)N7CCC[C@H]7C(=O)N[C@@H](CO)C(=O)N)NC(=O)[C@H](CCCCN)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(C)C)NC(=O)C(C)(C)NC(=O)[C@H]([C@@H](C)CC)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)[C@H](CC8=CC=C(C=C8)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)[C@H]([C@@H](C)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CC9=CC=CC=C9)NC(=O)[C@H]([C@@H](C)O)NC(=O)CNC(=O)[C@H](CCC(=O)O)NC(=O)C(C)(C)NC(=O)[C@H](CC1=CC=C(C=C1)O)N

See charge, composition and 3D structure on the Scientific page

How does tirzepatide work?

Step 1Tirzepatide activates GIP and GLP-1 receptors

Step 2Insulin release rises when blood sugar is high, and calorie intake falls, likely through effects on appetite^7,8,12,13

Tirzepatide binds to and activates both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors, which are the targets for native GIP and GLP-1, according to the drug label.^7,12,13 The Mounjaro label says it enhances insulin release and lowers glucagon levels, both depending on blood sugar.⁷

From the drug labelIn animals

The Zepbound label says tirzepatide decreases calorie intake, and that this is likely due to effects on appetite.⁸ The label reports that in animal studies, tirzepatide reached and activated neurons in brain regions involved in appetite and food intake.⁸

The evidence

What tirzepatide studies show

Results grouped by what the studies measured. Each card shows where its results come from.

Large trials in people2,050 of 2,165 results come from studies in people, including randomized trials.

Weight and appetite

572 results · 551 in people · 19 animal

A model fitted to trial data in adults with overweight or obesity showed tirzepatide cut fat mass about three times as much as fat-free mass.¹⁴

Top results

In adults with obesity, weight loss after 72 weeks was greater with tirzepatide than with placebo. (The New England journal of medicine, 2022)
In adults with type 2 diabetes, waist size fell by 2·1 to 10·2 cm across tirzepatide doses, versus 1·3 cm with placebo. (Lancet, 2018)
In adults without diabetes with BMI 27-50, tirzepatide reduced food energy intake more than placebo at week 3. (Nature medicine, 2025)

Blood sugar

369 results · 355 in people · 8 animal

In adults with type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide lowered HbA1c more than insulin glargine over 104 weeks, and a computer simulation projected a lower rate of small blood vessel complications than with insulin glargine over 5 years.^15,16

Top results

In adults with type 2 diabetes and no GADA antibodies, tirzepatide lowered HbA1c by 2.32% at about 40 weeks. (The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2025)
In adults with type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide lowered insulin and glucagon levels after a test meal compared with placebo, more than semaglutide did. (The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology, 2022)
In adults with type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide did not substantially change the estimated liver insulin-to-glucagon ratio. (The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2024)

Heart and blood vessels

289 results · 279 in people · 7 animal

In adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease, tirzepatide was as good as dulaglutide for heart events but was not shown to be better, and in adults with obesity and heart failure it lowered the risk of cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure compared with placebo.^17,18

Top results

In adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease, tirzepatide was as good as dulaglutide for heart events. It was not shown to be better. (The New England journal of medicine, 2025)
In adults with type 2 diabetes on tirzepatide, people who lost more weight also had larger blood pressure drops. (Diabetes care, 2023)
In adults with obesity and heart failure, tirzepatide improved health-status scores more than placebo after 52 weeks. (The New England journal of medicine, 2025)

Cholesterol and blood fats

79 results · 76 in people · 3 animal

In adults with type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide lowered triglycerides compared with baseline, dulaglutide and placebo, and after adults with obesity stopped it, non-HDL cholesterol rose more in those who regained more weight.^19,20

Top results

In adults with obesity, tirzepatide 15 mg lowered free fatty acids more than placebo at 72 weeks; lower doses did not. (Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2026)
After stopping tirzepatide, non-HDL cholesterol rose more in people who regained more weight. (JAMA internal medicine, 2026)
In adults with type 2 diabetes, total cholesterol changes with tirzepatide ranged from a rise of 0·2 to a fall of 0·3 mmol/L across doses. (Lancet, 2018)

Daily life and fitness

70 results · 70 in people

In adults with heart failure and obesity, tirzepatide improved the heart failure health score more than placebo at 52 weeks, and Japanese patients with diabetes reported higher treatment satisfaction with tirzepatide than with dulaglutide.^21,22

Top results

In Japanese adults with obesity, more weight loss was linked to larger quality-of-life improvements. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2026)
In adults with psoriatic arthritis and overweight, adding tirzepatide to ixekizumab reduced fatigue more than ixekizumab alone. (Arthritis & rheumatology, 2026)
In adults with obesity and heart failure, tirzepatide improved walking distance more than placebo, and more so in those with higher starting BMI. (Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2025)

Survival and serious illness

65 results · 59 in people · 2 animal

In adults with type 2 diabetes and high heart risk, 25 deaths occurred with tirzepatide and 35 with insulin glargine with no test reported, and in an observational study of adults with fatty liver disease, tirzepatide use was linked to fewer hospital stays at 1 year than SGLT2 inhibitor use.^23,24

Top results

In an indirect comparison, tirzepatide was linked to fewer deaths from any cause than an estimated placebo. (Diabetes care, 2026)
In adults with type 2 diabetes and high heart risk, 25 deaths occurred with tirzepatide and 35 with insulin glargine. (Lancet, 2021)
In adults with fatty liver disease, tirzepatide use was linked to fewer hospital stays at 1 year than SGLT2 inhibitor use. (Hepatology international, 2026)

All 457 tirzepatide studies by area Open the Scientific page

Key tirzepatide studies

Studies in people come first, then studies in animals and in the lab.

People
Cardiovascular Outcomes with Tirzepatide versus Dulaglutide in Type 2 Diabetes
Nicholls et al. 2025 · The New England journal of medicine · 13,165 people · cited by 84
3 results
People
Cardiorenal Outcomes With Tirzepatide Compared With Dulaglutide in Patients With Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: A Post Hoc Analysis of the SURPASS-CVOT Randomized Clinical Trial
Nissen et al. 2026 · JAMA cardiology · 13,165 people · cited by 6
5 results
People
A comparison of the effects of tirzepatide and dulaglutide on major kidney events in people with type 2 diabetes: pre-specified exploratory analyses of the SURPASS-CVOT trial
Zoungas et al. 2026 · The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology · 13,165 people · cited by 5
10 results
People
Improved HbA1c and Body Weight in GADA-Positive Individuals Treated With Tirzepatide: A Post Hoc Analysis of SURPASS
Peters et al. 2025 · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 3,791 people · cited by 6
6 results
People
Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity
Jastreboff et al. 2022 · The New England journal of medicine · 2,539 people · cited by 2,802
6 results

All 457 Tirzepatide studies

Tirzepatide clinical trials

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 254 trials of tirzepatide. 162 are active or planned, and 46 have posted results. PepBank does not show trial results.

Solid bars are dates that happened. Hatched bars are planned dates. Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

A Study of Tirzepatide (LY3298176) Compared With Dulaglutide on Major Cardiovascular Events in Participants With Type 2 Diabetes

Phase 3completed13,299 people

A Study of Tirzepatide (LY3298176) in Participants With Obesity or Overweight

Phase 3completed2,539 people

A Study of Tirzepatide (LY3298176) Once a Week Versus Insulin Glargine Once a Day in Participants With Type 2 Diabetes and Increased Cardiovascular Risk

Phase 3completed2,002 people

All 76 Tirzepatide trials

Status and safety

Is tirzepatide approved?

FDA

United States

Approved

Mounjaro, Zepbound, since 2022.

EMA

European Union

Approved

Mounjaro, since 2022.

WADA

Sport

Not banned

Not on the 2026 Prohibited List.

Yes. Approved in the US and EU (Mounjaro, 2022). The FDA label for Mounjaro says: “Adjunct to diet and exercise for glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes; reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk for these events” Not listed as banned by WADA.

Laws and labels change, so check the regulator for the current status.

Tirzepatide side effects and safety

PepBank has 462 safety results from studies of tirzepatide. 462 of them come from studies in people.

Safety results from studies (462)

In Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes, most people taking tirzepatide had at least one side effect during treatment. (The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology, 2022)
In Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide often lowered appetite; this was generally mild and rose with dose. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2022)
In early human trials, the most common side effects of tirzepatide were stomach and gut problems, which grew with dose and were mild to moderate. (Molecular metabolism, 2018)
In obese patients having a heart valve replacement, tirzepatide did not raise major bleeding. (Cardiovascular revascularization medicine, 2026)
In adults with obesity treated with tirzepatide, stomach and bowel side effects were similar in early and non-early weight losers. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2026)
In adults with diabetes and heart disease, tirzepatide caused more digestive side effects than dulaglutide (42.5% versus 35.9%). (JAMA cardiology, 2026)
In adults with obesity and no known major mental illness, tirzepatide users had slightly lower depression questionnaire scores than placebo users. (Obesity, 2026)
In adults with obesity, the most common side effects of tirzepatide were stomach and gut problems, mostly mild to moderate, mainly during dose increases. (The New England journal of medicine, 2022)
In adults with type 2 diabetes and high heart risk, tirzepatide did not raise the rate of major heart events compared with insulin glargine. (Lancet, 2021)
In adults with type 2 diabetes, low blood sugar happened less often with tirzepatide than with insulin glargine. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2025)
In adults with type 2 diabetes, nausea, diarrhoea, reduced appetite and vomiting were more common with tirzepatide than with insulin degludec, mostly mild to moderate. (Lancet, 2021)
In adults with obesity and prediabetes, apart from coronavirus disease 2019, tirzepatide's most common side effects were stomach and gut problems. (The New England journal of medicine, 2025)
In adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes, 7% of all trial participants reported serious adverse events; the abstract gives no split by arm. (Lancet, 2023)
In adults with type 2 diabetes, no severe low blood sugar was reported in the trial. (Nature medicine, 2023)
In adults with early type 2 diabetes, stomach and bowel problems were the most common side effects in both groups. (Annals of internal medicine, 2026)
In adults with obesity and no diabetes, the most common side effects of tirzepatide were stomach and bowel problems, mostly mild to moderate. (The New England journal of medicine, 2025)
In adults with obesity and heart failure, more people stopped tirzepatide because of side effects than stopped placebo. (The New England journal of medicine, 2025)
In adults with obesity or overweight, stomach and gut side effects were most common, mostly mild or moderate, and more frequent with tirzepatide than placebo. (JAMA, 2024)
In Asia-Pacific adults with type 2 diabetes on tirzepatide, low blood sugar events were uncommon. (Obesity, 2024)
In adults with type 2 diabetes using insulin glargine, diarrhea was a common side effect of tirzepatide and occurred more often than with placebo. (JAMA, 2022)
In this 26-week trial in adults with type 2 diabetes, 13 of 316 people across all six groups had serious adverse events. (Lancet, 2018)
In adults with type 2 diabetes, serious side effects were reported by about 7% in both the tirzepatide and the dulaglutide groups. (Annals of internal medicine, 2025)
In Japanese adults with obesity disease, tirzepatide safety did not differ much between subgroups. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2026)
In adults with obesity disease, tirzepatide had safety similar to the full trial, and stomach and gut problems were the most common. (Current medical research and opinion, 2026)

See every safety result on the Scientific page

Doses studied (40 shown)

The doses that these studies used. They are not recommendations.

Dose as reported	Class	Species	Route	Duration	Design	Source
up to 15 mg once weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 13,165	Nicholls 2025
up to 15 mg weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	median 46.9 months	Randomized trial in people · n = 13,165	Nissen 2026
up to 15 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous	median follow-up 4.0 years	Randomized trial in people · n = 13,165	Zoungas 2026
5, 10 and 15 mg	Human	human	Not reported	40 or 42 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 3,671	Peters 2025
5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	72 weeks, including a 20-week dose-escalation period	Randomized trial in people · n = 2,539	Jastreboff 2022
5 mg	Human	human	Not reported	104 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 1,500	Guan 2025
10 mg	Human	human	Not reported	104 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 1,500	Guan 2025
15 mg	Human	human	Not reported	104 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 1,500	Guan 2025
5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly (start 2·5 mg, escalated by 2·5 mg every 4 weeks)	Human	human	subcutaneous	52 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 1,437	Ludvik 2021
10 mg and 15 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous	72 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 938	Garvey 2023
15 mg or maximum tolerated dose	Human	human	Not reported	2 years	Randomized trial in people · n = 794	Del 2026
maximum tolerated dose (10 mg or 15 mg)	Human	human	subcutaneous	72 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 751	Aronne 2025
up to 15 mg once weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	at least 52 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 731	Packer 2025
titrated up to 15 mg weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	52 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 731	Zile 2025
up to 15 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous	median 104 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 731	Packer 2025
maximum tolerated dose (10 or 15 mg)	Human	human	subcutaneous	52 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 670	Aronne 2024
5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly (started at 2.5 mg/week, escalated by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks)	Human	human	subcutaneous	40 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 475	Dahl 2022
15 mg once weekly	Human	human	Not reported	40 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 459	Gao 2023
10 mg once weekly	Human	human	Not reported	40 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 458	Gao 2023
5, 10 or 15 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous	52 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 443	Kadowaki 2022
5, 10, or 15 mg	Human	human	Not reported	72 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 392	Sattar 2026
15 mg once weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	52 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 338	Del 2021
10 mg once weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	52 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 328	Del 2021
1 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	26 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 316	Frias 2018
10 mg and 15 mg once weekly (pooled)	Human	human	subcutaneous	52 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 296	Gastaldelli 2022
15 mg or maximum tolerated dose	Human	human	Not reported	40 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 282	Billings 2025
5 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous	52 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 148	Kadowaki 2022
15 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous	52 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 148	Kadowaki 2022
10 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous	52 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 147	Kadowaki 2022
2.5 mg weekly, increasing to a maximum of 15 mg weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	52 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 106	Kramer 2025
15 mg once weekly	Human	human	subcutaneous	28 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 102	Heise 2022
5 mg once weekly	Human	human	Not reported	72 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 102	Ishigaki 2026
10 mg once weekly	Human	human	Not reported	72 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 102	Ishigaki 2026
15 mg once weekly	Human	human	Not reported	72 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 102	Ishigaki 2026
15 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous	72 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 76	Kadowaki 2025
10 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous	72 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 71	Kadowaki 2025
5 mg once weekly (with metformin 1000 mg BID)	Human	human	Not reported	16 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 60	Yang 2026
5, 10 or 15 mg	Human	human	subcutaneous	8 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 48	Furihata 2022
15 mg	Human	human	Not reported	12 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 42	Pieber 2025
12 mg (4 mg weeks 0-3; 8 mg weeks 4-7; 12 mg weeks 8-11)	Human	human	subcutaneous	12 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 29	Frias 2020

From the community

How people use it

What people report online. It comes from forums and guides, not from studies.

Community-reported. Not tested in trials.

People use tirzepatide for weight loss and appetite control. Sources list the label steps, once a week by subcutaneous injection, as the popular pattern. Some people use compounded vials, stop below the top dose, or split the weekly dose into two injections.

Reported routines and cautions

What people use it for

Weight loss and appetite controlS3S1S8
Type 2 diabetes (approved use of Mounjaro)S2
Split or smaller doses to ease side effects or lower costS3S4S5

Reported regimens

Regimens that community sources report for Tirzepatide. Community-reported, not tested in trials.
Context	Route	Amount	How often	How long	Agreement	Sources
Zepbound, weight reduction and long-term maintenance (US label)Official label dosing of an approved product	subcutaneous injection	2.5 to 15 mg per dose	once weekly	2.5 mg for 4 weeks, then steps of 2.5 mg after at least 4 weeks each	Label dosing (single official source)	S1
Mounjaro, type 2 diabetes (US label)Official label dosing of an approved product	subcutaneous injectionabdomen, thigh or back of the upper arm (given by another person)	2.5 to 15 mg per dose	once weekly	Steps of 2.5 mg after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, if more glycemic control is needed	Label dosing (single official source)	S2
Weight loss; slower steps, or staying below the top dose	subcutaneous injectioncompounded vials need syringe and unit math	7.5 to 10 mg per dose	once weekly	ongoing; 6 to 8 weeks per step reported by some	single source for the numbers (S3); the second source (S8) agrees only that people hold a tolerated dose; both sources carry seller links	S3S8
Split weekly dose into two injections to ease side effects	subcutaneous injectioncompounded vials; two injections a week	Not stated	twice weekly (about 3 to 4 days apart)	ongoing	both sources say twice weekly; only S3 gives an amount (weekly total 5 to 15 mg, split in two); both sources carry seller links	S3S4

Reported side effects

nauseaS3S8
constipationS3S8
sulfur-tasting burpsS3

Reported benefits (claims, not shown in trials)

strong appetite drop and less food preoccupation ("food noise")S3S8

Cautions

A calculator page that carries seller links says no clinical trial has tested split-dosing regimens, so the evidence is theory or anecdote.S4
Compounded vials need manual measuring. FDA received reports of adverse events that may be related to dosing errors with compounded semaglutide. It also received reports that may be related to compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide doses above the label.S6
FDA recommends that consumers discard a multi-dose vial 28 days after first use and use a new, sterile needle and syringe for each dose.S6
FDA says compounded drugs are not FDA approved and are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality.S6
Healthline quotes experts who say microdosing GLP-1 drugs is unstudied and that compounded home dosing risks overdose and contamination.S5

Status notes

The wiki says FDA confirmed that no tirzepatide shortage exists, which restricts compounding. It gives no date.S3
On 2026-03-03 FDA announced 30 warning letters to telehealth firms that market compounded GLP-1 products. Per the law-firm summary, FDA objected to promotion that implies equivalence to approved drugs or hides who the compounder is.S7

Community sources

S1Zepbound (tirzepatide) prescribing information (opens in a new tab)DailyMed (NLM)
S2Mounjaro (tirzepatide) prescribing information (opens in a new tab)DailyMed (NLM)
S3Tirzepatide: Community Protocols & Reportspeptideprotocolwiki.comcarries seller links, not linked
S4Microdosing tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound): split dosing strategiesglp3planner.comcarries seller links, not linked
S5Healthline news article on GLP-1 microdosing (opens in a new tab)healthline.com
S6FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss (opens in a new tab)fda.gov
S7FDA's Latest GLP-1 Crackdown: What Compounders and Telehealth Platforms Need to Know (opens in a new tab)venable.com
S8Tirzepatide Reddit: What Real Users Report in 2026glp3planner.comcarries seller links, not linked

Gaps

Reddit, the main community source, cannot be fetched here. The wiki page summarizes Reddit and gives no per-person data. Three sources (S3, S4, S8) carry seller links and are marked affiliate. The split-dose amount comes from the wiki only. No public forum with checkable dosing posts was found. FDA text on dosing errors is about semaglutide first and names tirzepatide only in part.

Questions and more

Common questions

Is tirzepatide the same as Mounjaro and Zepbound?

Yes, both Mounjaro and Zepbound are brand names for products that contain tirzepatide.^1,7,8 The FDA approved Mounjaro on May 13, 2022 for type 2 diabetes, and Zepbound on November 8, 2023 for weight management.^1,4 They are separate US approvals with different listed uses, and Mounjaro is also approved in the EU.^4,5 See if tirzepatide is approved

How much weight do people lose on tirzepatide?

In a randomized trial of adults with obesity and no diabetes, body weight fell by 15.0%, 19.5% and 20.9% at week 72 in the tirzepatide groups, versus 3.1% with placebo.² The difference from placebo was significant for every treatment group, and the trial enrolled 2,539 people.^2,11 See what tirzepatide studies show

Is tirzepatide safe?

Tirzepatide has known risks, and its US labels carry a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors.^7,8 In rats, tirzepatide caused thyroid C-cell tumors, and it is unknown whether it does so in humans.^7,8 Common reactions on the Mounjaro label include nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, reported in at least 5% of patients.⁷ See tirzepatide side effects and safety

What is the half-life of tirzepatide?

About 5 days.⁷ The Mounjaro label gives an elimination half-life of approximately 5 days, and the Zepbound label gives 5 to 6 days in patients with overweight or obesity.^7,8 A C20 fatty diacid on the molecule enables binding to albumin, which prolongs the half-life.^1,7,8 See the tirzepatide structure

Does tirzepatide help sleep apnea?

Yes, in adults with obesity and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.^8,25 In a randomized trial of adults with obesity and sleep apnea, breathing events during sleep improved with tirzepatide compared with the start, significantly from week 4.²⁵ The Zepbound label lists moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity as an approved use.^4,8 See what tirzepatide studies show

Ask a question about tirzepatide

The answer links to every study it uses.

What does the evidence say about tirzepatide?Is tirzepatide tested in people?Compare with Liraglutide Compare with Semaglutide

Sources

Database: PepBank profile: identity and structure (GSRS Tirzepatide OYN3CCI6QE (API); GSRS fragment NVV1P9GCY2; PubChem CID 166567236 properties)
People: Jastreboff et al., 2022, The New England journal of medicine (PMID 35658024)
People: Zoungas et al., 2026, The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology (PMID 42114520)
Regulator: FDA (United States) status record, as of 2026-10-09
Regulator: EMA (European Union) status record, as of 2026-10-09
Regulator: WADA Prohibited List 2026
Drug label: US prescribing information (DailyMed): MOUNJARO
Drug label: US prescribing information (DailyMed): ZEPBOUND
Database: Development record
Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02759107: A Study of Tirzepatide (LY3298176) in Healthy Participants and Participants With Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM)
Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04184622: A Study of Tirzepatide (LY3298176) in Participants With Obesity or Overweight
Database: Target record: Gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor (GIPR)
Database: Target record: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R)
People: Chigutsa et al., 2025, Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (PMID 40556483)
People: Guan et al., 2025, Diabetes, obesity & metabolism (PMID 40926359)
Computer model: Niu et al., 2024, Diabetes, obesity & metabolism (PMID 37867175)
People: Nicholls et al., 2025, The New England journal of medicine (PMID 41406444)
People: Packer et al., 2025, The New England journal of medicine (PMID 39555826)
People: Pirro et al., 2022, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism (PMID 34608929)
People: Horn et al., 2026, JAMA internal medicine (PMID 41284285)
People: Zile et al., 2025, Circulation (PMID 39556714)
People: Ishii et al., 2023, Diabetes therapy (PMID 37843771)
People: Del et al., 2021, Lancet (London, England) (PMID 34672967)
People: Khalil et al., 2026, Hepatology international (PMID 42397506)
People: Malhotra et al., 2025, Sleep medicine (PMID 41135142)

AI wrote this page from the sources above. AI can make mistakes, so check important facts against the source.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.

Ask your AI about tirzepatide

Tirzepatide

ApprovedNot banned in sport

Also known as BG-121, LY-3298176, LY3298176, Mounjaro, Zepbound

What it is

Synthetic analog, 39 amino acids

Approval

Approved in the US and EU (Mounjaro, 2022)

In sport

Not listed as banned by WADA

Studies

457 studies with results. 378 of them gave tirzepatide, with 2,165 results.
2,050 in people68 in animals12 in lab cells35 from computer models

Best study in people

Randomized controlled trial with 13,165 people (2025)

Clinical trials

254 registered: 162 active or planned, 46 with posted results

Community use

Weight loss and appetite control; Type 2 diabetes (approved use of Mounjaro); Split or smaller doses to ease side effects or lower cost

Dose as reported

Class

Species

Route

Duration

Design

Source

up to 15 mg once weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

Not reported

Randomized trial in people · n = 13,165

Nicholls 2025

up to 15 mg weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

median 46.9 months

Randomized trial in people · n = 13,165

Nissen 2026

up to 15 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous

median follow-up 4.0 years

Randomized trial in people · n = 13,165

Zoungas 2026

5, 10 and 15 mg

Human

human

Not reported

40 or 42 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 3,671

Peters 2025

5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

72 weeks, including a 20-week dose-escalation period

Randomized trial in people · n = 2,539

Jastreboff 2022

5 mg

Human

human

Not reported

104 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 1,500

Guan 2025

10 mg

Human

human

Not reported

104 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 1,500

Guan 2025

15 mg

Human

human

Not reported

104 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 1,500

Guan 2025

5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly (start 2·5 mg, escalated by 2·5 mg every 4 weeks)

Human

human

subcutaneous

52 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 1,437

Ludvik 2021

10 mg and 15 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous

72 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 938

Garvey 2023

15 mg or maximum tolerated dose

Human

human

Not reported

2 years

Randomized trial in people · n = 794

Del 2026

maximum tolerated dose (10 mg or 15 mg)

Human

human

subcutaneous

72 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 751

Aronne 2025

up to 15 mg once weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

at least 52 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 731

Packer 2025

titrated up to 15 mg weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

52 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 731

Zile 2025

up to 15 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous

median 104 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 731

Packer 2025

maximum tolerated dose (10 or 15 mg)

Human

human

subcutaneous

52 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 670

Aronne 2024

5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly (started at 2.5 mg/week, escalated by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks)

Human

human

subcutaneous

40 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 475

Dahl 2022

15 mg once weekly

Human

human

Not reported

40 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 459

Gao 2023

10 mg once weekly

Human

human

Not reported

40 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 458

Gao 2023

5, 10 or 15 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous

52 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 443

Kadowaki 2022

5, 10, or 15 mg

Human

human

Not reported

72 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 392

Sattar 2026

15 mg once weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

52 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 338

Del 2021

10 mg once weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

52 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 328

Del 2021

1 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg once weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

26 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 316

Frias 2018

10 mg and 15 mg once weekly (pooled)

Human

human

subcutaneous

52 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 296

Gastaldelli 2022

15 mg or maximum tolerated dose

Human

human

Not reported

40 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 282

Billings 2025

5 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous

52 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 148

Kadowaki 2022

15 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous

52 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 148

Kadowaki 2022

10 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous

52 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 147

Kadowaki 2022

2.5 mg weekly, increasing to a maximum of 15 mg weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

52 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 106

Kramer 2025

15 mg once weekly

Human

human

subcutaneous

28 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 102

Heise 2022

5 mg once weekly

Human

human

Not reported

72 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 102

Ishigaki 2026

10 mg once weekly

Human

human

Not reported

72 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 102

Ishigaki 2026

15 mg once weekly

Human

human

Not reported

72 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 102

Ishigaki 2026

15 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous

72 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 76

Kadowaki 2025

10 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous

72 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 71

Kadowaki 2025

5 mg once weekly (with metformin 1000 mg BID)

Human

human

Not reported

16 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 60

Yang 2026

5, 10 or 15 mg

Human

human

subcutaneous

8 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 48

Furihata 2022

15 mg

Human

human

Not reported

12 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 42

Pieber 2025

12 mg (4 mg weeks 0-3; 8 mg weeks 4-7; 12 mg weeks 8-11)

Human

human

subcutaneous

12 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 29

Frias 2020

Context

Route

Amount

How often

How long

Agreement

Sources

Zepbound, weight reduction and long-term maintenance (US label)Official label dosing of an approved product

subcutaneous injection

2.5 to 15 mg per dose

once weekly

2.5 mg for 4 weeks, then steps of 2.5 mg after at least 4 weeks each

Label dosing (single official source)

Mounjaro, type 2 diabetes (US label)Official label dosing of an approved product

subcutaneous injectionabdomen, thigh or back of the upper arm (given by another person)

2.5 to 15 mg per dose

once weekly

Steps of 2.5 mg after at least 4 weeks on the current dose, if more glycemic control is needed

Label dosing (single official source)

Weight loss; slower steps, or staying below the top dose

subcutaneous injectioncompounded vials need syringe and unit math

7.5 to 10 mg per dose

once weekly

ongoing; 6 to 8 weeks per step reported by some

single source for the numbers (S3); the second source (S8) agrees only that people hold a tolerated dose; both sources carry seller links

S3S8

Split weekly dose into two injections to ease side effects

subcutaneous injectioncompounded vials; two injections a week

Not stated

twice weekly (about 3 to 4 days apart)

ongoing

both sources say twice weekly; only S3 gives an amount (weekly total 5 to 15 mg, split in two); both sources carry seller links

S3S4

Tirzepatide

Key points

Tirzepatide at a glance

What is tirzepatide?

The history of tirzepatide

Tirzepatide structure and chemistry

How does tirzepatide work?

What tirzepatide studies show

Weight and appetite

Blood sugar

Heart and blood vessels

Cholesterol and blood fats

Daily life and fitness

Survival and serious illness

Key tirzepatide studies

Tirzepatide clinical trials

Is tirzepatide approved?

Tirzepatide side effects and safety

How people use it

What people use it for

Reported regimens

Reported side effects

Reported benefits (claims, not shown in trials)

Cautions

Status notes

Community sources

Common questions

Is tirzepatide the same as Mounjaro and Zepbound?

How much weight do people lose on tirzepatide?

Is tirzepatide safe?

What is the half-life of tirzepatide?

Does tirzepatide help sleep apnea?

Ask a question about tirzepatide

Related peptides

Semaglutide vs tirzepatide

Sources

Tirzepatide

Key points

Tirzepatide at a glance

What is tirzepatide?

The history of tirzepatide

Tirzepatide structure and chemistry

How does tirzepatide work?

What tirzepatide studies show

Weight and appetite

Blood sugar

Heart and blood vessels

Cholesterol and blood fats

Daily life and fitness

Survival and serious illness

Key tirzepatide studies

Tirzepatide clinical trials

Is tirzepatide approved?

Tirzepatide side effects and safety

How people use it

What people use it for

Reported regimens

Reported side effects

Reported benefits (claims, not shown in trials)

Cautions

Status notes

Community sources

Common questions

Is tirzepatide the same as Mounjaro and Zepbound?

How much weight do people lose on tirzepatide?

Is tirzepatide safe?

What is the half-life of tirzepatide?

Does tirzepatide help sleep apnea?

Ask a question about tirzepatide

Related peptides

Semaglutide vs tirzepatide

Sources