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Tirzepatide is a medicine given as an injection under the skin once a week. It acts on two natural gut-hormone signals at once, GLP-1 and GIP, which together lower appetite and slow how fast food leaves the stomach, so people usually eat less. In the EU it is sold as Mounjaro.

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What it is

Active ingredient: Tirzepatide · Dosages: 2.5 – 15 mg / week
Tirzepatide is a long-acting GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, given as a pre-filled injection pen. It is a dual receptor agonist — it acts on the GLP-1 and GIP gut-hormone receptors at the same time — and in clinical trials this translates into larger average weight loss than mono-agonist GLP-1 medicines in adults with obesity. It is indicated for adults who meet the BMI criteria for weight management, and for type 2 diabetes.

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How it works

Copies two gut hormones

Tirzepatide activates the receptors for two natural gut hormones, GIP and GLP-1, which the body releases after eating. The EU product information describes it as a long-acting GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist that binds both receptors with high affinity.

Turns down appetite signals

It switches on two gut-hormone receptors at the same time, which together reduce appetite and slow how quickly the stomach empties.

Slows the stomach, steadies glucose

Tirzepatide delays gastric emptying, so food leaves the stomach more slowly after a meal. It also increases insulin release in a glucose-dependent way and lowers glucagon. The weight change comes mainly from eating less, and is mostly a loss of fat mass.

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Dose schedule

1

Weeks 1–4 — 2.5 mg starting dose

Once weekly, on the same day each week.
2

From week 5 — step up every 4 weeks as tolerated

Injection under the skin, once a week.
3

Month 4+ — personalised maintenance dose

The doctor reviews your response every 3 months and decides with you whether to continue, adjust or stop. Discontinuation is gradual and paired with a maintenance plan.

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EU authorisation

Tirzepatide has been authorised for use in the EU since 11 December 2023. It was first authorised in September 2022 for type 2 diabetes, and its licence was extended on 11 December 2023 to cover weight management alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity.
  • EMA EPAR — Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
  • EMA — Mounjaro procedural steps: variation II/0007, extension of indication to chronic weight management; CHMP opinion 09/11/2023, Commission Decision 11/12/2023
  • EMA variation assessment report — Mounjaro II/0007 (EMA/539700/2023)
  • SURMOUNT-1 — N Engl J Med 2022;387(3):205-216
  • ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT04184622 (SURMOUNT-1)

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What has been reported

Figures below are the treatment-regimen estimand at week 72 of SURMOUNT-1. People with type 2 diabetes were excluded, everyone also received diet and exercise counselling, and the trial did not follow weight after treatment stopped. Acute pancreatitis was independently confirmed in 3 people on tirzepatide and 1 on placebo across the SURMOUNT-1 safety dataset reviewed by the EMA.
Severe stomach pain that does not go away can signal pancreatitis and needs prompt assessment.

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How Hi-Doctor handles it

By activating two receptors at once, tirzepatide reinforces satiety signals, slows stomach emptying and helps regulate the insulin response. It’s a chronic treatment for as long as it’s beneficial and safe — the doctor reviews your response every 3 months. An EU-licensed doctor reviews your case and, if eligible, issues an electronic prescription valid at any EU pharmacy under Directive 2011/24/EU. See pricing for the current consultation fee — the medicine itself is paid separately at a pharmacy.

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Common questions

Tirzepatide is a dual receptor agonist. It activates the receptors for two natural gut hormones, GIP and GLP-1, which the body releases after eating. The EU product information describes it as a long-acting GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist that binds both receptors with high affinity.
It is given as one injection under the skin once a week. The starting dose is 2.5 mg for the first 4 weeks, then the dose steps up every 4 weeks as tolerated. The doctor reviews your response every 3 months and decides with you whether to continue, adjust or stop.
In SURMOUNT-1, nausea was reported by up to 33.3% of participants, diarrhoea by up to 23.0%, constipation by up to 17.1%, and vomiting by up to 12.2%. Acute pancreatitis was independently confirmed in 3 people on tirzepatide and 1 on placebo.
Yes. Tirzepatide has been authorised for use in the EU since 11 December 2023 for chronic weight management alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity.
The trial did not follow weight after treatment stopped. The doctor recommends gradual discontinuation paired with a maintenance plan.

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Start a consultation

Weight-loss consultation

Answer the weight-loss questionnaire and a registered doctor reviews it. They decide whether treatment is appropriate, which one, and at what dose — and declining is a normal outcome. See what it costs and how the review works.
This page is reference information, not medical advice and not a prescription. Whether a medicine is appropriate for you is decided by a registered doctor after reviewing your consultation.