Tirzepatide is a peptide antidiabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, with FDA approval. Tirzepatide is given by weekly subcutaneous injection (under the skin). In addition to its antidiabetic properties, it showed impressive weight loss effects in the initial clinical trials.

Tirzepatide achieves these effects from its agonist effect on two different proteins, Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), respectively. GLP-1 and GIP are hormones involved in blood sugar control. After a person has eaten, these hormones are secreted by cells of the intestines and, in turn, cause insulin secretion. Tirzepatide is a GIP-analogue that activates both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, leading to improved blood sugar control.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are also key participants in appetite regulation through the incretin system. Therefore tirzepatide also acts as a potent appetite suppressor, which has led to impressive weight loss in prior studies. Additionally, it shows a direct fat-burning effect through increasing lipid metabolism (lipolysis).

The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, constipation, upper abdominal discomfort, and abdominal pain. Our formulation contains vitamin B6 to help reduce nausea.

 Tirzepatide is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of thyroid cancer or in patients with MEN 2, recurrent pancreatitis, severe renal impairment, severe gastroparesis, and in patients with known serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide.

One study:: measured the change in weight from baseline at 40 weeks. There were 470, 469, and 469 in the Tirzepatide 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg treatment groups, respectively, and the mean baseline weights were 203.9 lb, 209.0 lb, and 206.8 lb, respectively. Mean changes in weight at 40 weeks were -17 lb or -8.2% (p<0.05). In other studies of glycemic control with a primary endpoint at 40 weeks or 52 weeks, mean reductions in body weight ranged from 12 lb to 15 lb for the 5-mg dose, 15 lb to 21 lb for the 10-mg dose, and 17 lb to 25 lb for the 15-mg dose.

 **Link to study data can be found at https://www.mounjaro.com/hcp/a1c-weight#mounjaro-weight

Whether a patient needs tirzepatide is best determined by a consult with a medical professional. After completing a short questionnaire to evaluate for absolute contraindications to tirzepatide therapy, an online appointment will be scheduled, providing access to a more extensive questionnaire to help us evaluate your medical history. To access the initial questionnaire, Click here.

A subcutaneous injection is a way of administering medication in the fatty layer of tissue beneath the skin. The skin is pinched up to give the injection under the skin.

 

These injections are given because there is little blood flow to fatty tissue, and the injected medication is generally absorbed more slowly, sometimes over 24 hours. Several other well-known medications are also peptide medications like tirzepatide, such as growth hormone, insulin, epinephrine, etc, which also require subcutaneous injection.

 

 **Subcutaneous injections are not given if the skin is burned, hardened, inflamed, swollen, or damaged by a previous injection.

Subcutaneous injections can be given in the arms, legs, or abdomen. Your nurse or doctor will help you select the best places to administer your medication.

Answer. ~It is very important to rotate sites to keepthe skin healthy. Repeated injections in the same spot can cause scarring and hardening of fatty tissue that will interfere with absorp­ tion of medication. Each injection should be about 1 inch apart.
 
 

Since the skin is the body’s first defense against microorganisms, it must be cleansed thoroughly before a needle is inserted.

 1. Take the cover off the needle. Be careful not to contaminate the needle. Place the cover on its side. Cleanse the skin with a back­and­forth motion using an alcohol swab. This motion moves bacteria away from the injection site. Allow the alcohol to dry completely by air.

 2. Hold the syringe in one hand like a pencil.

 3. Grab the skin between the thumb and index finger with your other hand and pinch up.

 4. Don’t press the plunger while first piercing the skin.

  If using a pen:

 If using a pen, insert the pen needle at a 90­-degree angle.

 Untwist the needle on the pen and safely dispose of the needle. Replace the pen cap and store it as instructed.

 5. After the needle is completely inserted into the skin, release the skin you are grasping. Press down on the plunger to release medication into the subcutaneous layer at a slow, steady pace.

 **If using a pen, press the injection button completely (or until it clicks). Count 10 seconds before removing the needle from the skin.

 6. As the needle is pulled out of the skin, gently press a 2 x 2 gauze onto the insertion site. Pressure over the area while removing the needle prevents skin from pulling back, which may be uncom­fortable. The gauze also helps seal the punctured tissue and prevents leakage.

 **It is not serious if you notice blood at the site after removing the needle. You may have nicked a surface blood vessel when you injected, and blood is following the needle track out to the sur­ face. Simply press the site with a 2 x 2 gauze.