Compounded drugs are permitted to be prescribed under federal law, but are not FDA-approved and do not undergo FDA safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing review. Your Ro-affiliated provider may recommend compounded tirzepatide based on your medical evaluation. 

Warning: Risk of Thyroid C-Cell Tumors

• In rats, tirzepatide caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if tirzepatide will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people. Tell your provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. 

• Do not use tirzepatide if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

What is tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide is used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of:

• 30 kg/m2 or greater (obesity) or

• 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease).

Limitations of Use:

• Tirzepatide should not be used in combination with other tirzepatide-containing products or any other GLP-1 receptor agonist.

• The safety and efficacy of coadministration with other products for weight management have not been established.

• Tirzepatide has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis.

Who should not use tirzepatide?

Do not use tirzepatide if:

• You or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

• You have a known allergic reaction to tirzepatide.

• You are pregnant.

How should tirzepatide be administered?

You can take tirzepatide with or without food. The medication is self-administered as a subcutaneous injection in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm once a week on the same day every week. For detailed instructions on how to administer your dose, refer to your treatment plan or reach out to your Ro-affiliated provider. They will guide you on a treatment regimen that may include an increase in dose every four weeks.

You should not change your dosing regimen or stop taking tirzepatide as prescribed without discussing with your provider first. 

What should I tell my Ro-affiliated provider before using tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide has certain drug interactions. It’s important to tell your Ro-affiliated provider all of the medications you are currently taking, including prescription, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal and dietary supplements. 

Some medications to watch out for include:

• Medications for diabetes: Medications used to treat type 1 or type 2 diabetes, including insulin or sulfonylureas (such as Amaryl or Glucotrol XL)

• Other oral medications: Tirzepatide causes a delay in gastric emptying, so it has the potential to impact the absorption of medications that are taken by mouth at the same time. Your provider can guide you on how to schedule your medications.

• Hormonal birth control: If you are using an oral hormonal contraceptive (birth control), tirzepatide may decrease its efficacy, especially after the first dose. Switch to a non-oral contraceptive method or use a barrier method of contraception for 4 weeks after starting tirzepatide and for 4 weeks after each dose escalation, until you reach a maintenance dose.

• Other GLP-1 medications: Including Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda, Victoza, Byetta, or Bydureon. These medications should not be taken with tirzepatide.

• Other products for weight loss: Including dietary supplements.

It’s important to share your entire medical history with your provider. In particular, tell your provider if you have a past history of:

• Type 1 or type 2 diabetes

• Thyroid cancer

• Gastrointestinal disease

• Pancreatitis

• Kidney disease

• Diabetic retinopathy

• Depression

• Suicidal thoughts or behavior

Tell your provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. 

• If you are pregnant: Tirzepatide should not be used during pregnancy. Based on animal studies, there may be potential risks to an unborn baby from exposure to tirzepatide during pregnancy. There is no benefit to weight loss during pregnancy and it may cause harm to the unborn baby.

• If you are a female of reproductive potential: Tirzepatide may reduce the efficacy of oral hormonal contraceptives. Switch to a non-oral contraceptive method, or add a barrier method of contraception for 4 weeks after starting medication and for 4 weeks after each dose escalation until you reach a maintenance dose.

• If you are breastfeeding: It is not known if tirzepatide passes into breast milk. Talk to your provider first about the benefits and risks of using tirzepatide while breastfeeding.

Withholding or providing inaccurate information about your health and medical history in order to obtain treatment may result in harm, including, in some cases, death.

What are the most serious side effects that I or a caregiver should monitor for when taking tirzepatide?

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention.

These serious side effects can occur with tirzepatide. You or a caregiver should carefully monitor for these side effects, especially in the beginning of treatment and with dose changes.

• Thyroid C-Cell Tumors: In rats, tirzepatide caused a dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent increase in thyroid C-cell tumors. It is unknown whether tirzepatide causes thyroid C-cell tumors in humans. Tirzepatide should not be used in patients with a family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Tell your provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. 

• Severe Gastrointestinal Disease: Tirzepatide is associated with gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and stomach pain, which can sometimes be severe. It hasn’t been studied in patients with severe gastrointestinal disease and isn’t recommended in these patients. The majority of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea events occurred during a dose increase and decreased over time.

• Acute Kidney Injury: Gastrointestinal side effects of tirzepatide like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems if dehydration is severe. It is important for you to drink plenty of water to help reduce your chance of dehydration.

• Acute Gallbladder Disease: Tirzepatide and other GLP-1 receptor agonists are associated with an increased chance of acute gallbladder disease. Tell your provider right away if you have pain in your upper stomach, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), fever, or clay-colored stools.

• Inflammation of Pancreas (Acute Pancreatitis): Monitor for signs of acute pancreatitis, including severe abdominal pain that does not go away, sometimes radiating to the back, with or without vomiting.

• Allergic Reactions: Stop using tirzepatide right away if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, severe rash or itching, very rapid heartbeat, problems breathing or swallowing, or fainting or feeling dizzy.

• Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia): Tirzepatide lowers blood glucose. It can cause too low blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes who also take another glucose control medication. Monitor your blood sugar and watch for signs of too low blood sugar such as dizziness, blurred vision, mood changes, sweating, or fast heartbeat.

• Diabetic Retinopathy Complications in Patients with a History of Diabetic Retinopathy: Rapid improvement of glucose control has been associated with temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy. Tell your provider right away if you experience changes in vision.

• Suicidal Behavior and Ideation: You should pay attention to any mental health changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you.

• Never Share Needles or Syringes: Sharing of needles or syringes poses a risk of infection. 

What are the most common side effects of tirzepatide?

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Stomach pain

• Indigestion

• Injection site reactions

• Feeling tired

• Allergic reactions

• Belching

• Hair loss

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn)

This information is not comprehensive. Please see the full Consumer Medical Information for complete safety information.