Tirzepatide reviews: what studies and users say

As the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound, tirzepatide has made headlines for its ability to help control blood sugar, promote weight loss, and treat sleep apnea. What might be less widely publicized is what taking the medication actually feels like—after all, everyone’s experience is different. Enter: tirzepatide reviews. 

Below, you’ll find tirzepatide reviews from healthcare providers, patients here at Ro, and others who have shared their experiences online. We also break down the current research on tirzepatide, the medication’s side effects, efficacy, and cost. With this information on hand, you’ll have a better idea of what you can expect with tirzepatide and whether it may be a fit for you.

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Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in the brand-name prescription medications, Mounjaro and Zepbound. Both medications are injected subcutaneously (under the skin) of the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm once a week. They come as prefilled pens, though Zepbound is also available in single-dose vials in the United States.

While Mounjaro and Zepbound share the same active ingredient and dosage strengths, they’re approved for different indications by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

• Mounjaro is approved for improving blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes when used in combination with diet and exercise.

• Zepbound is approved for weight loss and long-term weight maintenance in adults with obesity or with overweight and a weight-related health condition, such as high cholesterol or type 2 diabetes. It is also approved to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults with obesity.

Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist. GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide 1, while GIP stands for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide. Both are gut hormones your body produces naturally. The drug works by mimicking these hormones and targeting their receptors in the brain, which play a role in regulating your appetite and blood sugar levels. 

Essentially, tirzepatide works for weight loss and type 2 diabetes in a few ways:

• It slows down digestion by keeping food in your stomach longer, so you feel full longer and less hungry. 

• It sends signals to your brain telling it that you’re full, further increasing your sensation of fullness (and reducing your sensation of hunger). 

• It boosts the release of insulin after you eat and limits the release of glucagon.

Curious how this helps with sleep apnea? Excess body fat can put pressure on your airway  and cause breathing problems during sleep. Tirzepatide works for sleep apnea by helping you lose weight. 

How well does tirzepatide really work? Let’s take a look at the research.

Tirzepatide for weight loss

In a study of people with obesity but without diabetes, those taking tirzepatide lost 15%--20.9% of their body weight in 72 weeks (about a year and a half). They also experienced reductions in their waist circumference, blood pressure, and lipid (cholesterol) levels. Among people who also have type 2 diabetes, a study found that those taking tirzepatide experienced an average weight loss of about 13%–15% in the same timeframe, compared with only 3.2% for those taking a placebo.

Several studies have proven tirzepatide to be more effective than other GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, such as semaglutide. One meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials, with a total of over 11,700 patients, found that those taking tirzepatide experienced a greater reduction in their:

• Body mass index (BMI)

• Waist circumference

• Body weight

The analysis found that tirzepatide had a dose-dependent effect, meaning that those taking higher doses lost more weight. However, tirzepatide was also slightly more likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) than other GLP-1s. 

Tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of people with type 2 diabetes, those taking tirzepatide had their HbA1c levels drop by an average of 1.87%--2.07% (those taking a placebo, on the other hand, actually experienced a slight increase in their HbA1c). 

More people taking tirzepatide hit their blood sugar goals than those taking a placebo. Up to 92% of people taking tirzepatide got their HbA1c levels below 7%, and over 80% reached 6.5% or below. The people taking tirzepatide also lost 15–21 pounds, on average, during the trial. 

Tirzepatide for obstructive sleep apnea

Studies of tirzepatide show that in people who have moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea and obesity, taking tirzepatide significantly reduces apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) within a year of starting treatment. AHI represents the average number of times per hour that your breathing becomes shallow or stops. In two separate trials totaling over 500 adults, those taking tirzepatide experienced 25–29 fewer AHI events per hour, compared with only 5 fewer events per hour for those taking a placebo. These studies also found that tirzepatide reduced body weight and blood pressure.

Tirzepatide vs. semaglutide

Clinical reviews of tirzepatide have also shown it to be more effective than semaglutide, the active ingredient in the brand-name drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.

In a 40-week trial of people with type 2 diabetes, those taking tirzepatide experienced a greater reduction in their HbA1c levels (2.3% vs. 1.86%). They also lost 4–12 more pounds. However, hypoglycemia and other serious adverse events were more common in the tirzepatide vs. semaglutide group. 

In a different 28-week trial for weight loss, participants taking 1 mg of semaglutide experienced a similar reduction in their appetite and calorie intake to those taking the highest 15-mg dose of tirzepatide. However, those who were taking tirzepatide lost significantly more body weight than those taking semaglutide. The participants on tirzepatide also lost more body fat (9.7% vs 5.9%). 

Zepbound pens and vials are available through Ro. We asked real patients to describe their experience getting tirzepatide through Ro. These reviews were collected from real Ro members through our usual feedback process. Some may have received compensation for their authentic opinions.

“I have taken some clothes to get them altered—taken in, not out. So that is my biggest victory right there. Running up and down the steps—that's another one. Not huffing and puffing. I have this huge hill on my block. I made it up to the top of the hill. I look back and I was like, ‘I made it to the top of here.’ I didn't stop. I wasn't like trying to catch my breath or nothing—that was another victory.” — Alyssa H.

“The further along this journey I get the better my confidence is about being in my own skin and in my own clothes. And I really forgot what that felt like because it's been so long and it's, it's really exciting. ... My confidence level…was probably about a three out of 10. I'd say we've bumped up to around a five or six out of 10 and I'm super excited because I know that's just going to continue to go up.” — Colleen B.

“I can swing a golf club a lot easier now because I don't have as big of a belly. So, I don't feel as uncomfortable doing that. I'm walking my dog just a lot more than I used to. So, he's loving his life. And when I'm on the road, I don't sit in my hotel room and eat DoorDash. I go and do stuff, trying to explore a bunch of cities by myself. … Traveling by yourself when you're really not confident in yourself is terrible, and I've been able to explore the entire world in the last year just doing that and that's been really cool. So, there's a lot of confidence that's got me out of the house and to do more fun things than I would a year ago.” — Brian B.

“I can't even tell you the mindset and clarity that it has given me trying the medication. … Yes, the weight came off quick, but I think there is just so much more to it that I didn't even expect.” — Roman P.

In their reviews of tirzepatide, patients typically have positive things to say. For example, on reviews sourced from drugs.com, 81% of people reported a positive experience, while 5% reported a negative experience. When it comes to weight loss, people rave about significant reductions in their appetite, food cravings, and BMI. 

Beyond weight loss and better blood sugar control, people also mention other health benefits they’ve experienced as a result of taking the medication, such as improved physical fitness and endurance, less chronic pain, and being able to transition off other treatments. 

At the time of writing, tirzepatide has an average rating of 8.7 out of 10 on drugs.com, based on 1,740 reviews from real people. Here’s what some of them had to say:

“315-pound man, 64 heavy drinker, quit all booze, gained weight. Began rowing machine daily, gained weight. Counted all calories, 2500/day, no loss. A1C not bad 7, went on Mounjaro lowest dose 2.5. Have lost 40 pounds (!) in two months, eat anything and everything just way less and no desire to snack between. Still losing a bit, but feel plateau, may ask for larger dose. A miracle, has changed my life mentally and physically. Also, no desire to drink, a side benefit? I didn't do anything, this is all science. I pray it continues to work. Great delivery system. [...] Magic, feel strong, energetic.”

“I have learned to manage side effects (constipation) with probiotics. This is the only thing that has allowed me to lose the weight I gained post-menopause. I was a size 22 and am now almost a size 10. My BMI went from 39 to just over 30, and I have about 25 more pounds to go. I lost 45 pounds currently. I am no longer taking medication for migraines, asthma, and chronic edema, and my BP medication has been reduced by half.”

“I currently have renal failure. I needed a kidney and pancreas. I was on the list for both. I did all my workups, even a triple bypass. My doctor put me on Mounjaro because of my heart surgery and diabetes. The Mounjaro worked so well it fixed my pancreas, and now I’m just on the list for a kidney. The side effects of using it were a little diarrhea and weight loss. I was 300-plus pounds, now I am under 160. Plus, I am no longer needing insulin for my diabetes. It’s practically gone.”

“I started on Mounjaro at the end of last August. I had tried several different ways to lose weight, and if I lost, I would gain back plus some. I was taking 2 kinds of blood pressure pills a day and having hip, leg, and foot pain. I’m on the 5 mg and have currently lost 56 lbs, now weighing 120 lbs. I’m down to one blood pressure pill a day, and the dosage has been lowered. My hip, leg, and foot pain is 95% better. I feel amazing and have more confidence in myself.”

"I have had A1C 11 after two months of using Mounjaro, it's now 7, and I have been losing 2 or three pounds a week. A friend took a picture of me, and I actually saw the weight loss. I am 64 years old. I have had high blood sugar and pressure for over 10 years, so it's more than just nice to be normal. Thank you, Mounjaro medicine helped with both."

You can find plenty of tirzepatide reviews on Reddit, especially on the subreddits dedicated to discussing the medication, such as r/TirzepatideRX, r/Mounjaro, and r/Zepbound. On these communities, Reddit users share progress updates, post before/after pictures, and offer tips for coping with side effects. Here are some Mounjaro and Zepbound reviews we found on Reddit:

“Total lost: 70 pounds I started my weight loss journey september of 2024 and lost 11 pounds by dieting and exercising. October 24th 2024 I was able to start taking zepbound. I have been eating healthy, focusing on high protein foods, fruits and veggies. I feel great! I’ve had more energy. I’ve had victories on and off the scale.” – Signal-Still7028, in a r/Zepbound post titled “Finally 199!”

“Officially been on MJ for a whole year today! 6bs down and as of this morning, I’m in a healthy BMI for the first time since I was about 7/8 years old (I would guess). Feels special to have reached that goal today of all days. I can’t believe it! It’s been the most incredible year and I feel so full of hope and excitement for the future. So thankful to have access to this life changing medication!” – Alaxknits, in a r/Mounjaro post titled “1 year anniversary!” 

“I started in February of ‘24 after the scale at the doctor’s office clocked in at 265 pounds and my A1C was in the 9’s. As of today I’ve lost a total of 125 pounds and my A1C is in the low 6’s. I’ve also been able to decrease my blood pressure medication to almost nothing. I had to get a new bathing suit for an upcoming trip and I couldn’t help but pick my body apart because of all the loose skin...but then I realized that I have to celebrate being healthier.” – Top-Finger6534, in a r/Mounjaro post titled “Such a life changing experience”

“I went from 230 lbs to 186 pounds in the last 8 months or so on Zepbound. I’ve had moderate sleep apnea for many years and used a CPAP every night. Over the last few months, I would only put it on if I woke up my…wife and she smacked me. I just realized this probably hasn’t happened in over a month, so I packed the CPAP away in its carrying case and made room on my bedside table. I also used to have to clear my throat almost constantly, which is connected with sleep apnea. Haven’t had that in over a month either. [...] This drug is amazing.” – woodysixer, in a r/Zepbound post titled “I just packed away my CPAP”

Healthcare providers who treat patients taking tirzepatide share how the drug has impacted their patients, both physically and psychologically. 

Robyn Pashby PhD, a clinical and medical psychologist and founder of Health Psychology Partners, whose clinical practice often focuses on issues related to eating, weight, and internalized weight bias, says the most impactful part of tirzepatide for her clients has been the dramatic reduction in food noise. “While wanting to lose weight is a key reason most people start the meds, it is often the psychological relief from the constant thoughts about food and the pressure/drive to eat that is the most meaningful result of the medicine,” she explains. 

“The clients I work with who are on Mounjaro or tirzepatide have had mixed experiences,” says Rachel Goldberg, LMFT, PMH-C, a Los Angeles-based therapist who specializes in eating disorders. 

For some of her patients, the drug’s side effects have made it challenging to move up to the higher doses and experience a real change in their eating habits. “For others, it’s been life-changing,” Goldberg says. “They describe feeling whole in a way they never imagined—like they finally have control over their eating for the first time in their lives,” she says.

Dr. Pashby and Goldberg recommend considering talking to a psychologist or therapist to work through issues around food and body image while taking tirzepatide, since significant weight loss can change the way your body looks and how you view yourself. 

“[While] the medication can be incredibly helpful, many still experience obsessive and ruminative thoughts about their bodies and food, Goldberg says. “The content of those thoughts has shifted and they’re now focused on how relieved they feel to be on this path, but thoughts about their eating habits and the body are still very present.”

Dr. Pashby also notes that even though tirzepatide drives significant weight loss—up to 21% in one study—that can still leave people with a significant amount of body weight, depending on their baseline body weight. “[Some] people really struggle with acceptance of the way their bodies look and the number the scale reads even after this weight loss ‘success,’” she says. For these patients, therapy may focus on addressing body image and shifting the focus away from the numbers on the scale to the total health improvements they’re experiencing with the medication.

Plateaus can be a common experience during any weight loss journey, whether or not that journey includes medication like tirzepatide. These plateaus are yet another reason why it’s helpful to have a care team in place to help you push through and continue losing weight, says Michelle Pearlman, MD, CEO and co-founder of Prime Institute, who is triple board-certified in gastroenterology, internal medicine, and obesity medicine. 

“Some of my patients have hit plateaus, and I’m able to make a lot of nuanced adjustments as it pertains to either changing their medication, adjusting the doses, and/or focusing on the details when it comes to dietary changes and exercise programming as well as hormone optimization,” she shares.

Now that you’ve read some reviews of tirzepatide, there are still a few things you should know before taking the medication—namely, the side effects, risk groups, and cost.

Tirzepatide side effects

The most common side effects of tirzepatide (both Mounjaro and Zepbound) include:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Stomach pain

• Indigestion

• Injection site reactions (e.g. rash, bruising)

Zepbound may cause additional side effects, such as:

• Fatigue

• Allergic reactions

• Belching

• Hair loss

• Heartburn 

While rare, tirzepatide can cause serious side effects. These include:

• Severe gastrointestinal side effects, which can lead to dehydration

• Acute kidney injury

• Acute gallbladder disease

• Acute pancreatitis

• Serious allergic reactions, including difficulty breathing

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

• Worsening of diabetic retinopathy, which is an eye condition that can happen in people with type 2 diabetes

• Suicidal behavior or ideation

• Pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or surgical procedures

Who shouldn’t take tirzepatide?

Some people should not take tirzepatide, including anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding or who has:

• A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)

• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2), a type of thyroid cancer

• Severe gastrointestinal disease

• A known allergy to tirzepatide or any of the drug’s inactive ingredients (sodium chloride, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, hydrochloric acid solution and/or sodium hydroxide solution)

While tirzepatide is not known to have any major drug interactions, its effect on the digestive system may impact the absorption of any medications you take orally, such as birth control pills. If oral contraceptives are your only contraceptive method, your healthcare provider may recommend adding a barrier method, such as condoms, during the first few weeks of treatment or when increasing your dose, or switching to a non-oral method, such as an IUD.

And because tirzepatide lowers blood sugar, the risk of experiencing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is higher when you take it with other glucose-lowering medications like insulin or sulfonylureas. To reduce the likelihood of this happening, your healthcare provider may lower your dosage of insulin or oral diabetes meds. 

To ensure tirzepatide will be safe for you to take, share your full medical history and a list of all current medications with your prescribing provider.

Tirzepatide cost 

The cost of tirzepatide ranges from $349 to upwards of $1,000, depending on the version of the drug you’re taking and your insurance coverage. Out-of-pocket, a monthly supply of tirzepatide costs:

• $1,255–$1,378 for a pack of four Zepbound pens (all dosage strengths)

• $1,223–$1,296 for a pack of four Mounjaro pens (all dosage strengths) 

• $349–$699 for a pack of four Zepbound vials (2.5–10 mg dosage strengths only)

If your insurance plan covers tirzepatide, you may only be responsible for a copay and may pay significantly less for your monthly refill. You may also be eligible for the official savings cards offered by Eli Lilly. 

• The Zepbound Savings Card can lower the price to as little as $25 for those with a plan that includes coverage for Zepbound and to $650 for those with a plan that doesn’t include coverage. 

• The Mounjaro Savings Card lowers the price to as low as $25 for those with a plan that includes coverage for Mounjaro. 

Neither Eli Lilly savings offers can be used by those with a government-funded insurance plan, such as Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or VA.  They are only available to those with a commercial insurance plan.

It’s worth noting that insurance plans typically only cover a medication when it is taken for an FDA-approved indication. In other words, Mounjaro may not be covered if you’re taking it off-label for weight loss and you don’t have type 2 diabetes, since it is only FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Also, the Zepbound vials are cash-pay only and are not eligible for insurance coverage or any Zepbound coupons.

If your plan doesn’t cover tirzepatide, or if you pay cash for your prescriptions, you can still save on the cost of tirzepatide by using a pharmacy discount card. Available through sites such as GoodRx, SingleCare, Optum Perks, and others, these cards are free to download and use. You just need to visit the website, search for your preferred pharmacy and prescribed dosage, and then save or print the card to show your pharmacist.

Tirzepatide (the active ingredient in the GIP/GLP-1 medications Mounjaro and Zepbound) has become one of the most talked-about medications for weight loss, diabetes, and sleep apnea—thanks to its powerful effects on appetite, blood sugar, and body weight. Both clinical studies and patient stories speak to the drug’s transformative effects, but it’s important to be aware of the side effects and cost of taking the medication.  

• In clinical trials, tirzepatide produced an average 72-week weight loss as high as 21%. People taking it for type 2 diabetes experience an average reduction in their HbA1c levels between 1.87%–2.09%.  The drug also outperforms semaglutide in decreasing body weight and blood sugar levels.

• Patient reviews—from Ro, Reddit, and other platforms—reveal life-changing impacts, such as boosted confidence, reduced medications, improved mobility, and a renewed outlook on life.

• Psychological relief from food-related thoughts is a major benefit, according to patients and healthcare providers, but body image struggles, fear of weight regain, and obsessive thoughts may still persist for some users.

• Common side effects of tirzepatide include nausea, constipation, and fatigue, while rare but serious risks include hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, and kidney or gallbladder issues.

• The cost of tirzepatide ranges from ranging from $349 to $1,378 per month, depending on the version of the medication and insurance coverage. For eligible individuals, savings cards and pharmacy discount programs can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.