*Patients without diabetes but with a BMI of ≥30, or ≥27 with comorbidities, lost an average of 20% of their body weight in 1 year in a 72-week clinical trial evaluating 10 and 15 mg tirzepatide, when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Coming soon through Ro
Tirzepatide for weight loss
(tirzepatide) injection
A weekly shot to lose weight
Lose 20% of your body weight on average in 1 year*
Helps you feel full faster, longer
Mounjaro is not FDA-approved for weight loss, but may be prescribed if a provider deems it appropriate
Tirzepatide treats type 2 diabetes but may be prescribed for weight loss, if appropriate. Tirzepatide may have serious side effects, including possible thyroid tumors. Do not use if you or your family have a history of a type of thyroid cancer called MTC or MEN 2. Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
What’s the buzz about tirzepatide? It works!
People on higher doses of tirzepatide lose 20% of their weight over a year, on average.*
Revolutionary medication
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injectable medication, currently FDA-approved under the brand name Mounjaro, to treat type 2 diabetes. Tirzepatide for weight loss is still undergoing FDA evaluation. For now, when a healthcare provider prescribes tirzepatide for weight loss, they do so off-label if it’s appropriate for the patient.
Tirzepatide is a dual-action GLP-1/GIP agonist and works by mimicking your natural hormones, promoting a sense of fullness that lasts longer.
Tirzepatide is not offered through the Body Program. See other medication options available through the Body Program.
Mounjaro
tirzepatide
In tirzepatide clinical trials, patients on the higher doses lost an average of 20% of their body weight*
"Is using medication to lose weight cheating?"
Dr. Steve Silvestro, Ro
*Patients without diabetes but with a BMI of ≥30, or ≥27 with comorbidities, lost an average of 20% of their body weight in 1 year in a 72-week clinical trial evaluating 10 and 15 mg tirzepatide, when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Tirzepatide 101
What is tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a prescription medication approved by the FDA to help control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. If appropriate for the patient, a healthcare provider may also prescribe it off-label for weight loss.
Tirzepatide works differently than Ozempic (semaglutide) or Wegovy (semaglutide) because it is a “dual-agonist” of both the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor and another receptor called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
How does tirzepatide work?
Tirzepatide mimics the actions of GLP-1 and GIP hormones, leading to lower blood sugar levels and decreasing your appetite. It also slows down the digestion process, meaning that when you eat, food stays in your stomach longer, making you lose weight by feeling full for longer and consuming fewer calories.
Do you prescribe tirzepatide for weight loss?
Tirzepatide is currently only FDA-approved for treating type 2 diabetes, and it is used off-label for weight loss. Ro does not offer tirzepatide right now.
The injectable drug helps you lose weight by mimicking the action of two hormones in your body, GLP-1 and GIP. By doing this, tirzepatide controls your appetite levels and also slows down how fast food moves through your stomach, making you feel fuller longer.
What is tirzepatide’s dosing?
Similar to GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy (active ingredient semaglutide), tirzepatide dosing gradually increases. Typically, you start at 2.5 mg per week (the lowest dose) and increase to a maximum dose of 15 mg per week, if appropriate.
How do you take tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide comes in a prefilled, single-dose pen that needs to be injected subcutaneously just under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Still have questions? We have answers.
There are no specific foods that you need to avoid when taking tirzepatide. However, some people taking tirzepatide experience gastrointestinal side effects, like nausea, until a steady dose is reached. For this reason, some people choose to avoid certain foods that may exacerbate their side effects.
Tirzepatide comes with a risk of potential side effects. The most common side effects are often linked to a dose increase. Over time, these side effects improve once a steady dose is reached.
Some of the most common side effects include:
Nausea
Diarrhea
Decreased appetite
Vomiting
Constipation
Indigestion
Stomach pain
More severe side effects are rarer, but possible. Serious side effects include:
Possible thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer—The FDA has issued its most serious warning (called a boxed warning) that tirzepatide may be associated with a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma. So far, this side effect has primarily been seen in laboratory studies using rodents, so the risk to humans has not been determined.
Pancreatitis
Low blood sugar
Severe allergy (hypersensitivity)
Kidney disease
Gastrointestinal disease
Vision problems (diabetic retinopathy)
Gallbladder disease
For full safety information, including boxed warning, see ISI.
You should keep tirzepatide in the refrigerator and store the pens in their original packaging to protect them from light. Do not freeze the tirzepatide pens.
If you are traveling, you can keep your tirzepatide unrefrigerated for up to 21 days. Just make sure the temperature does not get any higher than 86°F (30°C).
Tirzepatide starts to work after you take your first dose, but it will likely take several weeks to months to see a change in your weight or blood sugar levels.
The short answer is yes you can switch GLP-1 drugs. However, each one has a different dose and dosing schedule so be sure to discuss this with your provider before making the change. Some people may experience more or different side effects when switching from one GLP-1 drug to another. And it will still take several weeks for the full effect of the new drug to take hold.
Weight management tips from our experts
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Foods to avoid while taking Mounjaro
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Important safety information
What you should know before taking Mounjaro.