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GLP-1 / GIP medication
Tirzepatide for Weight Loss — How It Works and What to Expect
Tirzepatide is the dual-receptor medication behind Mounjaro and Zepbound, and it produced the highest average weight loss of any non-surgical treatment in clinical trials. At Praxiom, it's physician-prescribed and titrated month by month.
No payment required | Takes 2–5 minutes | HIPAA compliant
What is tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a dual agonist: it activates both the GLP-1 receptor and the GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptor. It's the active ingredient in Mounjaro, approved for type 2 diabetes, and Zepbound, approved for chronic weight management.
Like semaglutide, it's a once-weekly injection. The second receptor is what sets it apart — and what appears to account for the larger average weight loss seen in head-to-head trial data.
Drug class: Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist · Brand names: Mounjaro, Zepbound · Administration: once-weekly subcutaneous injection
How it works
GLP-1 activation slows gastric emptying, increases satiety, and improves insulin response. Adding GIP activation appears to amplify those effects and improve how the body handles fat and glucose, though the full mechanism is still being characterized.
For patients, the difference usually shows up as stronger appetite suppression at a given point in titration. That can be an advantage, and it's also a reason titration needs to be managed carefully rather than rushed.
What results look like
In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, adults without diabetes taking tirzepatide lost an average of about 15% to 21% of their body weight over 72 weeks, depending on dose — the highest averages reported for any non-surgical weight loss treatment to date. In SURMOUNT-5, tirzepatide outperformed semaglutide head to head.
Trial averages describe groups, not individuals. Your response depends on your starting point, dose, adherence, and how your body reacts — which is what the monthly physician review is for.
Dosing and titration
Tirzepatide starts at 2.5 mg weekly — a non-therapeutic starting dose whose only job is to let your body acclimate — then steps up in 2.5 mg increments no faster than every four weeks. Many patients reach a good response well before the top of the ladder and stay there.
The ladder above reflects the FDA-approved products; compounded protocols are set by your prescribing physician. Your Praxiom physician decides each increase based on your results and how you tolerated the last step, not a fixed calendar.
See what to expect month by month for how the review cadence works in practice.
Side effects
Most commonly reported
Nausea, most often in the days after a dose increase
Diarrhea or constipation
Decreased appetite and early fullness
Fatigue, particularly early in titration
Injection-site reactions
Gastrointestinal effects are the most common reason patients pause or slow titration, and they usually improve with time, smaller dose steps, and practical eating adjustments. Serious risks — pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and dehydration-related kidney injury — are uncommon but warrant prompt attention. Report severe or persistent abdominal pain right away.
Who tirzepatide is for
A likely fit if
Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related condition
Patients who want the highest average weight loss available without surgery
People who plateaued on a GLP-1-only medication and want a physician to reassess
Anyone with insulin resistance or metabolic markers their physician wants to address alongside weight
Not appropriate for
Anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 syndrome
People who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding
Patients with a history of pancreatitis, without careful physician evaluation
Anyone with a known hypersensitivity to tirzepatide
Your intake evaluation screens for all of these. A Praxiom physician only proceeds if treatment is medically appropriate.
Tirzepatide questions, answered
Is tirzepatide better than semaglutide?
On average, tirzepatide produced greater weight loss in clinical trials, including head to head against semaglutide. But "better" depends on the individual: tolerability, medical history, cost, and how your body responds all matter. Many patients do very well on semaglutide, and some tolerate it better. Your physician makes the call with you, and it can be revisited.
Is tirzepatide the same as Mounjaro or Zepbound?
Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in both. Mounjaro is labeled for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for chronic weight management. Compounded tirzepatide contains the same active ingredient, prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacy.
Can I switch from semaglutide to tirzepatide?
Often, yes. Switching is common when weight loss stalls or side effects don't settle, and it requires a physician to set the starting dose on the new medication — you don't carry your old dose across. Your Praxiom physician handles the transition as part of your monthly review.
What does tirzepatide cost through Praxiom?
All-in monthly packages start at $263.99/month for compounded tirzepatide, including medication, monthly physician review, shipping, and pharmacy coordination. Your exact package depends on your prescribed dose, and you see the price before any charge is made.
Find out whether tirzepatide is right for you
Eligibility takes a few minutes and requires no payment. If tirzepatide isn't the right fit, a Praxiom physician will tell you — and explain what is.
Check EligibilityConfidential. No obligation. Takes 2–5 minutes.