Tirzepatide: what the research says
Also known as Mounjaro, Zepbound, LY3298176.
Approved Tirzepatide is a licensed medicine in at least one country, prescribed by a doctor.
Key facts
- Class
- Acts on two gut-hormone receptors: GLP-1 and GIP.
- How it works
- Raises insulin release when sugar is high, improves insulin sensitivity, lowers glucagon and slows stomach emptying.
- Main trial results
- In SURMOUNT-1, the highest dose gave 20.9% average weight loss at 72 weeks vs 3.1% on placebo. In SURMOUNT-5, tirzepatide led to more weight loss than semaglutide (20.2% vs 13.7%).
Anti-doping (WADA) status
Not on the WADA Prohibited List, but covered by WADA monitoring together with semaglutide.
Status in Nepal
FDA-approved as Mounjaro (type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (weight management). We could not confirm its registration with Nepal's Department of Drug Administration. It is a prescription medicine.
Sources
- Jastreboff et al., Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-1, NEJM 2022; 387:205-216)
- Aronne et al., Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-5, NEJM 2025; 393:26-36)
- FDA: approval of Zepbound for chronic weight management (Nov 2023)
This page explains research. It is not a recommendation to use Tirzepatide. Talk to a doctor before using any medicine.
