What You Need to Know About Tirzepatide Weight Loss Results

Weight loss can be challenging, particularly if you have tried to stick to a diet and exercise regimen with no noticeable results. Fortunately, weight loss medications have come out recently that provide the necessary support to help you reach that elusive goal number on the scale. But with different choices available, and some in scarce supply, how do you choose the right medication for you? 

Tirzepatide is one of the medications that has recently been FDA-approved for weight loss.¹ Clinical studies have shown this medication helped many subjects lose significant weight over time.² These Tirzepatide weight loss results have led to supply shortages, which has allowed licensed compounding pharmacies to compound formulations while the commercial drugs are considered “not commercially available” due to the drug shortage.³ ⁴ Compounded Tirzepatide is custom-mixed to the specific needs of each patient with greater availability and a more attractive price tag.

How Do GLP-1 Agonist Weight Management Medications Work?

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone the body produces to trigger insulin secretion.⁵ A GLP-1 receptor agonist is a medication that stimulates insulin secretion to help regulate blood sugar levels.⁵

Numerous medications fall under this umbrella, including Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Tirzepatide.⁵ These GLP-1 agonists are considered long-acting medications, which are effective in treating people with Type 2 Diabetes.⁵

GLP-1 agonists were originally approved to treat people with Type 2 Diabetes. However, they were also shown to be effective in reducing body weight, leading to some forms of this medication gaining FDA approval to treat people with obesity.⁵ A clinical review found that these weight management medications reduced body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference.⁶

In addition to their ability to increase insulin secretion, GLP-1 agonists also send messages to the brain that reduce appetite and increase feelings of satiety.⁷ This makes it easier to reduce calorie consumption as part of a weight loss program.

What Is Tirzepatide? 

Tirzepatide is a once-weekly subcutaneous injectable medication.⁸ It’s been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes since 2022.⁸ In November 2023, the FDA approved Tirzepatide for the treatment of obesity under the brand name Zepbound®.¹ Both brand-name products are manufactured by Eli Lilly and Co. 

To aid in weight loss, Tirzepatide works by:⁸

• Stimulating the body to increase insulin secretion

• Controlling blood sugar levels

• Increasing levels of adiponectin, a hormone released by adipose fat tissue to aid in insulin sensitivity

• Reducing appetite 

Tirzepatide is also a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).⁸ GIP is considered the most potent incretin hormone, making it even more effective in insulin secretion.⁹

Studies on Tirzepatide have shown this medication is effective as a weight loss treatment. One study found that overweight people lost an average of 15%-20.9% of their total body weight in 72 weeks when using Tirzepatide.² Participants also showed improvements in cardiometabolic measures, such as waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and lipid levels.² A second study that focused on people with Type 2 Diabetes found that Tirzepatide helped subjects lose an average of 24.25lbs (11kg) after taking the medication for 28 weeks.²

Tirzepatide vs. Semaglutide 

Semaglutide preceded Tirzepatide in FDA approval as a weight loss medication, in 2021.¹⁰ There are some similarities between the two medications, as well as one primary difference. 

Both Semaglutide and Tirzepatide work as a GLP-1 agonist, stimulating insulin secretion to effectively manage blood sugar levels. However, Tirzepatide also functions as a GIP agonist, and is the only GLP-1 agonist approved for weight loss that has this feature to date.⁵ The additional agent may make Tirzepatide more efficient in regulating blood sugar and may increase weight loss results as well.¹¹

Initial studies have shown that Tirzepatide weight loss may be greater than that achieved with Semaglutide. One particular study found that Tirzepatide demonstrated higher body weight reductions, with test subjects losing an average of 24.25lbs (11kg) over 28 weeks, versus around 15lbs (7kg) with Semaglutide.¹¹ Fat mass reductions were also higher, indicating the weight lost with Tirzepatide was primarily driven by fat mass reduction.¹¹

While results with Semaglutide were not as high, weight loss results for patients on this medication were still significant. Since Semaglutide has also been used to treat weight loss for longer, there is also more clinical evidence available to support its safety and efficacy. 

What Can I Expect with Tirzepatide Weight Loss Results? 

When combined with lifestyle adjustments like a reduced-calorie diet, physical activity, and regular behavioral counseling, Tirzepatide treatment can result in a substantial loss of body weight.¹¹ One study noted subjects lost an average of 24.5% of their total body weight when combining name-brand Tirzepatide treatment with lifestyle changes.¹³

Researchers also found that participants in the study showed improvement in other markers, including:¹³ 

• BMI

• Waist circumference

• Systolic and diastolic blood pressure

• Lipid levels

Subjects also reported improved physical function after taking Tirzepatide.¹³

Body weight reduction from intensive lifestyle interventions alone has some drawbacks for people with obesity and related health conditions. First, weight loss is not usually substantial enough to improve those health conditions. Second, weight loss is not typically permanent, as most people will gain back at least a percentage of the weight lost once the lifestyle changes stop. This is where Tirzepatide can help. 

How Long Will It Take to See Tirzepatide Weight Loss Results? 

A study conducted using name-brand Tirzepatide found that body weight differences were observed as early as five weeks into the treatment program.¹¹ Another study found that participants lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight after 9 months on Tirzepatide.¹²

While these findings are encouraging, they do not indicate that everyone who takes Tirzepatide will see similar weight loss results. Many factors can influence your actual weight loss during treatment, including a reduced-calorie diet, physical exercise, and support. However, the results do show the efficacy of Tirzepatide when compared with a placebo, indicating this weight management medication is effective overall. 

Who Is Not a Candidate for Tirzepatide? 

Tirzepatide is an appropriate treatment for most people who need pharmacological support to lose weight. However, there are a few contraindications associated with this weight management medication, including:¹³

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma 

• Patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2

• Known serious hypersensitivity to Tirzepatide

• Women who are pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive

• Patients who are taking another GLP-1 agonist, like Semaglutide or Liraglutide

• Patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus

The medication has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis.¹ Patients who suspect they might have pancreatitis should stop taking the medication immediately. 

The side effects associated with Tirzepatide are generally mild and consist mainly of gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and abdominal pain.¹ Furthermore, decreased appetite is also often reported with this medication.¹

To ensure your safety while taking Tirzepatide, make sure you are working with a licensed practitioner who is knowledgeable about your medical history and available if any concerns or symptoms arise. 

How to Find Tirzepatide During the Shortage

The significant weight loss results shown in recent studies have put Tirzepatide in high demand. The manufacturer of the brand-name medication has not been able to keep up with the increasing demand, which has led to Tirzepatide shortages.¹ This means people with Type 2 diabetes and obesity have not had easy access to their much-needed medication. 

Fortunately, the FDA has made a way for people to get their medications when the supply runs low through compounding. Compounded Tirzepatide has the same active ingredient as the brand-name medication, but it’s easier to find and often comes with a lower price tag.

What Are Compounded Medications?

Compounded medications combine the active ingredient with other agents, such as vitamin supplementation. Licensed compounding pharmacies and FDA-licensed outsourcing facilities can also remove ingredients that you might be allergic to, allowing you to take the medication you need without worrying about an allergic reaction.

Is Compounded Tirzepatide a Safe Option? 

To ensure the compounded medication you receive is both safe and effective, the FDA has provided a few guidelines to help you know where to find the medicine you need:⁴

1. First, the medication must be on the FDA’s Drug Shortages list to be eligible for compounding. 

2. Next, the FDA recommends that people get their prescription for Compounded Tirzepatide from a licensed practitioner. This healthcare professional will prescribe the medication after collecting pertinent information like your full medical history, current health conditions, and previous weight loss efforts. 

3. Your practitioner should also work with a state-licensed pharmacy or FDA-registered outsourcing facility. These centers adhere to the strictest guidelines regarding sterility, ingredient quality, and compounding processes. 

When you work with a licensed practitioner and accredited pharmacy, you can rest assured your Compounded Tirzepatide will be in compliance and appropriately dosed. 

Get Compounded Tirzepatide Delivered to Your Door

Henry Meds offers Compounded Tirzepatide for weight management. Our process is simple but thorough. When you visit our website, you can choose a program and appointment time, and provide some basic health information for us to review. After registering and adding your payment information, you will confirm your email address to receive the doxy link for your telehealth visit. Click this link to launch your telehealth appointment at the scheduled time.

During your telehealth visit, your licensed practitioner will collect additional information to determine whether Compounded Tirzepatide is the right choice for you. This is also your opportunity to ask questions and share concerns before you begin your weight loss journey. 

If Compounded Tirzepatide is appropriate for you, your medication will begin arriving in the mail directly from our compounding pharmacy and according to your dosing schedule. 

When brand-name medications are hard to find or too expensive, compounded medications can be a safe and effective alternative. Henry Meds works with you to determine the best weight management medication for your specific needs and goals. Contact Henry Meds today to learn more or complete our short intake form to get the process started. 

Disclaimer: 

Please note: Henry Meds does not offer Mounjaro® or Zepbound®, which are only available from the Eli Lilly company. Compounded Tirzepatide is a patient-specific medication created in a state Board of Pharmacy or FDA-licensed compounding facility per a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. Compounded drugs are required to exclusively use ingredients from FDA-licensed facilities, and test sterile compounds for potency, sterility, and purity. While compounded drugs are legal they do not undergo pre-market approval from the FDA as they are not made in large batches for the public, compounds are made based on specific orders from a medical professional. Because of that the dose, route of administration, safety, and efficacy may differ from commercially available, brand-name, drugs. Henry Meds exclusively works with licensed sterile compounding pharmacies in the United States.