Use of Tirzepatide for Weight Management

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive body fat accumulation that increase risk of noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes mellitus. The diagnosis of overweight and obesity is based on body mass index (BMI). Treatments for overweight and obesity include lifestyle modification (such as reducing calories intake from foods and increasing physical activity), medication and bariatric surgery. Currently, tirzepatide, a novel medication is launched in the market and indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m²) with at least one weight-related comorbid condition (such as hypertension, dyslipidemia or type 2 diabetes mellitus). It works as a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, leading to weight reduction. The recommended dose is 5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly. The dosage may be increased in 2.5 mg increments, after at least 4 weeks on the current dose. The maximum dose is 15 mg once weekly. The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite and abdominal pain.