This page is factual information, not an advertisement. It is intended for people who are already using or considering our service and want to read about the treatments a prescriber may discuss with them. It is not a recommendation, and it does not mean any of these treatments is suitable for you. Suitability is decided only after a consultation and clinical assessment.
The condition it is used for
Tirzepatide is used for weight management in adults, alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. It is also separately licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
What it is and how it is taken
Tirzepatide is a prescription-only medicine. It is given as an injection under the skin once a week, using a pre-filled pen. You can give the injection yourself once you have been shown how. The dose is usually started low and increased in steps over several months, which helps to reduce side effects.
How it is usually used
It is used as part of a wider plan that includes what you eat and how active you are, not instead of those changes. The dose is reviewed at each step and is only increased if the current dose is well tolerated.
More common side effects
The more common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion, reduced appetite and tiredness. These are usually worst shortly after a dose increase and tend to settle as the body adjusts.
Who it is generally not suitable for
It is generally not suitable in pregnancy, breastfeeding or when trying to conceive, in a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, in a history of pancreatitis, in severe gastrointestinal disease, or in people with a current or past eating disorder.
Key safety points
- Seek medical help for severe, persistent abdominal pain that may spread to the back, which can indicate pancreatitis.
- Dehydration from vomiting or diarrhoea can affect the kidneys, so keep drinking fluids and seek advice if you cannot.
- It may affect the absorption of oral medicines, including oral contraception, so additional contraceptive precautions may be advised.
- It must be used alongside diet and activity changes, not instead of them.
Other options
Other medicines and approaches exist for weight management, and which (if any) is suitable for you is decided at your consultation and clinical assessment.
If you experience a side effect from any medicine you can report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine.
Want to talk it through?
Whether any treatment is suitable for you is decided at a consultation. Arrange an assessment with our pharmacy team.