Tirzepatide
Also known as: Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist
An FDA-approved dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist for type-2 diabetes and weight loss.
Tirzepatide at a glance
| Name | Tirzepatide |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist |
| Category | Metabolic & weight |
| Type | Peptide |
| Sequence | Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Typical dose | Titrated; ~2.5 mg → up to ~15 mg weekly |
| Frequency | Once weekly |
| Route | Subcutaneous injection |
| Half-life | Long (~5 days) — once-weekly dosing. |
Overview
Tirzepatide is a “twincretin” that activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, approved for type-2 diabetes and weight management. Hitting two incretin pathways produced some of the largest weight-loss and glucose-lowering results seen in trials, with once-weekly dosing.
How it’s thought to work
- Dual agonist of GIP and GLP-1 receptors.
- Improves insulin response, lowers appetite, and slows gastric emptying.
Researched uses
- Type-2 diabetes (approved)
- Weight management (approved)
- Cardiometabolic research
Commonly cited protocol
| Typical dose | Titrated; ~2.5 mg → up to ~15 mg weekly |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Once weekly |
| Route | Subcutaneous injection |
| Notes | Titrate up slowly to limit GI side effects. |
Reconstitution
Prescription pens are pre-filled. Research vials are commonly 10 mg; 10 mg with 2 mL water = 5 mg/mL, so 2.5 mg = 50 units on a U-100 syringe.
Tirzepatide dosage calculator
The calculator below is pre-filled with Tirzepatide’s commonly cited vial size and dose. Adjust the vial amount, bacteriostatic water, or dose to match your own vial — it will show the exact insulin-syringe units to draw, the concentration, and how many doses the vial holds.
Add 2 mL of bacteriostatic water to your 10 mg vial. That gives you about 4 doses of 2.5 mg. For each dose, draw 50 units into a 100-unit insulin syringe.
See the full Tirzepatide dosing chart (units for every dose & water amount), or open the full peptide calculator →
Cautions
- Prescription medication; use under medical supervision.
- Nausea and GI effects; rodent thyroid C-cell tumor warning.
- Not for personal-history MTC/MEN2 or pregnancy.
Tirzepatide FAQ
What is Tirzepatide?
An FDA-approved dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist for type-2 diabetes and weight loss.
How does Tirzepatide work?
Dual agonist of GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Improves insulin response, lowers appetite, and slows gastric emptying.
What is Tirzepatide used for?
Type-2 diabetes (approved); Weight management (approved); Cardiometabolic research.
What is a typical Tirzepatide dose?
Titrated; ~2.5 mg → up to ~15 mg weekly, Once weekly, Subcutaneous injection. This is a commonly cited figure for context only, not medical advice.
How do you reconstitute Tirzepatide?
Prescription pens are pre-filled. Research vials are commonly 10 mg; 10 mg with 2 mL water = 5 mg/mL, so 2.5 mg = 50 units on a U-100 syringe.
What is the half-life of Tirzepatide?
Long (~5 days) — once-weekly dosing.