Find Tirzepatide Therapy Near You
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight loss and blood sugar control.
Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist prescribed for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. It is the first medication to target both incretin receptors, earning the label “twincretin.” The FDA approved it as Zepbound for weight loss and Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes. In head-to-head clinical trials, tirzepatide produced more average weight loss than semaglutide. The directory below lists providers who offer tirzepatide in your area.
What Tirzepatide Is and How It Works
Tirzepatide was engineered from the native GIP peptide sequence, with added GLP-1 agonist activity built in. That dual mechanism is what sets it apart from semaglutide, which only targets GLP-1.
The GLP-1 side does what you would expect: it slows gastric emptying and reduces appetite. The GIP side adds synergistic effects that go beyond appetite suppression. GIP activation preferentially mobilizes visceral fat, improves insulin sensitivity independent of caloric deficit, and amplifies insulin secretion beyond what GLP-1 achieves alone.
MRI-based substudies from the SURMOUNT trials measured the difference directly. At 72 weeks on the 15mg dose, participants saw visceral fat reduction of 32-38%, compared to 18-22% subcutaneous fat reduction. That differential effect is mechanistically distinct from caloric restriction alone. Your body is not just losing weight. It is losing the most metabolically dangerous fat first.
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection. No oral form is available, unlike semaglutide which has a tablet option (Rybelsus). The FDA approved it for adults with BMI 30 or higher, or BMI 27 or higher with at least one weight-related condition.
FDA-Approved Forms
| Brand | Indication | Form | Max Dose | Approved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zepbound | Weight loss | Weekly injection | 15mg | 2023 |
| Mounjaro | Type 2 diabetes | Weekly injection | 15mg | 2022 |
Mounjaro is frequently prescribed off-label for weight loss, similar to how Ozempic (semaglutide) is used. No oral form or higher-dose version is available yet, though Eli Lilly has pipeline formulations in development.
Dosing and Titration
Tirzepatide starts at 2.5mg weekly. This is a tolerability dose, not a therapeutic one.
The standard titration increases by 2.5mg every 4 weeks: 2.5, then 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and finally 15mg. A full ramp to the maximum dose takes 20-24 weeks.
There are three official maintenance doses: 5mg, 10mg, and 15mg. Unlike semaglutide, which has one target dose, tirzepatide offers flexibility to stop at the dose that balances efficacy and tolerability for you.
Weight loss becomes meaningful at 5mg and increases substantially at 10mg and 15mg. The 2.5mg starting dose is for acclimation only. If a provider starts you above 2.5mg, ask why.
Administer via single-use pen (KwikPen). Injection sites include the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate injection sites each week.
Clinical Trial Results
The SURMOUNT program is the largest clinical trial series for tirzepatide in weight management. Here are the key results.
- ✓SURMOUNT-1 (2022, NEJM): 2,539 adults without diabetes over 72 weeks. Tirzepatide at 15mg produced 22.5% mean body weight loss. At 10mg: 19.5%. At 5mg: 15.0%. Placebo: 3.1%. Among patients on the 15mg dose, 91% achieved at least 5% weight loss and 57% achieved 20% or more.
- ✓SURMOUNT-2 (2023): Adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The 15mg dose produced 14.7% weight loss. Diabetes blunts the weight loss response compared to non-diabetic patients, which is consistent across GLP-1 medications.
- ✓SURMOUNT-5 (2025, NEJM): The first head-to-head comparison against semaglutide. Over 72 weeks, tirzepatide 15mg produced 20.2% weight loss versus 13.7% for semaglutide 2.4mg. That is a 6.5 percentage point advantage, and tirzepatide was statistically superior.
These are averages. Individual response varies by 10 or more percentage points in either direction. Some patients respond better to semaglutide for reasons not fully understood.
Visceral fat: MRI substudies showed tirzepatide reduced visceral adipose tissue by 32-38% at 72 weeks, more than the 18-22% reduction in subcutaneous fat. This preferential visceral fat reduction has metabolic significance beyond cosmetic weight change.
Cardiovascular outcomes: The SURPASS-CVOT trial is studying cardiovascular outcomes. Early data is promising, but tirzepatide is not yet FDA-label approved for CV risk reduction (unlike semaglutide/Wegovy).
Weight regain: Like semaglutide, weight regain occurs after discontinuation. SURMOUNT-4 showed patients who switched from tirzepatide to placebo regained approximately half of lost weight over 52 weeks.
Side Effects and Safety
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea (17-22% across doses), diarrhea (13-16%), vomiting (6-10%), constipation, and injection site reactions. Side effects are comparable to semaglutide. The dual mechanism does not significantly increase GI side effect rates.
GI symptoms peak during dose escalation and typically improve within 2-4 weeks at each dose level. Approximately 5-8% of clinical trial participants discontinued due to adverse effects.
Tirzepatide carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodent studies (same as semaglutide). It is contraindicated in patients with a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN type 2. Other risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and hypoglycemia when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas.
Muscle preservation is a real concern. Without adequate protein intake and resistance exercise, 15-25% of weight lost can be lean mass. Discuss a muscle-preservation protocol with your provider.
For managing side effects: eat slowly, choose smaller meals, and stay hydrated. If nausea is severe, your provider can slow the titration schedule or add anti-nausea medication.
Cost and Insurance
Brand-name Zepbound runs $1,200-$1,600 per month without insurance. Compounded tirzepatide from licensed 503A/503B pharmacies typically costs $250-$500 per month, usually $50-$100 more than compounded semaglutide.
The FDA has been tightening compounded GLP-1 availability. As brand shortages resolve, compounded access becomes more legally restricted. Confirm with your provider that their pharmacy source is currently compliant.
Insurance coverage varies. Mounjaro is more widely covered than Zepbound. Some providers prescribe Mounjaro off-label for weight loss to access better insurance coverage. Zepbound coverage for obesity depends on your plan.
Medicare Part D GLP-1 Bridge launches July 2026 with a $50 copay for eligible beneficiaries. HSA and FSA funds are eligible at most providers. Eli Lilly offers a Zepbound savings card where eligible commercially insured patients may pay as little as $25 per month.
Budget ranges: $300-$550 per month for compounded telehealth programs, $600-$1,200 for brand-name in-person programs with labs and monitoring.
How to Find a Tirzepatide Provider
Browse the directory below for providers offering tirzepatide near you.
Tirzepatide is newer than semaglutide, so fewer providers carry it. If your local options are limited, consider telehealth. See our telehealth providers page for nationwide options.
Questions to ask your provider:
- Do you offer tirzepatide specifically (not just semaglutide)?
- Brand-name, compounded, or both?
- What dose will you start me at?
- What happens if I need to switch to semaglutide?
Also see: Weight Loss Peptide Therapy for a complete GLP-1 clinic evaluation guide. And: Semaglutide for comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tirzepatide better than semaglutide for weight loss?
On average, yes. SURMOUNT-5 showed tirzepatide 15mg produced 20.2% weight loss vs 13.7% for semaglutide 2.4mg over 72 weeks. But individual response varies significantly. Some patients achieve better results with semaglutide. The best choice depends on your medical history, tolerance, budget, and provider availability.
What is the difference between Mounjaro and Zepbound?
Same active ingredient (tirzepatide), same manufacturer (Eli Lilly), different FDA-approved indications. Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes. Zepbound is approved for weight loss. Dosing and delivery are identical.
How much weight can I expect to lose on tirzepatide?
Clinical trial averages at the highest dose (15mg): 20-22% of body weight over 72 weeks. At 10mg: about 19-20%. At 5mg: about 15%. Real-world results typically trail clinical trial averages due to differences in adherence and support.