Tirzepatide, also known as Monjaro, is a drug that has been approved by the FDA to improve blood sugar regulation in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is expected to be approved for weight loss treatment this year, and some experts believe it could become the most popular drug ever due to its potential for up to $48 billion in annual sales. Tirzepatide was found to be highly effective in phase 3 clinical trial, where patients lost an average of 22.5% of their body weight or about 52 pounds. This is significantly more weight loss than other weight loss drugs, such as Wegovy and Saxenda, which produced weight loss of around 15% and 5%, respectively. It is currently unknown exactly how tirzepatide works to promote weight loss.
What Tirzepatide Means?
Tirzepatide is an injectable medication that belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists. It works by mimicking hormones that help regulate blood sugar and appetite. It is taken once a week and has been shown to decrease food intake and increase energy expenditure. Tirzepatide is similar to other GLP-1 agonists such as Wegovy and Saxenda, but it also contains an element that mimics a hormone called GIP, which helps to reduce appetite and improve the body’s ability to break down sugar and fat. The combination of these elements is believed to improve the brain’s perception of weight, leading to weight loss and improved blood sugar regulation. This is according to Fatima Cody Stanford, M.D., Ph.D., an obesity medicine physician and clinical researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital.
During phase 3 clinical trials, patients taking tirzepatide lost an average of 15 more pounds than those taking a placebo, and an average of 23 more pounds when combined with insulin. Tirzepatide belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists, which are already popular for weight loss. However, Jamie Alan, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, believes that tirzepatide will be even more effective. Mir Ali, M.D., a bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, notes that tirzepatide can be an effective tool for weight loss, but it should be used in combination with lifestyle modifications for long-term effectiveness.
What is tirzepatide used for?
Tirzepatide is a medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is a once-weekly injection, also known as Mounjaro, and is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. In clinical trials, Tirzepatide has been shown to reduce HbA1c and body weight in those with type 2 diabetes. It has been approved by the FDA for use in May 2022 and is given by subcutaneous injection. When used in combination with diet and exercise, Tirzepatide can help improve blood sugar control and provide better outcomes for those with type 2 diabetes.
What does tirzepatide cost?
Tirzepatide, a new medication developed by Eli Lilly, is a promising treatment for type 2 diabetes and has been shown to assist with weight loss. Prices for the drug vary, but it typically ranges between $965 to $1020 with a coupon from local pharmacies. The list price is $1,023.04 per fill, but the amount you pay will depend on your prescription drug insurance plan. Discount programs may reduce the monthly out-of-pocket cost to as little as $25. The ICER has set a health-benefit price benchmark range for the treatment of between $5,500 and $5,700 per year. If the FDA confirms the drug’s effectiveness, a “fair” price for tirzepatide could be around $13,000 annually, or around $1,100 a month.
Is tirzepatide covered by insurance?
It is not currently known whether tirzepatide will be covered by insurance, as it has not yet been approved for use as a weight loss treatment. Insurance coverage for medications can vary widely depending on the specific insurance plan and the medical condition being treated. It is best to check with your insurance provider to determine whether tirzepatide will be covered under your specific plan once it becomes available.
How safe is it for weight loss?
Tirzepatide has been found to be a safe and potentially effective option for individuals living with obesity for weight loss. Clinical trials have shown that when taking tirzepatide, patients with overweight or obesity can lose up to 21% of their body weight compared to 3.1% for those taking a placebo. Additionally, the 15 mg dose of tirzepatide was found to help type 2 diabetes patients with obesity lose 12 pounds more than semaglutide and 27-29 pounds more than placebo. Furthermore, the safety and tolerability profile of tirzepatide was similar to other incretin-based therapies approved for the treatment of obesity. Finally, nearly all participants with obesity without diabetes assigned tirzepatide experienced at least 5% weight loss over 72 weeks. Overall, it appears that tirzepatide is a safe and effective option for weight loss.