Scientific Reference

Tirzepatide

Evidence profile: Human Phase 3 evidence

Tirzepatide is a dual agonist at the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors. Engaging both incretin receptors is what distinguishes it from GLP-1-only compounds, and the published literature describes effects on insulin secretion, glucagon suppression and gastric emptying. Licensed medicines containing tirzepatide exist and are prescribed by clinicians; the material supplied here is a research compound and is not one of them.

Published Research

  • SURMOUNT-5

    Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity

    Aronne LJ et al. · The New England journal of medicine · 2025 · Clinical

    PMID 40353578 — View on PubMed
  • SURMOUNT-1

    Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity

    Jastreboff AM et al. · The New England journal of medicine · 2022 · Clinical

    PMID 35658024 — View on PubMed
  • SURPASS-2

    Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

    Frías JP et al. · The New England journal of medicine · 2021 · Clinical

    PMID 34170647 — View on PubMed
  • Tirzepatide is an imbalanced and biased dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist

    Willard FS et al. · JCI insight · 2020 · Preclinical

    PMID 32730231 — View on PubMed
  • Tirzepatide for maintenance of bodyweight reduction in people with obesity in the USA (SURMOUNT-MAINTAIN): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

    Horn DB et al. · Lancet (London, England) · 2026 · Clinical

    PMID 42119587 — View on PubMed
  • Efficacy and safety of tirzepatide in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-PEDS): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial

    Hannon TS et al. · Lancet (London, England) · 2025 · Clinical

    PMID 40975112 — View on PubMed