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No. 022 · Metabolic · Weight Loss Peptide

Tirzepatide

LY3298176MounjaroZepbound

S Tier S · Approved how tiers work →
  • FDA approved 2022
  • WADA — not listed
Compare Cite
Fingerprint 39 residues
Tirzepatide sequence fingerprint
  • Nonpolar 21
  • Polar 11
  • Positive charge 2
  • Negative charge 3
  • Modified / non-standard 2

Each dot is a residue placed around the ring from N- to C-terminus; its distance from the centre reflects its chemistry.

01

Evidence

  1. D In vitro
  2. C Animal
  3. B Human pilot
  4. A RCT
  5. S Approved

TIER S — Approved by the FDA or EMA for at least one indication.

Phase 3 RCT programmes (SURPASS, SURMOUNT); FDA-approved in 2022 for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and in 2023 for weight management (Zepbound).

Tiers rate the strength of published evidence — not effectiveness, safety, or a recommendation.

02

At a glance

Residues
39 amino acids, N→C
Molecular weight
4,813.5 Da
Formula
C225H348N48O68
Discovered
2018 Discovery and first clinical data published by Eli Lilly as LY3298176 (Coskun et al., Mol Metab 2018).
Routes studied
Subcutaneous Routes used in published research
FDA
Approved (2022) Mounjaro, Zepbound Approved for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro, 2022) and chronic weight management (Zepbound, 2023).
WADA
Not on the Prohibited List
03

Sequence

N → C · 39 residues · hover, tap, or use arrow keys to inspect

Note K20 carries a C-20 fatty diacid attached via a γ-Glu–2×AEEA linker.

04

Overview

A dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and obesity (Zepbound). It delivers substantial weight loss and glycemic improvements in large-scale trials.

Research status FDA-approved as Mounjaro (T2D) and Zepbound (obesity); extensive Phase III trial data

05

Mechanism

Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist built on a 39-amino-acid peptide backbone with a C20 fatty diacid moiety enabling albumin binding and once-weekly dosing. It enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and acts on hypothalamic appetite centers to reduce food intake.

06

Effects reported in research

Reported outcomes, not promises. Some come from controlled human trials; others may be from smaller or preclinical studies — check the studies below.

  • Substantial sustained weight loss
  • Improved insulin sensitivity
  • Reduced HbA1c levels
  • Decreased cardiovascular risk markers
07

Safety & unknowns

FDA-approved with extensive Phase III safety data (SURPASS and SURMOUNT programs). Most common side effects are GI-related: nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation. Boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors (preclinical rodent signal). Contraindicated in personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2.

Unknowns. Trial safety data apply to the populations, formulations and conditions studied.

Informational only — not medical advice. peptidemeta publishes no dosing, protocols, or sourcing. Talk to a qualified clinician about any treatment decision.

08

Studies [3]

  1. Clinical trial 2022

    Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity

    Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. New England Journal of Medicine

    In the 72-week phase 3 SURMOUNT-1 RCT in 2539 adults with obesity, mean weight change was -15.0%, -19.5%, and -20.9% with 5, 10, and 15 mg versus -3.1% with placebo.

    [pubmed] [doi]

  2. Clinical trial 2021

    Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

    Frías JP, Davies MJ, Rosenstock J, et al. New England Journal of Medicine

    In the 40-week SURPASS-2 RCT, all three tirzepatide doses lowered HbA1c more than semaglutide 1 mg (differences -0.15 to -0.45 percentage points).

    [pubmed] [doi]

  3. Clinical trial 2021

    Efficacy and safety of a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-1): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial

    Rosenstock J, Wysham C, Frías JP, et al. The Lancet

    In the 40-week SURPASS-1 RCT in 478 adults with type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide monotherapy at all doses was superior to placebo for change in HbA1c.

    [pubmed] [doi]

10

Status sources

Sources behind the tier, regulatory status, sequence and dates on this page.

11

Cite this entry

$ cite --format=apa

peptidemeta. (2026). Tirzepatide. In peptidemeta: The peptide library, ranked by evidence. Retrieved November 8, 2026, from https://peptidemeta.com/p/tirzepatide/

$ cite --format=bibtex 
@misc{peptidemeta-tirzepatide,
  title = {Tirzepatide},
  author = {{peptidemeta}},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://peptidemeta.com/p/tirzepatide/}},
  note = {Accessed 2026-11-08}
}

Accessed date reflects when you opened this page. Cite primary studies for scientific claims.

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