How to Take ODT Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide oral disintegrating tablets (ODT) should be placed on the tongue and allowed to dissolve completely before swallowing, without chewing, crushing, or splitting the tablet. 1
Administration Guidelines
- Place the ODT on the tongue and allow it to fully dissolve before swallowing 1
- Take once weekly, on the same day each week, as prescribed by your healthcare provider 1
- Can be taken with or without food 1
- Do not chew, crush, or split the tablet as this may affect drug absorption 1
- If a dose is missed, administer as soon as possible within 4 days of the missed dose; if more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and administer the next dose on the regularly scheduled day 2
Dosing Considerations
- Initial dosing typically starts at a lower dose with gradual increases to minimize gastrointestinal side effects 1
- Standard dosing range includes 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg weekly 1
- Dose escalation is typically done in 2.5 mg increments every 4 weeks until the target dose is reached 3
- Higher doses (10 mg and 15 mg) provide greater weight loss and glycemic benefits than lower doses 2
Special Populations
- No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with mild to moderate renal impairment 1
- For patients with severe renal impairment, use caution when initiating or increasing the dose due to potential risk of acute kidney injury 2
- During religious fasting periods (e.g., Ramadan), tirzepatide can be continued at the established dose 1
Important Precautions
- Monitor for gastrointestinal side effects, which are the most common adverse events (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation) 4
- For patients using oral hormonal contraception, advise using or adding a non-oral contraception method for 4 weeks after dose escalations due to potential delayed absorption 1
- Be aware that tirzepatide may delay gastric emptying, which could affect the absorption of oral medications with narrow therapeutic indices (e.g., warfarin) 2
- If taking along with insulin secretagogues or insulin, patients may experience hypoglycemia; consider carrying a source of quick-acting carbohydrates 5
Monitoring Recommendations
- Assess effectiveness and safety at least monthly for the first 3 months and at least quarterly thereafter 1
- Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia, especially if combined with insulin or insulin secretagogues 5
- For patients with diabetes, continue regular blood glucose monitoring as directed by healthcare provider 5
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Avoid taking the medication inconsistently, as this may reduce effectiveness 1
- Do not drink alcohol immediately after taking the ODT as it may interfere with proper dissolution 5
- Do not stop the medication abruptly without consulting your healthcare provider 1
- Avoid dehydration, which may increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects 4