From the Guidelines
If a patient takes 25 units of tirzepatide per injection, they are receiving 12.5 mg of tirzepatide. Tirzepatide is dosed in a way where each unit on the injection pen corresponds to 0.5 mg of the medication, as seen in studies such as 1. Therefore, 25 units equals 12.5 mg (25 × 0.5 mg = 12.5 mg). This is based on the understanding of tirzepatide's dosing from recent reviews, such as the one published in JAMA in 2023 1, which discusses tirzepatide's role in obesity management. Key points about tirzepatide include:
- It is a synthetic peptide with dual-hormone agonistic activity at the GLP-1 receptor and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor.
- It is dosed subcutaneously once weekly.
- Recent studies, including an RCT of 2539 adults with obesity, have shown significant weight loss with tirzepatide compared to placebo 1.
- The medication is typically started at lower doses and increased gradually to minimize side effects, with the 12.5 mg dose being a common target for many patients.
- Administration is once weekly as a subcutaneous injection, on the same day each week.
From the Research
Tirzepatide Dosage Information
- The provided studies do not directly mention the milligram (mg) equivalent of 25 units of tirzepatide (Mounjaro) per injection 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, the studies mention that tirzepatide is administered in doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg per week 3, 4, 5.
- It is essential to consult the prescribing information or the manufacturer's guidelines for the specific dosage and administration instructions for tirzepatide.
- The studies focus on the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide in improving glycemic control and weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes, rather than providing detailed dosage information 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Key Findings
- Tirzepatide has been shown to be effective in improving glycemic control and weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The most common adverse events associated with tirzepatide are gastrointestinal, including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting 3, 4, 5.
- Tirzepatide has been compared to other glucose-lowering medications, such as semaglutide, and has been found to be superior in terms of glycemic control and weight loss 3, 6.