Half-Life of Tirzepatide
The elimination half-life of tirzepatide is approximately 5 days, which enables once-weekly subcutaneous dosing. 1
Pharmacokinetic Properties
Tirzepatide has a plasma concentration half-life of approximately 5 days across multiple studies in different populations, including Japanese and Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes 2, 3, 4
The ~5-day half-life allows for sustained drug exposure with once-weekly subcutaneous administration 4
Tirzepatide pharmacokinetics are well-described by a two-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination 4
Clinical Implications for Perioperative Management
Due to the 5-day half-life, tirzepatide should be discontinued one week before elective procedures to minimize the risk of delayed gastric emptying and potential pulmonary aspiration 1
The long half-life means that tirzepatide's effects on gastric emptying may persist for an extended period after the last dose, unlike shorter-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists 1
The volume of distribution is approximately 10.3 liters, with 80% of the drug bound to plasma proteins 1
Dosing Considerations
The 5-day half-life supports the approved once-weekly dosing regimen at doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg 2, 3
No dose adjustment is necessary based on demographics or subpopulations according to population pharmacokinetic modeling 4
Tirzepatide is primarily metabolized rather than renally excreted, and no dose change is necessary for renal impairment 1