Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) is an FDA-approved dual agonist that co-activates GIP and GLP-1 receptors at once. The guide describes it as the gold standard for weight loss. In the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head it produced 20.2% weight loss at 72 weeks against semaglutide's 13.7%.
- SURMOUNT-5, a 72-week head-to-head: 20.2% weight loss for tirzepatide vs 13.7% for semaglutide, roughly 47% greater relative loss.SURMOUNT-5 (72-wk head-to-head)
- About 20% average weight loss at 72 weeks.Peptide Guide p. 106
- Co-activates GIPR (appetite, insulin, fat-cell effects) and GLP-1R (satiety, gastric slowing, glucagon suppression).DailyMed label
- FDA-indicated for type-2 diabetes (Mounjaro), chronic weight management (Zepbound), and obstructive sleep apnea in obesity (Zepbound, Dec 2024).FDA indications
- Generally better GI tolerance than semaglutide, with appetite reduction reported from the first week.Peptide Guide p. 106