Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injectable dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist from Eli Lilly, marketed as Mounjaro (type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (chronic weight management). It is FDA- and EMA-approved and TGA-registered, supported by the SURPASS (diabetes) and SURMOUNT (obesity) Phase 3 programs.

Is Tirzepatide approved for medical use?

Tirzepatide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction. United States (FDA): Approved. Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes (May 2022); Zepbound for chronic weight management (November 2023) and for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity (December 2024). European Union (EMA): Authorized (Mounjaro) for type 2 diabetes and weight management (marketing authorization granted September 2022). Australia (TGA): Registered on the ARTG (Mounjaro) for type 2 diabetes and for weight management, available on prescription.

Is Tirzepatide legal in Australia?

Tirzepatide in Australia (TGA): Registered on the ARTG (Mounjaro) for type 2 diabetes and for weight management, available on prescription.

Is Tirzepatide banned in sport?

Tirzepatide under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code: Not prohibited. Added to the WADA 2026 Monitoring Program, with markers tracked in- and out-of-competition to detect patterns of misuse; not a banned substance.

Dual agonist of the GIP and GLP-1 receptors (incretin-based metabolic peptide)

Tirzepatide

Approvedaka LY3298176, Mounjaro, Zepbound

Tirzepatide is an approved incretin therapy that combines GIP and GLP-1 receptor activity in a single molecule. Large randomized trials show substantial reductions in HbA1c and body weight, and a head-to-head trial (SURMOUNT-5) reported greater weight loss than semaglutide. It is a prescription medicine used under medical supervision.

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Mechanism

In plain terms, tirzepatide imitates two natural gut hormones that lower blood sugar and reduce appetite. Technically, it is a single peptide that agonizes both the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. This dual incretin action enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces food intake, producing improvements in glycemic control and body weight.

Regulatory Status by Region

United States (FDA)Approved. Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes (May 2022); Zepbound for chronic weight management (November 2023) and for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity (December 2024).
Australia (TGA)Registered on the ARTG (Mounjaro) for type 2 diabetes and for weight management, available on prescription.
European Union (EMA)Authorized (Mounjaro) for type 2 diabetes and weight management (marketing authorization granted September 2022).
WADANot prohibited. Added to the WADA 2026 Monitoring Program, with markers tracked in- and out-of-competition to detect patterns of misuse; not a banned substance.

See the full regulatory status matrix

Key Studies

Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-1; Jastreboff et al.) (opens in a new tab) (N Engl J Med 2022;387:205-216; DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa2206038; PMID 35658024; NCT04184622)
Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (SURPASS-2; Frias et al.) (opens in a new tab) (N Engl J Med 2021;385:503-515; DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa2107519; PMID 34170647)
FDA approves new medication (Zepbound/tirzepatide) for chronic weight management (opens in a new tab) (U.S. Food and Drug Administration press announcement, November 2023)

Related Clinical Trials

Latest research

Economic evaluation of tirzepatide, semaglutide, and liraglutide in the treatment of obese and overweight patients without diabetes: a short-term cost-effectiveness analysis in Iran. (opens in a new tab)
Journal of diabetes and metabolic disorders · Oct 17, 2026
12-month weight-loss trajectories and predictors of response to tirzepatide under individualized dosing: A multicenter real-world study. (opens in a new tab)
Obesity pillars · Oct 12, 2026
The pharmacotherapy for pediatric obesity: insights and challenges from adult weight-loss medications. (opens in a new tab)
Journal of diabetes and metabolic disorders · Oct 12, 2026

See all recent Tirzepatide research

Common Questions

What is Tirzepatide?: Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injectable dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist from Eli Lilly, marketed as Mounjaro (type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (chronic weight management). It is FDA- and EMA-approved and TGA-registered, supported by the SURPASS (diabetes) and SURMOUNT (obesity) Phase 3 programs.
Is Tirzepatide approved for medical use?: Tirzepatide is approved for one or more medical uses in at least one major jurisdiction. United States (FDA): Approved. Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes (May 2022); Zepbound for chronic weight management (November 2023) and for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity (December 2024). European Union (EMA): Authorized (Mounjaro) for type 2 diabetes and weight management (marketing authorization granted September 2022). Australia (TGA): Registered on the ARTG (Mounjaro) for type 2 diabetes and for weight management, available on prescription.
How does Tirzepatide work?: In plain terms, tirzepatide imitates two natural gut hormones that lower blood sugar and reduce appetite. Technically, it is a single peptide that agonizes both the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor.
Is Tirzepatide legal in Australia?: Tirzepatide in Australia (TGA): Registered on the ARTG (Mounjaro) for type 2 diabetes and for weight management, available on prescription.
Is Tirzepatide banned in sport?: Tirzepatide under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code: Not prohibited. Added to the WADA 2026 Monitoring Program, with markers tracked in- and out-of-competition to detect patterns of misuse; not a banned substance.