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Specimen Atlas of Research Peptides30 plates · MIT
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XXXPlate XXXFDA approved · 2022Reviewed 2026-04-25

Tirzepatide

GIP / GLP-1 Dual Receptor Agonist

also known as Mounjaro, Zepbound, LY3298176

First-in-class dual agonist of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors. FDA-approved 2022 for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and 2023 for chronic weight management (Zepbound). The SURMOUNT-1 trial showed 20.9% body-weight reduction at 15 mg/week — the largest weight-loss outcome of any approved pharmacotherapy.

§ I

At a glance

Weekly dose
2.5–15 mg
[fda-zepbound-label-2023]
Body-weight ↓
20.9%
[jastreboff-2022]
Half-life
~5 days
[fda-zepbound-label-2023]
Route

SQ · Abdomen / thigh / arm · Once weekly

§ II

Mechanism

Primary target — GIP receptor (GIPR) + GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) [frias-2018].

Pathway — Dual GIPR/GLP-1R agonism → ↑insulin (glucose-dependent), ↓glucagon, ↓gastric emptying, ↓appetite, ↑energy expenditure (via GIP component) [jastreboff-2022][frias-2018].

Downstream effect — Profound glycemic improvement and weight reduction; cardiometabolic benefits [jastreboff-2022].

Origin — 39-AA peptide with C-20 fatty-acid acylation. Single molecule with balanced GIP + GLP-1 affinity [frias-2018].

Feedback intact — Glucose-dependent insulin release preserves physiological feedback.

§ III

Dosage

Protocols described in the cited literature; not medical advice.

ParameterValue
Standard dose (T2D)5–15 mg / week [fda-zepbound-label-2023]
Standard dose (weight)5, 10, or 15 mg / week (titrated) [fda-zepbound-label-2023][jastreboff-2022]
Titration schedule2.5 mg → +2.5 mg every 4 weeks → 15 mg maxSlower titration mitigates GI side effects.
Evidence basisFDA-approved · Phase 3 RCTs (SURMOUNT, SURPASS) [jastreboff-2022][fda-zepbound-label-2023]
DurationIndefinite for chronic indication
ReconstitutionPre-filled commercial pen. Research vial: bacteriostatic water per label.
TimingOnce weekly, any time of day
Half-life~5 days (116 h) [fda-zepbound-label-2023]
§ III · b

Reconstitution

A pure mass-to-volume utility. Enter what you have in the vial; the atlas computes the volume per dose. No prescription information.

Inputs
The calculator does pure mass-to-volume math. It does not recommend a dose. Refer to Tirzepatide's cited literature for protocol specifics.
Volumetric outputFig. C — reconstitution math
Volume per dose
0.033mL
≈ 3.3 units on a U-100 insulin syringe
Concentration
7500
mcg per mL
Doses per vial
60
at this dose
§ V

Adverse events

Severities follow the FDA / CTCAE convention.

GI symptomsmoderate
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (common, dose-dependent) [jastreboff-2022]
Injection site reactionmild
Mild erythema, pruritus
Pancreatitis risksevere
Rare; discontinue if suspected [fda-zepbound-label-2023]
Thyroid C-cell tumourssevere
Boxed warning — contraindicated in MEN2 / MTC history [fda-zepbound-label-2023]
Hypoglycemiamoderate
Low as monotherapy; risk with sulfonylureas / insulin
Gallbladder eventsmoderate
Increased cholelithiasis
Pregnancy / OBsevere
Contraindicated
Diabetic retinopathymoderate
Rapid glycemic improvement may transiently worsen
Absolute contraindications
  • — MTC personal or family history; MEN2
  • — Pregnancy / breastfeeding
  • — Hypersensitivity to tirzepatide
Relative contraindications
  • — Severe gastroparesis
  • — History of pancreatitis
  • — Diabetic retinopathy
§ VI

Administration

  1. 01
    Reconstitution / device

    Commercial: pre-filled pen / vial. Research lyophilised: bacteriostatic water per label.

  2. 02
    Injection site

    SQ — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate weekly.

  3. 03
    Timing

    Once weekly, same day. Day change allowed if ≥3 days separate doses.

  4. 04
    Storage

    Refrigerate 2–8 °C unopened. Room temp ≤30 °C up to 21 days after first use.

  5. 05
    Needle

    Pen-supplied. Research vial: 27–31G insulin syringe.

Appendix

Sources

31%

of 45 rendered claims carry a resolvable citation.

  1. [fda-zepbound-label-2023]
    ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide) injecti 2023 — ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide) injection prescribing information
    fda-label, 2023
    Source →
  2. [frias-2018]
    Frias 2018 — Efficacy and safety of LY3298176, a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, in patients with type 2 diabetes
    Lancet, 2018
    PubMed →
  3. [jastreboff-2022]
    Jastreboff 2022 — Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity
    N Engl J Med, 2022
    PubMed →
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