Weight · Diabetes

Tirzepatide

Peptilex evidence grade ABCDEUpdated 19 Oct 2026 How grades work

Type: Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist
Main use or focus: Type 2 diabetes; chronic weight management; obstructive sleep apnea with obesity and cardiovascular risk reduction in type 2 diabetes (US)
Also known as: Mounjaro, Zepbound

Key results

Tirzepatide: average weight loss% of body weight lost on average

TirzepatidePlaceboSwitched to placeboSemaglutide

SURMOUNT-1¹72 wk · 2,539 participants

20.9%

3.1%

SURMOUNT-572 wk · 751 participants

20.2%

13.7% · Semaglutide

SURMOUNT-MAINTAIN112 wk · 441 participants

21.9%

9.9% · Switched to placebo

¹ Highest-level treatment group. Different trials, durations and populations – not a head-to-head comparison.

Sources: SURMOUNT-1 · NEJM 2022 · SURMOUNT-5 · NEJM 2025 · SURMOUNT-MAINTAIN · Lancet 2026

Trial	Tirzepatide	Comparison
SURMOUNT-1	20.9%	3.1%
SURMOUNT-5	20.2%	13.7% · Semaglutide
SURMOUNT-MAINTAIN	21.9%	9.9% · Switched to placebo

Where it stands

Approved (Mounjaro, Zepbound). In SURMOUNT-5 it beat semaglutide head-to-head (20.2% vs 13.7% weight loss over 72 weeks); new trials cover heart outcomes in obesity, sleep apnea, type 1 diabetes and more.

How it works

How the new weight-loss medicines workWhich hormone receptors each one activates

	GLP-1	GIP	Glucagon	Amylin
Liraglutide1×
Semaglutide1×
Tirzepatide2×
Retatrutide3×
CagriSema2×

Source: Peptilex 1, profile overview (type of each peptide)

Go deeper

Full profile in the book

What it is, how it acts, the key studies, risks and open questions.

Peptilex – The Peptide Encyclopedia

34 peptides – from semaglutide to BPC-157 – in one book
An evidence grade (A–E) and the key studies for every peptide
Where each one stands in 2026 – US, EU and Switzerland

View on Amazon

Formats: Kindle · Paperback · Hardcover

Amazon store: amazon.com · Change store

Coming soonPeptilex – The Honest GLP-1 HandbookSemaglutide, tirzepatide and the new pills, explained for adults over 50.

Research at a glance

Publications by typePubMed, all years

All papers2,637

Human studies1,434

Animal studies only75

Randomized trials134

Meta-analyses & systematic reviews219

Source: PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov via the Peptilex study database

Registered trials by phaseClinicalTrials.gov · name in study title

ongoing / startingcompleted / other

Phase 129

Phase 249

Phase 345

Phase 434

Other32

Source: PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov via the Peptilex study database

Trial starts per yearClinicalTrials.gov · by start date (planned starts included)

42017

132019

62021

132023

442025

52027

Source: PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov via the Peptilex study database

Registered trials

ClinicalTrials.gov · name in study title · ongoing first

Study	Phase	Status	Participants	Start
A Study of Tirzepatide (LY3298176) Compared With Standard of Care in Adult Participants With Obesity and Without Diabetes (SURMOUNT-REAL UK) NCT07247084Eli Lilly and Company	Phase 4	Recruiting	3,000	Nov 2025
A Study of Tirzepatide Compared With Intensified Conventional Care in Adult Participants With Type 2 Diabetes NCT05433584Eli Lilly and Company	Phase 4	Running	780	Aug 2022
Subcutaneous Tirzepatide Once-weekly in Patients With Obesity and Knee Osteoarthritis (STOP KNEE-OA) NCT06191848University of Melbourne	Phase 4	Running	352	Nov 2024
A Study of Tirzepatide (LY3298176) in Adult Participants in India With Either Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or Obesity NCT07438444Eli Lilly and Company	Phase 4	Running	344	Feb 2026
A Study to Investigate the Effectiveness of Tirzepatide (LY3298176) Following Initiation of Ixekizumab (LY2439821) in Participants With Moderate-to-Severe Plaque PsO and Obesity or Overweight in Clinical Practice (TOGETHER AMPLIFY-PsO) NCT06857942Eli Lilly and Company	Phase 4	Recruiting	200	Mar 2025
A Study to Investigate Effectiveness of Tirzepatide Following Initiation of Ixekizumab in Participants With Active Psoriatic Arthritis and Overweight or Obesity in Clinical Practice (TOGETHER AMPLIFY-PsA) NCT06864026Eli Lilly and Company	Phase 4	Running	200	Mar 2025
A Clincial Study Testing Tirzepatide on Reproductive Function and Metabolic Health in Women With PCOS Who Are Overweight or Obese NCT07326111University of Bonn	Phase 4	Recruiting	198	Dec 2025
Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Tirzepatide in Real-World Conditions in Paraguay. NCT07588438Las Rías Medical Center	Phase 4	Recruiting	160	Jul 2026
Resistance Training to Prevent Muscle Loss During Treatment With Tirzepatide NCT07777575Technical University of Munich	Phase 4	Recruiting	150	Sep 2026
Effects of Tirzepatide and Insulin Glargine on Glucolipid Metabolism and Brain Function in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes NCT05553093Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University	Phase 4	Recruiting	150	Mar 2022

Show 15 moreShow fewer

Study	Phase	Status	Participants	Start
Bariatric Surgery vs. Semaglutide vs. Tirzepatide NCT06803888Ali Aminian	Phase 4	Running	140	Jan 2025
The Effects of Tirzepatide in People With Overweight/Obesity and Coronary Artery Disease NCT06606821Tina Vilsbøll	Phase 4	Recruiting	124	Oct 2024
Effect of Tirzepatide on Progression of Coronary Atherosclerosis Using MDCT NCT05708859Matthew J. Budoff	Phase 4	Recruiting	120	Jan 2024
Normal-weight Diabetes: Adipocyte-directed Therapy With Pioglitazone or Tirzepatide NCT06657209Stanford University	Phase 4	Recruiting	104	Jan 2025
Tirzepatide in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Trial NCT07191873Duke University	Phase 4	Recruiting	60	Aug 2026
Tirzepatide Use in People With Obesity and Type 1 Diabetes NCT07096908Dasman Diabetes Institute	Phase 4	Recruiting	60	Jul 2025
Tirzepatide's Effects on Epigenetic Aging and Metabolic Restoration in Virally Suppressed People With HIV NCT07707778National Taiwan University Clinical Trial Center	Phase 4	Enrolling	60	Jun 2026
2024 Tirzepatide-Bariatric Surgery NCT06721507Marlene Starr	Phase 4	Recruiting	50	Mar 2025
The Effect of Tirzepatide on Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms and Biological Aging in Post-menopausal Women With Obesity NCT07218445Mayo Clinic	Phase 4	Recruiting	40	Apr 2026
Tirzepatide in PWS, HO and GNSO NCT06901245Grace Kim	Phase 4	Recruiting	36	May 2025
Tirzepatide's Role in Postmenopausal HR+ Breast Cancer Survivors NCT07257484Weill Medical College of Cornell University	Phase 4	Recruiting	30	Jun 2026
Tirzepatide (Spartina) in Obese Kidney Transplant Recipients NCT07423247Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences	Phase 4	Recruiting	30	Jan 2026
A Study of Tirzepatide (LY3298176) on the Reduction on Morbidity and Mortality in Adults With Obesity NCT05556512Eli Lilly and Company	Phase 3	Running	15,374	Oct 2022
A Study of Tirzepatide (LY3298176) Compared With Placebo in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes and Obesity or Overweight NCT06914895Eli Lilly and Company	Phase 3	Running	905	Apr 2025
A Study of Retatrutide (LY3437943) Compared to Tirzepatide (LY3298176) in Adults Who Have Obesity NCT06662383Eli Lilly and Company	Phase 3	Running	800	Nov 2024

1 further registry entry from a sponsor we could not verify is not listed.

Showing 25 of 189 matching registered studies. See all on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Latest key papers

PubMed · newest first

2026
Effects of tirzepatide (GIP/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist) on cardiorenal biomarkers and functional capacity in heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Meta-analysisEisa N et al. · J Clin Endocrinol MetabPMID 42867450
2026
Tirzepatide versus other anti-diabetic agents for the prevention of diabetic foot complications in patients with type 2 diabetes
Human studyKuo CY et al. · Frontiers in PharmacologyPMID 42851503
2026
Tirzepatide Versus Intensified Conventional Care After 2 Years of Treatment in Early Type 2 Diabetes : A Randomized Clinical Trial
Human RCTDel Prato S et al. · Annals of Internal MedicinePMID 42184419
2026
Tirzepatide for maintenance of bodyweight reduction in people with obesity in the USA (SURMOUNT-MAINTAIN): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
Human RCTPhase 3Horn DB et al. · The LancetPMID 42119587
2026
Cardiometabolic Parameter Change by Weight Regain on Tirzepatide Withdrawal in Adults With Obesity: A Post Hoc Analysis of the SURMOUNT-4 Trial
Human RCTHorn DB et al. · JAMA Internal MedicinePMID 41284285
2026
Anti-inflammatory effects of tirzepatide: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Meta-analysisMasson W et al. · Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic DisordersPMID 41032183
2025
Tirzepatide for adults living with obesity
Meta-analysisFranco JV et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic ReviewsPMID 41161687
2025
Cardiovascular Effects and Tolerability of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 99,599 Patients
Meta-analysisGalli M et al. · Journal of the American College of CardiologyPMID 40892610

In the research news

Related peptides

ASemaglutide BRetatrutide BCagriSema (cagrilintide)ALiraglutide APramlintide ASetmelanotide CAOD-9604