Compounded Tirzepatide: Patient Information and FAQs

Compounded Oral Tirzepatide Lozenges or Compounded Injectable Tirzepatide

(Generic Zepbound, Mounjaro)

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.

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FAQs:

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What is Tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in the brand medications Zepbound® and Mounjaro®. Tirzepatide can be used to help treat type 2 diabetes, as well as helping people with weight management. Here at Strut Health, we only prescribe these medications for weight management, if appropriate. We offer oral Tirzepatide lozenges that dissolve in the mouth. These may be a good fit for people who can't use the injection form of Tirzepatide.

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How does Tirzepatide work?

Tirzepatide is a medication that works by mimicking the GLP-1 and GIP hormones in your body. By mimicking GLP-1 and GIP, it can help deliver certain effects including increased insulin release, less glucagon release, slowing how fast food can leave your stomach, and making you feel less hungry. For people who are trying to lose weight, these effects may combine to help them eat fewer calories and ultimately lose extra weight.

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How should I take Tirzepatide?

Compounded oral lozenge Tirzepatide:

When using a Tirzepatide lozenge, you will likely be instructed to use one every day, once a day, at approximately the same time. This is a sublingual lozenge, so you will not swallow the lozenge, but let it slowly dissolve under your tongue to help with the absorption of the medication. It is also important to know that you will want to combine your Tirzepatide treatment with increased physical activity and a healthy reduced calorie diet for the best results.

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How long does Tirzepatide take to work?

Once Tirzepatide is in your system, you may start feeling the effects of being less hungry, or feeling like your food is staying in your stomach for longer. However, these effects may take a little longer for some people to feel. If you are using Tirzepatide for weight loss, be patient, since even if the medication is helping you consume fewer calories, it may take many weeks or months to physically see changes.

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How often should I use Tirzepatide?

For oral Tirzepatide lozenges, you will be using the lozenges once daily by letting them dissolve slowly in your mouth. Set an alarm on your phone to try to take your medication at approximately the same time each day.

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What should I tell my doctor before starting Tirzepatide?

Before starting Tirzepatide, you should let your doctor know about any weight-related diseases or problems you are currently experiencing (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes). You should also let your doctor know about any gastrointestinal issues or diseases you are dealing with, since Tirzepatide may also come along with gastrointestinal side effects. Let your doctor know about a history of thyroid cancer, glandular tumors, diabetic ketoacidosis, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney disease, mood disorders, or diabetic eye problems.

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What should I avoid while taking Tirzepatide?

While you are taking Tirzepatide, you may want to avoid other medications in the same class of drugs (GLP-1 agonists). Your doctor may also ask about other medications that you are using that can decrease your blood glucose levels, like diabetes medications. You may want to avoid high-fat foods, foods with lots of added sugar, trans and saturated fats, processed carbohydrates, and foods with high sodium. Not only may these foods hinder your weight loss and health goals, but they may bring more digestive discomfort while you are using Tirzepatide.

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What are the common side effects of Tirzepatide?

The most common side effects of Tirzepatide involve your digestion and gastrointestinal tract. Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, fatigue, hypersensitivity reactions, burping, hair loss, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may occur. Other common side effects may include headache, dizziness, tiredness, and low blood sugar levels in people who have diabetes. For a full list of the possible side effects of Tirzepatide, including the less common but more serious side effects, look at the patient safety information on our website and the Tirzepatide package information.

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What are the active ingredients inside of compounded Tirzepatide?

Active Ingredients: Tirzepatide, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

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Important Safety Information for Tirzepatide

Warnings:

• Watch for signs of a thyroid tumor and call your doctor at once if you notice the following signs: lump or swelling in your neck, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or hoarse voice. Tirzepatide has caused thyroid tumors in rats, and it is unknown if it can cause tumors in humans.
• If you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in glands), or a history or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, you should not use Tirzepatide.

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Before taking this medication:

You should not use Tirzepatide if you are allergic to it, or:

• You have a family or personal history of medullary thyroid cancer
• You have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in glands)
• You are using other GLP-1 receptor agonist medications
• Diabetic ketoacidosis

Let your doctor know if you have ever had:

• A hypersensitivity reaction to Tirzepatide or other GLP-1 RA medications
• Pancreatitis
• Stomach or intestinal disorders
• Kidney disease
• Gallbladder disease
• Hypoglycemia
• Diabetic eye problems (retinopathy)
• Suicidal ideation or severe mood disorders

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In animal studies, Tirzepatide was shown to cause thyroid cancers or thyroid tumors. It is not clear whether these effects can occur in people as well. Talk to your doctor about your risk for these diseases.

Both men and women should stop using Tirzepatide at least 2 months before they plan on becoming pregnant or making someone pregnant. Your doctor may have safer options for you to use during this time period, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

It is unknown if it is safe to use injectable Tirzepatide while you are pregnant or breastfeeding, so it should be avoided.

Tirzepatide should not be used in anyone under 18 years of age.

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Drug Interactions:

• Since Tirzepatide can slow your digestion, it may change how long it takes for your body to absorb other medications that you take by mouth. This may cause them to work differently for you. This includes oral birth control medications. Tell your doctor about all other medications you are currently using so they can identify and potential interactions.
• If you are using oral birth control measures, your doctor may recommend you switch to non-oral methods of contraception or add on a barrier method to reduce your risk of pregnancy. This is normally advised for the first 4 weeks after initiation, and 4 weeks after each dose increase.
• Your doctor will need to know about any other medications meant for diabetes that you take including: Insulin, Byetta, Dulaglutide, Exenatide, Liraglutide, Trulicity, Victoza, and more. Taking these medications together with Tirzepatide may increase your risk of hypoglycemia.
• It may be possible that other drugs, over-the-counter medications, or supplements interact with Tirzepatide. Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications and supplements that you use before starting on this treatment.

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Side Effects:

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Tirzepatide:

• Hives, itching, dizziness, fast heartbeat, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

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More serious side effects of Tirzepatide include:

(Call your doctor at once if these occur)

• Mood changes
• Thoughts of harming yourself
• Changes in your vision
• Fluttering in your chest or a pounding heartbeat
• Feeling lightheaded or like you might pass out
• Thyroid tumor signs: Lump or swelling in your neck, shortness of breath, a hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing
• Signs of gallbladder problems: Clay-colored stool, fever, upper stomach pain, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin)
• Signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): Weakness, sweating, confusion, headache, hunger, irritability, fast heart rate, dizziness, jittery feeling.
• Signs of kidney injury: Swelling, tiredness, shortness of breath, urinating less.
• Symptoms of severe gastrointestinal disease: Vomiting, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, diarrhea that may be watery or bloody.
• Signs of pancreatitis: Pain in the upper belly that may radiate to the back, abdominal tenderness, rapid pulse, fever, vomiting, upset stomach, stomach pain that worsens after eating, oily and smelly stool.

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Common Tirzepatide side effects may include:

• People with diabetes experiencing low blood sugar levels
• Bloating, burping, heartburn, gas, upset stomach, GERD, indigestion
• Stomach pain, nausea and vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Low blood pressure
• Dizziness, tiredness, fatigue
• Hypersensitivity reactions

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This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Additional Resources

The following links provide further information on the potential risks and benefits of this medication:

Tirzepatide Stat Pearls

FDA Tirzepatide Prescribing Information (Injection)