Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is a once-weekly drug. It switches on two gut-hormone receptors at once: GIP and GLP-1. It is approved for type 2 diabetes (sold as Mounjaro). It is also approved for chronic weight management (sold as Zepbound). Hitting both receptors beats GLP-1-only drugs in head-to-head trials. It gives more weight loss and bigger drops in HbA1c (your average blood sugar). In December 2024, the FDA cleared Zepbound for a new use: moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. The heart data came in late 2025. In the SURPASS-CVOT trial, tirzepatide was non-inferior to dulaglutide. Over about 4 years, 3-point MACE was 12.2% versus 13.1% (HR 0.92; upper CI under 1.0). Its longevity-relevant effects mirror GLP-1 drugs: better metabolism, weight loss, and lower heart-and-metabolic risk. But taking it off-label, in healthy adults, just to extend lifespan, stays investigational.

Last reviewed: June 22, 2026

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