Tirzepatide, A New Antidiabetic Drug with Change in the Treatment of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for type 2 diabetes treatment in August 2022. Tirzepatide, a synthetic peptide consisting of 39 amino acids, is a dual GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1)/GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptor agonist. Tirzepatide showed marked reductions in glycated hemoglobin and body weight in the SURPASS study among participants with type 2 diabetes that surpassed existing diabetes drugs. Other benefits included blood pressure reduction and lipid lowering effects. On meta-analysis and post-hoc analysis, tirzepatide did not increase the risk of major cardiovascular events and is expected to have cardiovascular benefits in future studies. In addition, it showed a protective effect on the kidney by slowing the rate of renal function decline and reducing new-onset macroalbuminuria. However, the fact that it is an injectable drug, the cost of the drug, and the high rate of gastrointestinal side effects are disadvantages to tirzepatide. Considering the superior degree of glucose reduction and weight reduction observed in tirzepatide clinical trials compared to clinical trials of other anti-diabetic drugs, we expect tirzepatide to bring about a paradigm shift in the treatment of obese type 2 diabetes patients.