Possible Side Effects of Tirzepatide and How to Manage Them

Possible Side Effects of Tirzepatide and How to Manage Them

Serious Side Effects (Uncommon to Rare):

Acute pancreatitis (incidence ≤1/100), presenting as persistent severe abdominal and back pain that does not resolve, requires immediate medical attention. Rare (≤1/1000) severe allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock, angioedema, with symptoms including difficulty breathing, rapid swelling of lips/tongue/throat, difficulty swallowing, and rapid heartbeat, require emergency medical help. Very common side effects (>1/10): nausea, diarrhea; common in weight management patients and in children/adolescents with type 2 diabetes: abdominal pain, vomiting; also common in weight management patients: constipation. These side effects are usually more pronounced at the start of treatment and tend to lessen over time. Hypoglycemia (headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, hunger, confusion, irritability, palpitations, sweating) is very common when tirzepatide is used in combination with sulfonylureas and/or insulin, and a dose reduction of the combination drug may be necessary.

Common Side Effects (≤1/10):

Includes hypoglycemia (when combined with metformin and SGLT-2 inhibitors), allergic reactions (rash, itching, eczema), dizziness, hypotension, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, abdominal distension, belching, flatulence, gastroesophageal reflux or heartburn, hair loss, fatigue, injection site reactions (itching or redness), increased heart rate, elevated pancreatic enzymes (lipase and amylase), elevated calcitonin (in weight management patients). Uncommon side effects (≤1/100): gallstones, cholecystitis, weight loss (in type 2 diabetes patients), injection site pain, elevated calcitonin (in type 2 diabetes or OSA with severe obesity patients), altered taste, paresthesia, delayed gastric emptying.

How to Store Tirzepatide Properly?

Unused pens: Store in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Do not freeze. If a pen has been frozen, do not use it. Under refrigeration, unused pens can be used until the expiration date (EXP) printed on the packaging.

Pens in use: After the first injection, the pen can be stored at room temperature not exceeding 30°C for a maximum of 30 days, after which it must be discarded. Do not continue using even if there is still solution left in the pen. Remove the needle after each injection (to prevent leakage, blockage, and air entry) and replace the pen cap. Never store the pen with the needle attached.

Inspecting the medicine: Do not use if the pen is damaged, the solution is cloudy, discolored, or contains particles.

Child safety: Keep the medicine and needles out of the reach of children.

Disposal: Used needles should be placed in a dedicated sharps container or a rigid, lidded plastic container. Do not mix with household waste. Dispose of the pen according to your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. Do not reuse sharps containers.

Detailed Information for Use in Children and Adolescents

This medicine can be used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents aged 10 years and older, but only in those who already have overweight or obesity at the start of treatment. This restriction is based on the enrollment criteria of available clinical studies, which only evaluated the efficacy and safety of the medicine in this specific population. For children under 10 years of age with type 2 diabetes, and for any adolescents and children under 18 years of age for weight management alone (with or without diabetes), tirzepatide is currently not recommended, as adequate clinical trials have not been conducted in these age groups. When used in eligible children over 10 years old, the starting dose and treatment regimen are generally consistent with those in adults: 2.5 mg once weekly for the first four weeks, then increased to 5 mg once weekly; the doctor may further increase to 7.5 mg and 10 mg as needed (each dose increase requires maintaining the current dose for at least four weeks). If a child is under 18 years old but considered capable of self-injection, it must be assessed by a doctor whether this is appropriate, or the injection should be given under the supervision of a caregiver. Parents or caregivers should ensure the child understands and follows key points such as injecting at the same time each week, rotating injection sites, and promptly reporting any discomfort.