Side Effects
Tirzepatide's side effect profile is well-characterized from large clinical trials involving thousands of participants.
Common (>10% incidence):
- Nausea (up to 30% at higher doses, typically most pronounced during dose escalation)
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Dyspepsia
- Abdominal pain
Less Common (1–10%):
- Injection site reactions (redness, swelling, bruising)
- Fatigue
- Hypoglycemia (primarily with concurrent insulin or sulfonylureas)
- Hair loss (alopecia, typically temporary and related to caloric restriction rather than direct drug effect)
- Gastroesophageal reflux
Rare but Serious:
- Pancreatitis (discontinue if suspected)
- Gallbladder disease including cholelithiasis and cholecystitis
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Thyroid C-cell tumors (boxed warning; tirzepatide is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2)