"Managing Obesity with Mounjaro: A Brief Literature Review"

Abstract

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is both a glucagon like peptide (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist that was developed for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Mounjaro was approved in May 2022 by the United State Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) as the first and the only GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist to treat T2D. Obesity and diabetes are becoming an increasing global problem, particularly in Western populations, referenced as the twin epidemics. Mounjaro, labeled a twincretin, is unique as the only GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, responsible for significant reduction in glycemic levels and improvement of insulin sensitivity, as well as reduction of total body weight by more than 20%. After its development by Eli Lilly in 2022, the start of a new era began of dual therapeutic options for the management of both T2DM and obesity. The objective of this article is to briefly review the literature concerning the weight loss implications of a new medication, Mounjaro, to educate primary care clinicians concerning the potential for weight management in patients without T2DM, who are overweight and/or obese.