Zepbound · Mounjaro · GIP + GLP-1 · Newnan, GA
Tirzepatide for weight loss.
A once-weekly dual-hormone injection (among the most effective weight-loss medications available) prescribed and monitored by Dr. Roger Eduardo, MD, FASMBS. FDA-approved, branded medicine only.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Roger Eduardo, MD, FASMBS, Board-Certified General Surgeon. Last reviewed August 2026.
Book a consultation →What is tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injectable that activates two gut-hormone receptors at once. GIP and GLP-1. It's sold as Zepbound (approved for weight management) and Mounjaro (approved for type 2 diabetes, used off-label for weight loss). That dual action reduces appetite and improves how your body processes food and blood sugar, and in trials it produced the strongest average weight loss of any current medication.
At Omnia Health, tirzepatide is delivered inside a supervised program, with nutrition coaching and physician follow-up, not in isolation.
Zepbound · Mounjaro
Same molecule, different names.
Zepbound and Mounjaro are the same active drug, tirzepatide, from the same maker (Eli Lilly). What changes is the FDA label and the dose ceiling for each use. Zepbound is approved for weight management (and obstructive sleep apnea); Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes and used off-label for weight. If weight loss is the goal, Zepbound is the version built and dosed for it. We prescribe branded, FDA-approved tirzepatide only, never compounded.
| Attribute | Zepbound | Mounjaro |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Tirzepatide (identical molecule) |
| FDA-approved for | Chronic weight management; obstructive sleep apnea | Type 2 diabetes |
| Maximum dose | 15 mg weekly | 15 mg weekly |
| Avg. weight loss (trial) | Up to ~20% over 72 weeks (SURMOUNT-1) | Studied at diabetes doses |
| How it's taken | Weekly self-injection, prefilled pen | Weekly self-injection, prefilled pen |
| Main side effects | GI: nausea, diarrhea, constipation | GI: nausea, diarrhea, constipation |
| Typical coverage | Weight-loss benefit + prior authorization | Covered for type 2 diabetes |
| Not for | MTC/MEN2 history; pregnancy | MTC/MEN2 history; pregnancy |
Sources: FDA prescribing information for Zepbound and Mounjaro; SURMOUNT-1 (Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2022). Trial figures are population averages; your results depend on dose, adherence and your overall plan. Individual results vary.
The essentials
How tirzepatide works, at a glance.
How it works
Two hormones, not one
Tirzepatide activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, reducing appetite and improving glycemic control. The dual mechanism is thought to drive its larger average weight loss.
How it's taken
Weekly, self-injected
A once-weekly subcutaneous injection from a prefilled pen, on the same day each week, titrated upward over months to the dose you tolerate best.
Who qualifies
BMI ≥30, or ≥27+
Adults with a BMI of 30+, or 27+ with a weight-related condition, after a medical evaluation. Not for those with a history of medullary thyroid cancer/MEN2 or in pregnancy.
Expected results
Up to ~20% body-weight loss, on average.
In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, adults without diabetes lost on average up to about 20% of their body weight over 72 weeks at the highest dose, with lifestyle changes, among the strongest results for any weight-loss medication. Individual results vary. Source: NEJM SURMOUNT-1 (Jastreboff et al., 2022)
Individual results vary. These figures are from published clinical trials, not a guarantee of your outcome.
In real life Trial averages assume you reach a full dose and stay on it. Most people don’t: in a 7,881-patient study, real-world weight loss at one year averaged 8.7% overall — about 3.6% for people who stopped within three months, against 11.9% for those who stayed on treatment, with more than 80% never reaching a full maintenance dose. That gap is titration, side-effect management and follow-up, which is exactly what a structured, supervised program is for. Gasoyan H, et al. Obesity, 2025.
average body-weight loss at 72 weeks (highest dose, SURMOUNT-1)
Weekly · self-injected
Side effects
What to expect: and how we manage it.
Most side effects are gastrointestinal and mildest at the starting dose. We titrate slowly, coach smaller protein-forward meals and hydration, and adjust as needed, the advantage of physician supervision.
- Most commonNausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, usually transient.
- ManagementStart low, titrate slowly, eat smaller meals, stay hydrated, avoid greasy/heavy foods.
- Rare but seriousPancreatitis, gallbladder disease. Stop and call us for severe persistent abdominal pain.
- Not forHistory of medullary thyroid cancer/MEN2, pregnancy, or prior serious reaction.
- Before sedationTell your surgeon and anesthesiologist before any procedure requiring sedation. These medicines slow stomach emptying, so your fasting instructions may need to change.
- Birth controlTirzepatide can make birth-control pills less effective. Switch to a non-oral method, or add a barrier method, for four weeks after starting and after each dose increase.
Cost & insurance
What does tirzepatide cost?
Coverage varies by plan, and branded GLP-1s can be costly without it. We verify your coverage first. Without coverage, tirzepatide via Lilly Direct is $299–$449/mo. Financing through Cherry is available.
See pricing & insuranceTirzepatide vs. semaglutide
Which GLP-1 is right for me?
Tirzepatide showed greater average weight loss in trials, but semaglutide has a longer track record and may suit you better on cost or tolerance. Dr. Eduardo will help you choose.
Compare with semaglutideTirzepatide FAQ
Tirzepatide questions
Can't find your answer here? Call us at (470) 742-1832 or book a consultation, we'll answer every question before you commit to anything.
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injectable that activates two gut-hormone receptors (GIP and GLP-1) at once. It's sold as Zepbound (FDA-approved for chronic weight management) and Mounjaro (FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, used off-label for weight loss). The dual action reduces appetite and improves how your body handles food and blood sugar.
In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, adults without diabetes lost on average up to about 20% of body weight over 72 weeks at the highest dose, with lifestyle changes, among the strongest results seen with a weight-loss medication. Results vary by individual, dose, and adherence. Source: NEJM SURMOUNT-1 (Jastreboff et al., 2022)
Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, or sleep apnea, may be candidates after a medical evaluation. It's not for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2, and is not used in pregnancy.
Semaglutide targets one receptor (GLP-1); tirzepatide targets two (GIP and GLP-1). In head-to-head and separate trials, tirzepatide produced greater average weight loss (~20% vs ~15%), but semaglutide has a longer track record and individual response differs. Dr. Eduardo helps you weigh results, side effects, cost, and coverage. Source: SURMOUNT-1 vs STEP 1 trials
Like other incretin medications, the most common side effects are gastrointestinal (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation) usually mildest at the lowest dose and easing with time. Starting low, titrating slowly, smaller protein-forward meals, and hydration help. Rare but serious risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder problems; we review your full risk profile first.
No. Omnia Health prescribes only FDA-approved, branded tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro). We do not offer compounded tirzepatide. Compounded versions are not FDA-evaluated for safety, quality, or effectiveness, and we believe regulated, branded medicine is the right standard for our patients.
Yes. Both are the exact same active molecule, tirzepatide, made by the same manufacturer (Eli Lilly). The difference is the FDA label: Zepbound is approved for chronic weight management (and obstructive sleep apnea), while Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes. Same molecule, two differently labeled boxes.
For weight loss, Zepbound is the brand designed and FDA-approved for the job. Both are tirzepatide dosed up to 15 mg weekly, and in the SURMOUNT-1 trial adults lost on average up to about 20% of body weight over 72 weeks at the highest dose. Mounjaro is the same molecule but is approved and studied for diabetes, so weight loss on it is off-label. Coverage follows the label, so Dr. Eduardo prescribes the branded version that fits your diagnosis. Source: SURMOUNT-1 (Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2022).
Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss, so prescribing it purely for weight is off-label and insurers generally will not cover it for that purpose. If your goal is weight management, Zepbound (the same molecule, approved for that use) is usually the appropriate branded choice. Our team verifies your specific benefits and explains the options during your evaluation.
Start your journey
See if tirzepatide is right for you.
Book a medical evaluation with Dr. Eduardo, and get a plan built around you, not just a prescription.
