Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Dehydration: Tirzepatide causes digestive side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These side effects can cause dehydration by causing excessive fluid loss and reduced fluid intake. Dehydration can further lead to kidney problems, low blood pressure, and heart problems. If you experience symptoms of dehydration, such as thirst, decreased urine or tear production, dizziness or headaches, contact your doctor.
Gallstones: Tirzepatide has been associated with an increase in gallstone formation. Gallstones often form when there is significant or fast weight loss. If you experience symptoms of gallstones, such as nausea and vomiting, pain under the right shoulder or between the shoulder blades or severe abdominal pain, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Heart problems: This medication may increase heart rate and may affect how electrical impulses travel through the heart muscle. If you have heart disease or an abnormal heart rhythm (e.g., heart block or fast heart rate), discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Intestinal problems: Tirzepatide may slow down the speed that material passes through the digestive system. If you have digestive system problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Kidney problems: Tirzepatide may cause decreased kidney function, including kidney failure. If you experience symptoms of decreased kidney function, such as puffy hands, face or feet, high blood pressure, unusual muscle cramping, or darkened urine, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): This medication may cause low blood sugar when it is used with sulfonylureas (e.g., glyburide, gliclazide) or insulin. If you are taking any of these types of medications, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia such as a cold sweat, nervousness or shakiness, fast heartbeat, headache, hunger, confusion, lightheadedness, weakness, and numbness or tingling of the tongue or lips, contact your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose of your medication(s).
Mental health: Tirzepatide may cause depressed mood or worsening symptoms of depression. If you have depression or a history of depression, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you experience symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, or notice them in a family member who is taking this medication contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): Tirzepatide may cause pancreatitis that can be serious or life-threatening. If you experience symptoms of pancreatitis such as severe and persistent abdominal pain that may move to your back and may be accompanied by vomiting, stop taking this medication and contact your doctor or get immediate medical attention. If you have previously had pancreatitis, gallstones, or alcohol use problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Risk of thyroid cancer: In rare cases, people have developed thyroid cancer while using medications similar to tirzepatide. People with a personal or family history of thyroid cancer or people who have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (a disease where people have tumours in more than one gland in their body) should not use this medication. If you develop difficulty swallowing or breathing, hoarseness or notice a mass developing in your neck, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Surgery: In rare cases, people have developed problems where food or liquid from the stomach gets into their lungs while sedated during surgery. If you are scheduled for surgery, make sure that everyone involved in your care knows about all the medications you use.
Vision: Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that results from uncontrolled blood glucose levels. When blood glucose levels are brought under control quickly, symptoms of retinopathy may become worse for a short period of time. If you experience vision changes with the use of tirzepatide, talk to your doctor.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. People who may become pregnant should use a barrier method of birth control. Tirzepatide should be stopped at least 1 month before a planned pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if tirzepatide passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.
