Key takeaways:
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) is FDA approved for Type 2 diabetes, weight loss, and obstructive sleep apnea. But there are many other potential tirzepatide uses being researched.
Phase 3 trials have shown promising results for using tirzepatide to treat heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. But the FDA has requested that the manufacturer complete more studies to confirm these benefits before they consider approving it.
Tirzepatide is also being studied to treat a type of liver disease and to lower the risk of serious cardiovascular events. But these uses aren't as far along in the process. Larger studies are needed to confirm potential benefits.
There are many medications that are used for more than one condition. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) is an example. This injectable medication has made headlines since its initial FDA approval in 2022. But its newsworthy appearances aren’t over.
As researchers continue to study tirzepatide, they keep discovering potential uses and benefits. Many people know the medication as a diabetes or weight-loss medication. But what else is tirzepatide used for?
What is tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is an injectable medication. It works by acting like two natural gut hormones in the body:
Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)
It belongs to a medication class called dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists. It’s currently the only medication in this class.
By acting like these two hormones, tirzepatide has the following effects:
It tells your pancreas to release more insulin after you eat.
It tells your liver to make less new glucose (sugar).
It slows the movement of food out of your stomach.
It targets areas of your brain that regulate appetite and food cravings.
It may help balance levels of certain hunger hormones.
What is tirzepatide approved for?
Tirzepatide is currently FDA approved for Type 2 diabetes, weight loss, and obstructive sleep apnea. But this list is expected to grow over the coming years.
Below, you’ll find detail regarding tirzepatide’s current FDA-approved uses.
Note: You’ll see the terms “phase 2” and “phase 3” used throughout this article. Phase 2 trials are earlier stage clinical trials that look to see if a medication works to treat a condition. Phase 3 trials are larger than phase 2 trials. They’re typically the last step needed before a pharmaceutical company can apply for FDA approval.
Type 2 diabetes
In 2022, tirzepatide was approved under the brand name Mounjaro for managing Type 2 diabetes in adults. This was its first FDA approval.
Compare tirzepatide injections: See what experts say about the similarities and differences between Mounjaro and Zepbound, two brand-name versions of tirzepatide.
How does it work? Learn about how tirzepatide works for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss.
Possible side effects: Read about tirzepatide’s potential side effects — from diarrhea to hair loss — and how to manage them.
Experts studied tirzepatide for diabetes in five phase 3 clinical trials (the SURPASS trials). Key findings from the SURPASS trials include:
Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C or A1C) reduction of about 2% across all trials (A1C represents your average glucose levels over the past 2 to 3 months)
Greater A1C reduction and weight loss compared to Ozempic (semaglutide), a weekly GLP-1 injection for Type 2 diabetes
Better blood glucose management compared to long-acting insulins, such as insulin degludec (Tresiba) and insulin glargine (Lantus)
Significant reductions in body weight
Improvements in health markers, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Chronic weight management
In 2023, tirzepatide was also approved for chronic weight management in adults. When used for weight loss, tirzepatide is approved under the brand name Zepbound.
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Experts studied tirzepatide for weight loss in five phase 3 clinical trials (the SURMOUNT trials). Key findings from the SURMOUNT trials showed:
Average weight loss ranging from 15% to 20%, depending on the tirzepatide dose
Significant weight loss in both people with and without Type 2 diabetes
Maintained weight loss with continued use, with possible rebound weight gain after stopping tirzepatide
Greater weight loss compared to Wegovy (semaglutide), a weekly GLP-1 injection for weight loss
Obstructive sleep apnea
In December 2024, the FDA approved tirzepatide to treat moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in adults who are considered obese. This expanded Zepbound’s list of approved uses.
Experts conducted two phase 3 clinical trials (the SURMOUNT-OSA trials) to study this. Both looked for change in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). This is a tool that healthcare professionals can use to diagnose sleep apnea. It can also show how severe your symptoms are. An AHI that goes down means that your symptoms have improved.
The SURMOUNT-OSA trials included adults with moderate-to-severe OSA who were also considered obese. Key findings include:
Significant reductions in AHI scores
Better sleep quality
Lower hypoxic burden (a measurement that shows a lack of oxygen caused by sleep apnea)
Lower high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (a blood test that measures inflammation)
Lower systolic blood pressure (the top number when measuring blood pressure)
What research is being done on potential uses for tirzepatide?
Below, we detail what research is being done on other tirzepatide uses. There’s a chance we may see it approved for these uses in the coming years.
This list represents ongoing clinical trials conducted by Eli Lilly, tirzepatide’s manufacturer. There may be other uses that experts haven’t discovered yet.
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Experts are also studying tirzepatide for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in adults considered obese.
A phase 3 trial (the SUMMIT trial) evaluated tirzepatide in people with HFpEF with a high body mass index (BMI). It focused on whether tirzepatide lowered the risk of cardiovascular death and prevented HFpEF from worsening. It also looked at whether tirzepatide improved people’s quality of life.
The SUMMIT trial found the following:
A lower risk of cardiovascular death
A lower risk of worsening heart failure
Improved quality of life, which was determined by changes in their symptoms and physical limitations
Lower high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels
Lower systolic blood pressure
Significant weight loss
Eli Lilly initially applied for FDA approval for HFpEF in late 2024. But in May 2025, they withdrew their approval application. Eli Lilly made this decision because the FDA requested they complete another clinical trial. The agency would like to see more data confirming its benefits for treating HFpEF before they’ll review it for potential approval.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)
Tirzepatide has also shown promising results for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This liver condition used to be called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It’s a form of fatty liver disease. Evidence suggests tirzepatide may help treat MASH in adults considered overweight or obese.
A phase 2 trial (the SYNERGY-NASH trial) compared tirzepatide to placebo over 52 weeks. It looked to see if participants’ MASH resolved. Between 44% and 62% of people who used tirzepatide experienced MASH resolution. Higher doses (15 mg) seemed to have better results than lower doses (5 mg).
Based on these results, it’s expected that Eli Lilly will move forward with a phase 3 trial. But a start date hasn’t been announced yet. So it could be some time before we see tirzepatide approved for MASH.
Cardiovascular risk reduction
There’s also research looking at tirzepatide’s potential to reduce cardiovascular risks.
The SURPASS-CVOT trial is a large, completed phase 3 trial. It researched tirzepatide’s cardiovascular benefits in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The trial focused on whether the medication lowers the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). MACE is a term that includes heart attacks, strokes, or cardiovascular death.
Participants in this trial received tirzepatide or dulaglutide (Trulicity) for 54 months (4 to 5 years). Dulaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that has proven cardiovascular benefits.
The trial found similar rates of MACE in people receiving tirzepatide and those receiving dulaglutide. People in the tirzepatide group also had improvements in measures such as A1C, body weight, and death from any cause.
Lilly has not stated when they’ll apply for FDA approval based on these findings.
The SURMOUNT-MMO trial is a large, ongoing phase 3 trial. It’s focusing on whether tirzepatide has cardiovascular benefits for people considered overweight or obese who don’t have Type 2 diabetes.
The trial will look at whether tirzepatide lowers the risk of:
Death from any cause
Nonfatal heart attack
Nonfatal stroke
Hospitalizations or urgent care visits due to heart failure
Needing a coronary revascularization (a surgery that helps restore blood flow the heart)
Participants will receive tirzepatide or placebo for 5 years. The SURMOUNT-MMO trial is expected to run until October 2027.
Safety and effectiveness in children
Experts are also studying tirzepatide’s use and safety in children. There are three ongoing clinical trials for this: SURPASS-PEDS, SURMOUNT-ADOLESCENTS, and SURMOUNT-ADOLESCENTS-2.
The SURPASS-PEDS trial is a phase 3 trial. It’s researching whether tirzepatide is safe and works well for Type 2 diabetes in children ages 10 to 17. The trial will primarily focus on how much the medication lowers A1C. But it will also look at whether tirzepatide causes weight loss.
Participants will receive tirzepatide or placebo for 30 weeks (7 months). Two different doses of tirzepatide are being researched. But Eli Lilly hasn’t announced what those doses are. This study is expected to run until February 2025.
The SURMOUNT trials for adolescents (study 1 and study 2) are phase 3 trials. They’ll show whether tirzepatide is safe and works well for weight loss in adolescents age 12 to 17 who are considered overweight or obese. Both trials will measure changes in body weight and BMI. But study 2 will also look at whether tirzepatide has cardiovascular benefits for adolescents with weight-related health conditions.
Participants will receive tirzepatide or placebo for about 17 months. Study 1 is expected to be completed in October 2026. Study 2 is expected to be completed in June 2027. So it’ll be a few more years before we hear about a potential tirzepatide approval in children.
Plaque psoriasis
Experts are also studying tirzepatide as an add-on medication for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
The TOGETHER-PsO trial is an ongoing phase 3 trial. It will look at whether combining tirzepatide with ixekizumab (Taltz) can help improve psoriasis symptoms in adults with high BMIs. Ixekizumab is a biologic medication that’s already approved to treat plaque psoriasis.
Participants will receive tirzepatide and ixekizumab or ixekizumab by itself for about 8 months. We already know how well ixekizumab typically works. This trial will show if tirzepatide offers extra symptom improvement. The TOGETHER-PsO trial is expected to run until May 2026.
Psoriatic arthritis
Experts are also studying tirzepatide as an add-on treatment for psoriatic arthritis.
The TOGETHER-PsA trial is an ongoing phase 3 trial. It’s researching whether using both tirzepatide and ixekizumab provides symptom improvement. Similar to above, we know how well ixekizumab works for psoriatic arthritis. This study will help us learn if tirzepatide offers more benefits than the biologic medication does by itself.
Participants will receive tirzepatide and ixekizumab or ixekizumab by itself for about 8 months. The study is expected to finish in August 2026.
Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the tirzepatide use furthest away from potential approval. Clinical trials are still in earlier stages.
The TREASURE-CKD trial is an ongoing phase 2 trial. It’s looking at whether tirzepatide could treat CKD in adults considered overweight or obese. The study will include people with and without Type 2 diabetes.
Participants will receive tirzepatide or placebo for 1 year. The TREASURE-CKD trial is expected to run until February 2026. Eli Lilly would need to conduct a phase 3 trial after this one is finished in order to seek FDA approval. So it will be several years before we know whether tirzepatide can be used for CKD.
The bottom line
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) is currently FDA approved for Type 2 diabetes, weight loss, and obstructive sleep apnea. But experts are researching what else it can be used for. Clinical trials suggest tirzepatide may also be beneficial for treating a type of heart failure. But the FDA is requiring the manufacturer to complete another clinical trial before they’ll consider approving it for this use.
Tirzepatide is also being studied to treat a type of liver disease and to lower the risk of major cardiovascular problems. These studies aren’t as far along in the research process. More studies will help confirm if tirzepatide can be used for these conditions.
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References
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