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Tirzepatide: Frequently Asked Questions

FM

Reviewed by Fat Man in the Arena · Updated March 2026

Not medical advice. These answers are for educational purposes based on published research. Full disclaimer.

Is tirzepatide better than semaglutide for weight loss?

In the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head trial, tirzepatide 15 mg achieved 20.2% weight loss compared to 13.7% with semaglutide 2.4 mg over 72 weeks. Tirzepatide produced statistically superior weight loss, though both medications showed significant results compared to placebo.

What is the maximum dose of tirzepatide?

The maximum FDA-approved dose of tirzepatide is 15 mg per week for weight management (Zepbound). Treatment starts at 2.5 mg weekly and increases by 2.5 mg every four weeks during titration. The dose escalation period takes approximately 20 weeks to reach the maximum dose.

Sources

  • Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-1)New England Journal of Medicine (2022) [PubMed]
  • Tirzepatide vs Semaglutide for Weight Loss (SURMOUNT-5)New England Journal of Medicine (2024) [PubMed]

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