Tirzepatide

Pronunciation (tir ZEP a tide)

This drug has been shown to cause thyroid cancer in some animals. It is not known if this happens in humans. If thyroid cancer happens, it may be deadly if not found and treated early. Call you doctor right away if you have a neck mass, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or have hoarseness that will not go away.

Do not use this drug if you have a health problem called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or if you or a family member have had thyroid cancer.

Have your blood work checked and thyroid ultrasounds as you have been told by your doctor.

Low blood sugar can happen with this drug. The chance may be raised when this drug is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call you doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.

• It is used to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, and for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

• If you are allergic to this drug; or any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have ever had pancreatitis.
• If you have stomach or bowel problems.
• If you are using another drug that has the same drug in it.
• If you are using another drug like this one. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you have type 1 diabetes. Do not use this drug to treat type 1 diabetes.
• If you have an acidic blood problem.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems.

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
• Birth control pills may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. If you take birth control pills, you may need to switch to another type of birth control like a vaginal ring if your doctor tells you to.
• This drug may prevent other drugs taken by mouth from getting into the body. If you take other drugs by mouth, you may need to take them at some other time than this drug. Talk with your doctor.
• If you have upset stomach, throwing up, or diarrhea that does not go away, you need to avoid getting dehydrated. Contact your doctor to find out what to do. Dehydration my lead to low blood pressure or to new or worsening kidney problems.
• If you will be having any surgery or procedure, talk with your doctor. This drug may raise the risk of food getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sedation. You may need to stop this drug before these types of surgery or procedures.
• A severe and sometimes deadly pancreas problem (pancreatitis) has happened with other drugs like this one.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• Do not drive if your blood sugar has been low. There is a greater chance of you having a crash.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of gallbladder problems like pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; yellow skin or eyes; fever with chills; bloating; or very upset stomach or throwing up.
• Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, or very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Dizziness or passing out.
• A fast heartbeat.
• Change in eyesight.
• Feeling anxious or irritable
• Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when this drug is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or decreased appetite.
• Heartburn.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FAERS-FDA Adverse Drug Event Reporting Systerm).

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow directions closely.

• Shake well before using.
• Keep the dose in your mouth for at least 90 seconds before swallowing.
• Do not eat or drink for at least 30 minutes after taking.
• Take with or without food.
• Do not use if the solution is leaking or has particles.
• This drug is amber colored and transparent. Do not use if the solution changes color.

• If it is within 4 hours after the missed dose, take the missed dose and go back to your normal time the next day.
• If it has been more than 4 hours since the missed dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time the next day.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

• Store at room temperature or in refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Protect from heat.
• Protect from light.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down the toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away.

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient.