The CDSCO in India has given Eli Lilly approval to distribute Tirzepatide-based Mounjaro, a drug to treat type 2 diabetes, in the country. Eli Lilly plans to bring the drug to market in early 2025. Zepbound, another Tirzepatide-based drug for weight loss, is under consideration and hasn’t been approved yet. Tirzepatide mimics GIP and GLP-1, important hormones in the body that regulate blood sugar and insulin production. Tirzepatide has been known to have side effects such as stomach pains, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and heartburn. It is a prescription medication and should not be taken without supervision of a licensed endocrinologist. The main advantage of Mounjaro, over conventional type 2 diabetes medications, is that it only needs to be administered once a week. However, the current pricing is very high, and could be a deterrent in making the drug popular and accessible to all.
India’s Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has given the US-based company Eli Lilly first approval to distribute its tirzepatide-based drugs Mounjaro and in the country. Tirzepatide is an anti-diabetic medication used to treat type 2 diabetes as well as obesity. Mounjaro is intended to treat type 2 diabetes and Zepbound (another drug by Eli Lilly containing Tirzepatide, currently under review) is for weight loss. Tirzepatide is administered in the form of weekly injections. Eli Lilly is expected to launch Mounjaro in India early next year. Danish Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk also plans to launch its weight loss drug Wegovy, a semaglutide injection, in India in 2026. These drugs are expected to have a major impact in a country like India, which has a high rate of type 2 Diabetes – Nearly 12% of our citizens are living with the condition. Obesity is also on the rise, and weight loss is quickly becoming a huge industry in India.
Tirzepatide is a dual glucose-dependant insulinotropic polypeptide. It works by mimicking 2 important hormones in the body – GIP and GLP-1. Both of these hormones are involved in regulating blood sugar levels. They stimulate the release of insulin in response to meals, lowering blood sugar levels. GLP-1 slows the rate at which glucose is absorbed into the blood after eating, and increases satiety so the patient feels full faster. By acting on the brain’s appetite, these drugs help reduce hunger.
Tirzepatide is a prescription drug and should only be used in consultation with your endocrinologist. Before deciding to use this medication, please inform your doctor of any allergies you may have. Your doctor also needs to be aware of any other medication you are taking, to avoid drug interference.
The most common side effect of Tirzepatide is stomach pain. It could also cause the following symptoms, although these are less common:
Some patients also report side effects which are not listed here, but whether those side effects are exclusively caused by Tirzepatide is inconclusive.
Tirzepatide has also been known to potentially affect (delay) the absorption of oral medications such as oral contraceptive pills.
Mounjaro is aimed at type 2 diabetes patients. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are nearly 77 million adults with type 2 diabetes in India. This is a huge market, that Eli Lilly hopes to capitalize on with the release of Mounjaro. With the CDSCO approval having cleared, Mounjaro is set to launch in early 2025. One of the key advantages of Mounjaro, over other type 2 diabetes medicines currently available in the market, is that the patient only needs a single dose every week. This eliminates the hassles of taking multiple pills a day and timing them correctly. However, the cost of the drug, relative to other oral type 2 diabetes medicines is very high. A month’s worth of type 2 diabetes pills, like Metformin 250, would cost you about Rs.50, but a month’s worth of Mounjaro would cost about Rs.80,000. That’s nearly a 1600x increase in cost which few diabetes patients would find feasible.
Zepbound is essentially the same formula as Mounjaro, but it is marketed as a weight loss product. Zepbound, an injectable prescription medicine, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration last year, and is on its way to getting approval in India as well. Zepbound is not intended for normal people trying to achieve a more attractive physique. It is intended for highly obese people, who suffer from other co-morbidities due to their weight and have great difficulty losing weight through diet and exercise.
While the diabetes patients in India may find Tirzepatide too expensive, we have a huge market for weight loss drugs in India and sufficient evidence that people are willing to spend on it. India is home to a culture of fat shaming and this increases the chances of abuse significantly. Tirzepatide is very similar to Ozempic, another American drug meant for type 2 diabetes which became very popular among celebrities and people in the entertainment industry for its weight loss benefits. In fact, Ozempic became so popular for weight loss, that it was being hoarded for this purpose, creating a shortage for actual diabetics who needed it. Unethical doctors were caught prescribing Ozempic “Off-label” to non-diabetics. This is a lesson to India about the potential Tirzepatide has to be abused, if it gains popularity for the wrong reasons.
The answer to this is a categorical “NO”. Tirzepatide is only effective as long as the medication is taken continuously. Most people who reach their “goal weight” and then stop taking the medication just gain the weight back. Tirzepatide is not for normal people who want to become “fashionably thin”. It is meant for people whose obesity threatens their general health. Taking the medication must be a part of a larger strategy towards a healthy lifestyle. Eating a clean diet and exercising are crucial to a sustainable weight loss journey. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
If you have questions about diabetes management, weight loss medications, or Tirzepatide, consult the expert endocrinology team at Kauvery Hospital. With branches in Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, Kauvery Hospital offers advanced care and personalized guidance for your health needs.
What is Tirzepatide and how does it help with diabetes? Tirzepatide is an injection that mimics two hormones—GIP and GLP-1—to regulate blood sugar and improve insulin response. It’s approved in India to treat type 2 diabetes.
Is Tirzepatide available in India now? Yes, India’s drug authority (CDSCO) has approved Mounjaro, a Tirzepatide-based drug, for type 2 diabetes. It’s expected to be launched by Eli Lilly in early 2025.
What are the side effects of Tirzepatide? Common side effects include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and heartburn. Some patients may also experience skin rashes or dizziness.
Can Tirzepatide be used for weight loss? Tirzepatide may aid weight loss, but Zepbound—the weight loss version—is only recommended for medically obese individuals with related health risks.
Is Tirzepatide safe for non-diabetics? No, Tirzepatide is a prescription drug meant for specific health conditions. Using it without medical need or supervision can lead to health risks and is not recommended.
Will the weight come back after stopping Tirzepatide? Yes, most users regain weight after stopping Tirzepatide unless they follow a healthy diet and exercise plan. It’s not a permanent solution without lifestyle changes.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet, Vadapalani & Radial Road), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and paediatric trauma care.
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