Tirzepatide
Also known as: LY3298176 · GIP/GLP-1 dual agonist
A dual agonist at the GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Unlike most compounds in this encyclopedia, tirzepatide has received marketing authorisation as a medicine in several jurisdictions, which means a regulator has reviewed a full clinical dossier for it.
Development status: Approved as a medicine in one or more jurisdictions
Identifiers and molecular characteristics
- CAS number
- Not verified
- Molecular formula
- Not verified
- Molecular mass
- Not verified
- Amino-acid sequence
- Not verified
- PubChem CID
- Not verified
Identifiers are published only with a source and a check date. Fields marked “not verified” have not yet been confirmed against a primary source — we show the gap rather than an unchecked figure. Always confirm against the certificate of analysis for the specific lot you hold.
Biological targets
- GIP receptor
- GLP-1 receptor
Mechanism of action
Tirzepatide activates both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors. GLP-1 receptor agonism promotes glucose-dependent insulin secretion and slows gastric emptying; the contribution of concurrent GIP receptor activity is an active area of research, with the balance between the two receptors differing from native hormone signalling.
Research evidence and its limits
Supported by a completed phase 3 clinical programme with results in peer-reviewed journals and a regulatory dossier assessed by multiple agencies. This is the strongest evidence tier represented in this encyclopedia.
Safety considerations
Because tirzepatide is an approved medicine in some jurisdictions, authoritative safety information exists in the form of approved product labelling from the relevant regulator — which is the correct source to consult, not this page. Any material supplied for laboratory research is not pharmaceutical-grade product and carries none of those assurances. Supplied and discussed here strictly as a laboratory research material. Not a medicine, not for human or veterinary administration, and nothing on this page should be read as a dosing, treatment or safety recommendation.
Analytical identification and quality testing
High-resolution mass spectrometry for identity, RP-HPLC for purity, and ideally comparison against a characterised reference standard. The close structural relationship to other incretin analogues makes orthogonal confirmation worthwhile.
Regulatory status
Approved as a prescription medicine under brand names in several jurisdictions including the United States. Status in India should be confirmed directly with CDSCO. Approval of a medicine does not make research-grade material of the same compound a medicine.
Frequently asked questions
Is research-grade tirzepatide the same as the prescription medicine?
No. An approved medicine is a specific formulation manufactured under pharmaceutical quality systems, assessed by a regulator and dispensed under prescription. Research material shares a compound name and nothing else that matters legally or clinically.
References
Available from RetraLabs
Tirzepatide
10 MG · 99.4% · supplied for laboratory research use only.
View product detailsRelated compounds
Retatrutide
An engineered single-molecule agonist at the GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, developed by Eli Lilly under the code LY3437943. It is investigational: it has been studied in human trials but is not an approved medicine in any jurisdiction as of this entry’s review date.
Semaglutide
A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist, structurally derived from human GLP-1 with modifications that resist enzymatic degradation and extend circulating half-life. Approved as a medicine in multiple jurisdictions.
Entry last reviewed 2026-10-11. Regulatory status and scientific understanding change; verify against primary sources before relying on anything here.