Tirzepatide for treating obese or overweight adults

Tirzepatide is in clinical development for the treatment of obesity or overweight individuals with weight-related comorbidities (e.g., sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease). Excess weight can place stress on both mental and physical health, leading to complications such as depression, low self-esteem, and increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Weight can be affected by factors such as diet, physical activity, genetics, and general health conditions, however diet and exercise are the two main contributing factors. Being overweight may be reversible through lifestyle changes such as increased exercise, healthy diet, and a net calorie deficit, along with help through counselling and medication. If weight is not able to be controlled, surgery may be required. Therefore, there is an unmet need for pharmacological therapies that target weight control.