Tirzepatide vs Teduglutide
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
GLP-1 / Weight Loss Agonists
TirzepatideRecovery & Repair
Teduglutide- Summary
- Tirzepatide is an FDA-approved dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist that produces greater weight loss than semaglutide in head-to-head trials. SURMOUNT-1 trial showed average 21% body weight reduction at 72 weeks at the highest dose. Marketed as Mounjaro (diabetes) and Zepbound (obesity).
- Teduglutide is a GLP-2 (glucagon-like peptide-2) analog with enhanced stability. Unlike GLP-1, GLP-2 specifically acts on the intestinal epithelium to increase intestinal length, villus height, and absorption surface area. FDA-approved as Gattex for short bowel syndrome, it is also being investigated for IBD, leaky gut, and mucosal healing.
- Half-Life
- ~5 days
- ~2 hours; once-daily dosing due to gut-specific residence
- Admin Route
- SubQ
- SubQ
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 2.5 mg → 5 mg → 7.5 mg → 10 mg → 12.5 mg → 15 mg
- 0.05 mg/kg/day
- Frequency
- Once weekly, subcutaneous
- Once daily
- Key Benefits
- Average 21% body weight reduction at highest dose (SURMOUNT-1)
- Superior to semaglutide in head-to-head SURPASS trials
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism for enhanced metabolic control
- Significant reduction in HbA1c for type 2 diabetes
- Improved cardiovascular risk markers
- Reduces visceral fat preferentially
- FDA-approved for T2DM (Mounjaro) and obesity (Zepbound)
- Weekly dosing
- Increases intestinal villus height and absorption surface area
- Reduces intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
- FDA-approved for short bowel syndrome
- Reduces parenteral nutrition dependence in SBS patients
- Promotes intestinal mucosal healing in IBD
- Increases tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin
- Side Effects
- Nausea (most common during titration)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Abdominal pain
- +3 more
- Injection site reactions
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Nausea
- Risk of intestinal polyp growth (requires colonoscopy surveillance)
- +1 more
- Stacks With
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