Tirzepatide Products Continue to Be in Short Supply

Tirzepatide products continue to be in limited supply, according to the Food and Drug Administration’s Drug Shortages tracker.

Tirzepatide, a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, is the active ingredient in Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for chronic weight management. 

Currently, all dosages of Mounjaro, apart from the 2.5mg/0.5mL strength, are in short supply. The recommended starting dosage of Mounjaro is 2.5mg injected subcutaneously (SC) once weekly. The 2.5mg dosage is for treatment initiation and is not intended for glycemic control. The dosage should then be increased to 5mg SC once weekly after 4 weeks, and if additional glycemic control is needed, the dosage can be increased in 2.5mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose (max 15mg SC once weekly). Mounjaro is supplied in prefilled single-dose pens or single-dose vials.

Similarly, only the 2.5mg/0.5mL dosage strength of Zepbound is available. The recommended starting dosage of Zepbound is 2.5mg injected SC once weekly. The 2.5mg dosage is for treatment initiation and is not intended for chronic weight management. After 4 weeks, the dosage is then increased to 5mg SC once weekly. Further increases may be considered based on response and tolerability and are done in 2.5mg increments after at least 4 weeks on the current dose. The recommended maintenance dosages of Zepbound are 5mg, 10mg, or 15mg (maximum dosage) SC once weekly. The product is supplied in prefilled, single-dose pens.

According to manufacturer Eli Lilly, multiple tirzepatide injections should not be combined to make a larger dose as this has not been studied in clinical trials. The shortage is expected to continue at least through the second quarter of 2024.