One of the main reasons I started MJ-UK was to make information available to all, and it’s something I’m really passionate about. In this new series, we’ll provide an update on the research that’s been published on Science Direct this week mentioning “Tirzepatide” (the drug name which is branded as Mounjaro in the UK) in non-technical terms.
Real-world use and effectiveness of tirzepatide among people without evidence of type 2 diabetes in the United States
Author: Hankosky et al. (2025)
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabet.2025.101636
Aim: To understand treatment patterns and effectiveness of tirzepatide among people without type 2 diabetes in the US.
Population: 4,177 individuals over the age of 18, who’d made 1 or more claim on insurance for tirzepatide from 13th May 2022 to 24th May 2023, and stuck at it for at least 6 months. The vast majority were female (76%), with an average age of 46 and BMI of 37.1 at the start of their journey.
Results: Most people went up the doses at a slower rate than in clinical trials, but achieved clinically meaningful weight reduction of 13% on average 6-months after starting. This is a similar outcome to the original SURMOUNT-1 trial which also only considered those without type 2 diabetes.
Other references: SURMOUNT-1, available at: https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2206038
Incretin-based drugs and the risk of gallbladder or biliary tract diseases among patients with type 2 diabetes across categories of body mass index: a nationwide cohort study
Author: Ko et al. (2025)
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2024.101242
Aim: To understand whether the risk of gallbladder or biliary tract diseases (GBD) when using incretin-based drugs (including GLP1s) is higher/lower depending on your BMI.
Population: Around 500,000, as the data was captured using government sources from 2013-2022.
Results: There was no significant difference in risk for those with a higher/lower BMI.
Tirzepatide-induced lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP)
Author: Fisher et al. (2025)
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdcr.2025.02.018
Aim: This is a case study report, therefore no aim.
Population: Single individual, who was referred to dermatology after experiencing an unusual side effect.
Results: LPP was diagnosed, and the patient was offered the option to discontinue tirzepatide. However, they opted for treatment of the symptoms and to continue use of tirzepatide.
Multifunctional incretin peptides in therapies for type 2 diabetes, obesity and associated co-morbidities
Author: Bailey et al. (2025)
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peptides.2025.171380
Aim: To provide a review of the literature around the benefits of semaglutide and tirzepatide, beyond reductions in weight or for the management of blood sugar levels.
Conclusions: There is evidence that suggests these medications may provide therapeutic approaches for protecting the heart and kidneys. Other possible benefits involve the improvement of sleep apnea, inflammation, steatotic liver disease and neurocognitive defects (including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s).