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Incretin and metabolic research Research use only

Tirzepatide

Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist (active ingredient of Mounjaro and Zepbound)

A single molecule that activates two gut hormone receptors, GIP and GLP-1. It is the active ingredient in approved prescription medicines for type 2 diabetes, weight management and sleep apnoea. Research-grade powder sold online is not those medicines.

Reviewed 26 October 2026 · Sources listed at the end of the page

Structure

Y-Aib-EGTFTSDYSI-Aib-LDKIAQ-K*-AFVQWLIAGGPSSGAPPPS-NH₂

Built on the GIP hormone sequence with changes so it also activates the GLP-1 receptor. Two Aib residues resist enzyme breakdown, and a C20 fatty diacid on lysine 20 (K*) gives a long half-life.

Evidence at a glance

Where the published research on Tirzepatide comes from, by type of study.

Many studies

Cell studies

Dual receptor signalling and biased agonism at GIP and GLP-1 receptors.

Many studies

Animal studies

Body weight, fat metabolism and glucose control in rodents.

Large trials

Human studies

Large trials (SURPASS, SURMOUNT) led to approval as a prescription medicine.

Worth knowing. Evidence for the approved medicine does not transfer to research-grade powder. FDA warning letters in 2026 named sellers of research tirzepatide, often listed under code names.

Research areas

What laboratories have studied Tirzepatide for, and in which models. These are research questions, not proven uses.

Dual GIP and GLP-1 agonism

Receptor signalling assays

Activates both receptors, with a bias in GLP-1 receptor signalling.
Used to study how GIP adds to GLP-1 effects.

Fat and glucose metabolism

Rodent obesity models

Studied for effects on fat tissue, insulin sensitivity and lipid handling.

Clinical outcome research

Large clinical trials

Studied in sleep apnoea, heart failure and kidney outcomes in approved-drug trials.

Legal status

The approved prescription medicines and research-grade powder are legally different products. Only the licensed medicines may be supplied for human use.

United States Approved (Rx)

Approved by FDA as Mounjaro and Zepbound, by prescription only. Research-grade tirzepatide is not the approved product, and FDA warned sellers of it in 2026.

United Kingdom Approved (Rx)

Licensed by MHRA as Mounjaro, prescription only. Unlicensed products sold for human use are illegal medicines.

European Union Approved (Rx)

Authorised by the EMA as Mounjaro. Research-grade material is not covered by that authorisation.

Sport Permitted

Not on the WADA Prohibited List for 2026; WADA confirmed GLP-1 receptor agonists remain permitted on the 2027 list.

Licensed medicines

For people, the only legal route is a licensed medicine prescribed by a clinician. These are the approved products that contain Tirzepatide.

MounjaroType 2 diabetes; weight management in the UK and EU

ZepboundWeight management and obstructive sleep apnoea (US)

Lab handling

General good practice for research materials. Follow the supplier's datasheet where it differs.

Storage

Keep the sealed material at −20 °C, dry and away from light. Let the vial reach room temperature before opening to stop condensation.

Solubility

Research grade is usually soluble in sterile water or dilute buffer. Add solvent down the vial wall and swirl gently rather than shaking.

Aliquots

Split solutions into single-use aliquots, label with lot number and date, and freeze. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Work out your stock solution

Stock concentration, molarity and dilutions for Tirzepatide, using MW 4813.45 g/mol.

Open the lab calculator

Before you buy for your lab

Tick each check as you confirm it with the supplier. Do not order until all six are done.

Batch-specific COAThe certificate shows the lot number printed on the vial.
Named third-party labThe testing lab is named and can confirm the report on its own site.
Identity and purityHPLC purity and mass-spec identity both reported, with the measured mass close to 4813.45.
No human-use marketingNo doses, injection guides, before-and-after claims or syringe kits on the site.
No FDA warning letterSearch the supplier's name on the FDA warning letters page.
Research buyer confirmationThe supplier asks you to confirm research or institutional use.

0 of 6

RecommendedPasses all six checks and sells no GLP-1 research compounds.

CautionResearch-only marketing and COAs, but sells GLP-1 or other closely watched compounds.

AvoidDosing or human-use claims, or an FDA warning letter. Never linked.

Supplier comparison for Tirzepatide is in progress. Every supplier of research-grade Tirzepatide carries at least a Caution label, because regulators focus on this class. Labels follow our editorial policy. Until listings go live, run any supplier through the vendor check. All products from any supplier are for laboratory research use only.

Questions researchers ask

What is Tirzepatide?

What is the molecular weight of Tirzepatide?

About 4813.45 g/mol. Use the figure on your batch certificate of analysis.

Is research-grade Tirzepatide the same as Mounjaro?

No. Mounjaro is a licensed medicine made under regulated manufacturing. Research-grade Tirzepatide sold online is a different, unchecked product for laboratory use only, and selling it for human use is illegal.

Is Tirzepatide approved for human use?

No. Approved by FDA as Mounjaro and Zepbound, by prescription only. Research-grade tirzepatide is not the approved product, and FDA warned sellers of it in 2026.

How should Tirzepatide be stored in the lab?

Keep the sealed material cold, dry and away from light, typically at −20 °C. Once in solution, split it into single-use aliquots and freeze to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Does this page give doses?

No. We publish laboratory and educational information only, never doses, injection guidance or treatment advice.

Sources

For research and educational purposes only. Tirzepatide is not approved for human or veterinary use. Some links on this site are affiliate links. · Disclosure · Disclaimer · Editorial policy · Contact · Privacy policy · © 2026 Peptides in Lab