Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors

What your provider watches for

These are the established risks of tirzepatide therapy. Your provider weighs each one against your health history before approving treatment — and monitors for them while you’re on it.

• Pancreatitis. Inflammation of the pancreas has occurred. Stop use and contact your provider immediately if you have severe pain in your stomach area that will not go away, with or without vomiting — the pain may spread to your back.
• Gallbladder problems. Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation have occurred, including with rapid weight loss. Watch for pain in your upper stomach, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or clay-colored stools.
• Low blood sugar. The risk is higher if you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea. Symptoms include shakiness, sweating, dizziness, fast heartbeat, confusion, and blurred vision. Your provider may adjust your other medications.
• Kidney injury from dehydration. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea can cause fluid loss that strains the kidneys — especially if you have kidney problems already. Stay well hydrated, and contact your provider if you cannot keep fluids down.
• Serious allergic reactions. Anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported. Get emergency help — call 911 — for swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, severe rash, or fainting.
• Vision changes with diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes and a history of diabetic retinopathy, rapid improvement in blood sugar can temporarily worsen it. Report any vision changes to your provider.
• Mood changes. Tell your provider about any history of depression or suicidal thoughts before starting, and report new or worsening mood symptoms right away. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 or seek emergency care.
• Surgery and anesthesia. Because tirzepatide slows stomach emptying, tell every healthcare professional treating you — including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and dentists — that you take it before any procedure involving anesthesia or deep sedation.

Medications that interact

Tell your provider about every medication and supplement you take — prescription and over-the-counter. A few interactions matter in particular.

• Insulin and sulfonylureas. Taking tirzepatide with these raises the risk of low blood sugar. Your provider may lower those doses when you start.
• Oral birth control pills. Tirzepatide slows stomach emptying, which can make oral hormonal contraceptives less effective. Switch to a non-oral method, or add a barrier method, for 4 weeks after starting and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.
• Other oral medications. Slowed stomach emptying can change how some oral medications are absorbed — especially those needing precise timing or levels. Ask your provider whether any of yours are affected.
• Alcohol. Can worsen nausea and, in people on blood-sugar medications, raise the risk of hypoglycemia. Use caution and discuss with your provider.

If something doesn’t feel right

You are never on your own with this medication. For emergencies, call 911. For urgent but non-emergency concerns, contact the provider overseeing your care through the platform. And for anything else, we’re at [email protected].

• Medical emergency — call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
• Treatment questions or side effects — message the provider overseeing your care through the ILSA platform.
• Report side effects to the FDA — you can report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or fda.gov/medwatch.
• Platform support — email [email protected] or call 754 227 9 227.

Compounded medication disclosure: if approved, prescriptions are dispensed by U.S.-based 503A compounding pharmacies that are registered with the FDA and operate in compliance with United States Pharmacopeia standards. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and have not undergone FDA evaluation for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing consistency. ILSA Health does not manufacture, compound, or directly dispense medications. ILSA is a telehealth platform that connects individuals with independent licensed providers and licensed U.S.-based pharmacies; it does not itself practice medicine or prescribe. Individual responses to treatment vary and no specific results are guaranteed. This page is educational only and is not medical advice.