ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 26th June. Click Here for more information.
Source- This post on ‘Tirzepatide Weight loss Drug- Working and Side Effects’ has been created based on the article “India could soon allow ‘game-changing’ weight-loss drug tirzepatide: How it works, its side effects” published in “The Indian Express” on 15th July 2024.
Why in News?
With the development of various weight loss drugs emerging as a game changer for obesity treatment in recent years, the demands for commercial availability of these drugs have been increasing in India. An expert committee of India’s drug regulator has given its approval for the launch of tirzepatide– a weight loss drug.
Genesis of the weight loss drugs
The US FDA approved a drug- containing semaglutid– as an active ingredient to treat type 2 diabetes. The US doctors observed an interesting side-effect of the drug- weight loss. This made the pharmaceutical companies explore semaglutide as a weight loss drug for people without diabetes. These drugs led to significant weight loss and are in soaring demands.
Other pharma giants used tirzepatide as the active ingredient in these drugs. These drugs also led to signigificant weight losses and are in extreme demand worldwide.
About Tirzepatide and semaglutide
| Aspect | Description |
| About | Semaglutide and tirzepatide are polypeptides. These are small proteins that boost the levels of naturally-occurring hormones in the body. These specifically boost the level of glucagon-like-peptide 1 (GLP-1), which control weight through the brain and digestive tract. |
| Functioning | a. These polypeptides lead to higher GLP-1 levels. These GLP-1 when released in the gut, spark a reaction by stimulating neurons that alter gut function, leading to a sense of fullness/satiety without having eating a lot. b. These also help to manage glucose levels, making them an effective treatment for diabetes. c. While semaglutide only targets GLP-1 receptors, tirzepatide boosts a second hormone- glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). The GIP also regulates weight through receptors in brain and fat cells. |
| Prescribed For | These drugs can be prescribed to those who are a. Obese (with a body mass index of over 30), or overweight (with a BMI between 27 and 30) b. Have at least one other health condition related to their weight (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes). |
| Side Effects | The side effects include a. Nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion, injection-site reactions, fatigue, allergic reactions, belching, hair loss, and heartburn. b. Risk of thyroid tumours, including thyroid cancer. c. Risks of weight gain back if drug is stopped |
UPSC Syllabus- Science and Technology (Health)
