PHARMACOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL ASPECTS OF TIRZEPATIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF OBESITY: A NARRATIVE REVIEW ON ITS MECHANISM OF ACTION AND THE PHARMACIST'S ROLE IN THE SAFE USE OF THE MEDICATION

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic and multifactorial condition considered one of the major public health challenges of the present time. Due to its high prevalence and the limitations of conventional therapies, new pharmacological agents have been investigated for its management. In this context, tirzepatide, the active ingredient of the drug Mounjaro®, stands out as a therapeutic innovation by acting dually on the receptors of Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP) and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), providing significant improvement in glycemic control and substantial reduction in body weight. This study aimed to review the pharmacological and clinical aspects of tirzepatide in the treatment of obesity, addressing its mechanism of action, therapeutic efficacy, and safety, as well as emphasizing the pharmacist’s role in promoting the rational use of this medication. It is a narrative literature review based on publications from 2018 to 2025 indexed in PubMed, SciELO, and ScienceDirect databases. The evidence indicates that tirzepatide shows promising results in weight reduction and metabolic improvement. It is concluded that the pharmacist’s role is essential to ensure therapeutic safety, prevent risks, and promote conscious adherence to treatment.