Tirzepatide and mazdutide are both dual agonists built on GLP-1, but they pair it with a different second receptor. Tirzepatide adds GIP; mazdutide adds glucagon. The other key difference is maturity — tirzepatide is FDA-approved with completed phase 3 trials, while mazdutide is investigational (with prominent development in China).
At a glance
| Tirzepatide | Mazdutide | |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | GIP + GLP-1 dual agonist | GLP-1 + glucagon dual agonist |
| Brand names | Mounjaro, Zepbound | None (investigational) |
| FDA status | Approved | Investigational |
| Second receptor | GIP | Glucagon |
| Possible edge of the 2nd receptor | Enhances incretin effect | May raise energy expenditure |
| Evidence maturity | Completed phase 3 | Earlier-stage (notably in China) |
The bottom line
Bottom line: Both are dual agonists, but tirzepatide's second target is GIP (a fellow incretin) while mazdutide's is glucagon (which may boost energy expenditure). Tirzepatide is a finished, approved product with deep data; mazdutide is a promising candidate still in development. A proven medicine and an investigational one aren't interchangeable.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between tirzepatide and mazdutide?
Both pair GLP-1 with a second receptor, but tirzepatide adds GIP while mazdutide adds glucagon. Tirzepatide is FDA-approved; mazdutide is investigational, with prominent development in China.
Is mazdutide approved?
No. Mazdutide is an investigational GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist in clinical development. Tirzepatide is approved and available by prescription.
Why does mazdutide target glucagon?
Glucagon receptor activity may increase energy expenditure in addition to the appetite and glucose effects of GLP-1, which is the rationale behind glucagon-containing dual and triple agonists.
References
Combined peer-reviewed sources from both peptide guides. Inclusion is not endorsement.
- Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-1). N Engl J Med. 2022. Peer-reviewed study
- Frias JP, Davies MJ, Rosenstock J, et al. Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (SURPASS-2). N Engl J Med. 2021. Peer-reviewed study
- Jastreboff AM, le Roux CW, Stefanski A, et al. Tirzepatide for Obesity Treatment and Diabetes Prevention. N Engl J Med. 2025. Peer-reviewed study
- Garvey WT, Frias JP, Jastreboff AM, et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity in people with type 2 diabetes (SURMOUNT-2): a double-blind, randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2023. Peer-reviewed study
- Zhao L, Cheng Z, Lu Y, et al. Tirzepatide for Weight Reduction in Chinese Adults With Obesity: The SURMOUNT-CN Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2024. Peer-reviewed study
- Loomba R, Hartman ML, Lawitz EJ, et al. Tirzepatide for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis with Liver Fibrosis. N Engl J Med. 2024. Peer-reviewed study
- Ji L, Gao L, Jiang H, et al. Safety and efficacy of the GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist mazdutide (IBI362) in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity: a phase 1b trial. eClinicalMedicine. 2022. Peer-reviewed study
- Ji L, Jiang H, Cheng Z, et al. A phase 2 randomised controlled trial of mazdutide in Chinese overweight adults or adults with obesity. Nat Commun. 2023. Peer-reviewed study
- Ji L, Jiang H, Bi Y, et al. Once-Weekly Mazdutide in Chinese Adults with Obesity or Overweight. N Engl J Med. 2025. Peer-reviewed study
- Zhu D, Zhao J, Cai H, et al. Mazdutide versus placebo in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes. Nature. 2026. Peer-reviewed study
- Zhang B, Cheng Z, Chen J, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Mazdutide in Chinese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 2 Trial. Diabetes Care. 2024. Peer-reviewed study
- Shirley M. Mazdutide: First Approval. Drugs. 2025. Peer-reviewed study