| Attribute | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
|---|---|---|
| Receptor target | GIP + GLP-1 (dual agonist) | GLP-1 only (single agonist) |
| CAS Number | 2023788-19-2 | 910463-68-2 |
| Molecular Weight | 4,813.45 g/mol | 4,113.58 g/mol |
| Class | Dual incretin agonist | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Research focus | Combined GIP+GLP-1 incretin signaling | GLP-1 incretin signaling |
The core difference. Tirzepatide is a dual agonist activating both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors, while Semaglutide selectively agonizes the GLP-1 receptor. Research models use the pair to isolate the contribution of GIP-receptor co-activation to metabolic endpoints.
Why they are compared. Because they share the GLP-1 pathway but differ on GIP, they are the standard comparison for studying single- versus dual-incretin mechanisms in metabolic research.
View both compounds
Full mechanism, specifications, and certificates of analysis for each compound.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Tirzepatide and Semaglutide?
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist; Semaglutide is a single GLP-1 receptor agonist. The added GIP-receptor activity is the key research distinction. Both are Research Use Only.
Is Tirzepatide stronger than Semaglutide?
Research framing only: Tirzepatide engages an additional receptor (GIP) beyond GLP-1, which is the focus of comparative metabolic studies. Ethos Bio makes no efficacy or human-use claims.