Patient Education for Tirzepatide

Core Educational Components

The American Diabetes Association recommends teaching proper subcutaneous injection technique at initiation, as this is critically important for any patient using injectable therapy 1, 2
The American Diabetes Association recommends instructing patients on self-monitoring of blood glucose, particularly if using tirzepatide with insulin or insulin secretagogues where hypoglycemia risk increases 1, 2
Patients should be educated on appropriate monitoring frequency based on concurrent medications and glycemic control, with a strength of evidence level of expert opinion 3
The American College of Physicians recommends teaching patients to increase monitoring during illness or if symptoms of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia develop, with a moderate level of evidence 3
The American Diabetes Association recommends emphasizing that hypoglycemia risk increases when tirzepatide is combined with insulin or sulfonylureas, with a high level of evidence 1, 2

The American College of Physicians recommends teaching the 15-15 rule: administer 15-20g of rapid-acting glucose and recheck blood glucose after 15 minutes, with a high level of evidence 3
Patients should be instructed on situations that increase hypoglycemia risk: fasting for procedures, during or after exercise, and during sleep, with a moderate level of evidence 4

The American Heart Association recommends encouraging patients to maintain lifestyle modifications including physical activity and dietary changes, with a strong level of evidence 4
The American Diabetes Association recommends explaining that the medication works synergistically with lifestyle interventions to achieve optimal outcomes, with a high level of evidence 1

The American College of Physicians recommends educating patients on reporting any severe or frequent hypoglycemia, which is an absolute indication for treatment modification, with a high level of evidence 3, 4

The American Diabetes Association recommends not presenting insulin as a threat or failure if additional therapy becomes needed; explain the progressive nature of type 2 diabetes objectively, with a moderate level of evidence 1, 2, 5
The American Diabetes Association recommends avoiding delaying dose titration when appropriate, as timely adjustment optimizes outcomes, with a high level of evidence 1
The American College of Physicians recommends ensuring patients understand the importance of continued self-monitoring even when glycemic control improves, with a moderate level of evidence 3