Is It Better To Inject Tirzepatide In The Stomach Or Thigh?

Tirzepatide—also known by the generic name tirzepatide—is a second generation glucagon-like peptide 1 medication. Like other GLP-1 medications including Ozempic and Wegovy, tirzepatide mimics a particular hormone related to insulin secretion and appetite. However, Tirzepatide also mimics another hormone called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide. This makes a tirzepatide a “dual receptor” and arguably more effective than single receptor medications.

With that said, patients may find they prefer one or another. For some, semaglutide weight loss can cause too many side effects and they may feel more comfortable on tirzepatide. However, only semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) is currently FDA-approved for chronic weight management. Regardless, the medications are both administered in the same way—through subcutaneous injections. (Ozempic does have a pill form available). 

Since the injections are usually self-administered, patients often want to optimize their injections to see the best possible results. Some questions include: “Does injecting it into a particular area promote more weight loss in that area?” and “Is one area better to inject Tirzepatide into?” We’ll look at these questions and more below.

Injection Sites & Instructions

Tirzepatide—along with semaglutide weight loss medications—has three primary injection sites:

• Upper Arm: Similar to several other injections you have gotten, patients can inject tirzepatide into the fleshy part of their upper arm. Unlike vaccines which generally inject into the muscle, tirzepatide injections aim only to reach into the fatty tissue. Therefore, the back of the arm or lower portion of the upper arm is better than directly into the arm like a vaccine.

• Stomach: The stomach is a great place to inject medications like tirzepatide because it would be extremely difficult to reach any structures beyond where you want to inject the medication: underneath the skin and in the fatty tissue. Patients should inject on either side of the stomach at least two inches from the belly button.

• Thigh: Like the stomach, the thigh is a perfect place to inject semaglutide weight loss medications and tirzepatide. The exact part of the thigh may vary, but most areas of the thighs are amenable to subcutaneous injections.

To inject Tirzepatide, patients should ensure they are injecting at least one centimeter away from the last injection site. The injections could come in the form of a pen or as traditional syringes. Either way, the needle is short and does not go far beneath the skin.

Benefits Of Rotating Tirzepatide Injection Sites

Patients will not inject Tirzepatide into the same area every week. All similar medications are rotated between these three sites. There are several reasons this is done. Some of the benefits of rotating your weekly injections between the upper arm, stomach, and thigh include:

• Prevents repeated skin irritation
• Reduces chances of infection by allowing sites to fully heal
• Promotes optimal absorption of the medication
• Avoids the development of fatty lumps at injection sites
• Reduces chances of scarring

What Injection Site Is Best?

There is not one injection site better than the others. The exceptions are if there are active injuries, major scarring, or another reason a doctor determines a site cannot be used for Tirzepatide injections. In these cases, there are alternative Tirzepatide injection sites such as the buttocks. 

Conclusion

Tirzepatide Seattle offers patients a new and highly effective way to manage their weight. Losing even a small amount of weight can often benefit a person’s physical and mental health. Schedule your non-surgical weight loss consultation at Allure Esthetic today. Call us at 206-209-0988. Patients can also schedule online through chat, emailing contactus@allureesthetic.com, contact form, or Price Simulator.