Tirzepatide vs Follistatin
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a first-in-class dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. FDA-approved as Mounjaro (diabetes) and Zepbound (weight loss), it has shown superior weight loss results compared to semaglutide in clinical trials.
Full details →Follistatin
Follistatin is a glycoprotein that inhibits myostatin, the protein responsible for limiting muscle growth. By blocking myostatin, follistatin can theoretically allow for increased muscle development beyond natural limits.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Tirzepatide | Follistatin |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Activates both GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 receptors, providing synergistic effects on insulin secretion, appetite suppression, and metabolic regulation. The dual mechanism may explain its enhanced efficacy. | Binds to and neutralizes myostatin and activin, both of which are negative regulators of muscle mass. This removes the natural brake on muscle growth, allowing for enhanced hypertrophy. |
| Typical Dosage | Start at 2.5mg weekly, titrate every 4 weeks through 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 12.5mg, to maximum 15mg weekly. Full titration takes approximately 20 weeks. | Research protocols typically use 100-300mcg daily, though optimal dosing is not well established. Gene therapy approaches have also been studied. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection once weekly. Rotate injection sites. Slower titration may help reduce GI side effects. | Subcutaneous injection. Different isoforms exist (FS344, FS315) with varying properties. Requires careful sourcing due to complexity. |
| Side Effects | Similar to semaglutide: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, decreased appetite. Generally improve with continued use. | Limited human data. Theoretical concerns about effects on other organs where activin signaling is important. |
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