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Tirzepatide

Other names: Mounjaro, Zepbound

The FAA's guidance for tirzepatide depends on what it is taken for. Each use is below, with its own FAA source and date.

Taken for type 2 diabetes

tirzepatide for diabetes

FAA guidance

Special issuance required.

Wait

30 days

when starting new diabetes therapy

Different waits apply in other cases.

Source: FAA, Acceptable Combinations of Diabetes Medications. FAA date 30 September 2026. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

When tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is prescribed for diabetes, the FAA lists it in Group D of its diabetes chart with a 30-day observation when starting new diabetes therapy and 14 days when added to an established treatment regimen, not allowed with meglitinides; the initial certification decision is made by the FAA and the examiner must defer.

Track your medications
Compare FAA documents: tirzepatide for diabetesWhat each of the three FAA documents says, in plain wordsOpen

Wait

  • 14 days when added to an established treatment regimen

Tirzepatide for weight loss (Zepbound) is listed separately.

The FAA's diabetes disposition table says that for diabetes treated with one or more non-insulin diabetic medications the examiner should defer and submit the information to the FAA, and that the initial special issuance requires an FAA decision.

The FAA's AME Assisted Special Issuance page for type II diabetes controlled by medication says that, once the FAA has granted the Authorization, examiners may re-issue a medical certificate under it, provided the applicant does not require insulin, remains on an acceptable oral medication therapy according to the chart of acceptable combinations, and provides the documents it lists. The chart allows only one medication from each group (A to G), and Group D holds the GLP-1 mimetics, tirzepatide (GLP-1 / GIP) and the DPP-4 inhibitors. Under medication adjustment, when the dose or formulation is changed or a different drug within the same class is started, the chart lists a 48-hour observation within Groups B to G.

  • 30 days after starting: ground observation

FAA rule for diabetes medication: The FAA makes the initial certification decision and the examiner must defer; combinations of up to three non-insulin medications, only one from each group, are considered acceptable, with an observation period when starting one. Each component in a combination medication is counted separately (for example, rosiglitazone + metformin counts as 2 medications), 4 or more medications may be considered on a case-by-case basis, and for unlisted medications the chart says to consult AMCD or RFS. Under medication adjustment, the chart lists 48 hours within Groups B to G, 7 days within Group A2, 7 days within Group A1 if a new type of insulin is added (with a note that no time is needed for a minor dose change within the same drug class), and 7 days if transitioning between insulin injection to or from a pump, or for new insulin/CGM devices. The FAA's diabetes disposition table says that for diabetes treated with one or more non-insulin diabetic medications the examiner should defer and submit the information to the FAA, and that the initial special issuance requires an FAA decision. The FAA's AME Assisted Special Issuance page for type II diabetes controlled by medication says that, once the FAA has granted the Authorization, examiners may re-issue a medical certificate under it, provided the applicant does not require insulin, remains on an acceptable oral medication therapy according to the chart of acceptable combinations, and provides the documents it lists. For insulin, the chart says to see Medical Certification Using Insulin, and for starting or adding insulin it gives separate lines for third-class pilots or agency ATCS and for first- or second-class pilots, who must use the CGM protocol; insulin has its own entry, which asks for the class of medical. FAA, Acceptable Combinations of Diabetes Medications

Show the FAA's words: tirzepatide for diabetesThe official FAA wording: five passages, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, Acceptable Combinations of Diabetes Medications · FAA date 30 September 2026
Initial Certification/Clearance decision is made by the FAA. The AME must defer.
When initiating NEW diabetes therapy (monotherapy or combination medications):
Group C - G, 30 days.
D
GLP-1 / GIP: tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
Meglitinides not allowed with Group D
When ADDING a new medication to an ESTABLISHED TREATMENT regimen:
on Group A - G + new Group B - G 14 days
FAA, Acceptable Combinations of Diabetes Medications · FAA date 30 September 2026
Only ONE Medication allowed from each group (A–G).
GLP1 mimetics
GLP-1 / GIP: tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
Group D not allowed with Meglitinides
FAA, Acceptable Combinations of Diabetes Medications · FAA date 30 September 2026
Medication Adjustment
When changing the dose, formulation (e.g., immediate vs. extended release), or switching to a different drug/device within the same class.
Adjusting Medication Observation Time
Within Group B-G 48 hours
FAA, Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners – AASI for Diabetes Mellitus Type II, Medication Controlled · FAA date 28 January 2026
Examiners may re-issue an airman medical certificate under the provisions of an Authorization, provided that the applicant does not require insulin, remains on an acceptable oral medication therapy according to the chart of Acceptable Combinations of Diabetes Medications
FAA, Diabetes Mellitus Disposition Table · FAA date 27 September 2023
B.
Treated with one or more (non-insulin) diabetic medications
DEFER
Submit the information to the FAA.
Initial Special Issuance – Requires FAA Decision
Follow up Special Issuances - See Diabetes Mellitus - Type II, Medication Controlled (Not Insulin)
Sources and dates: tirzepatide for diabetesThree FAA documents, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked themOpen

Taken for prediabetes

tirzepatide for prediabetes

FAA guidance

Acceptable with conditions.

Wait

One week after starting

Different waits apply in other cases.

Examiner

CACI: the examiner can issue when the condition's worksheet criteria are met. Applicants for first- or second-class must provide the worksheet's information annually; applicants for third-class with each required exam

Source: FAA, CACI – Prediabetes Worksheet. FAA date 26 August 2026. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

For prediabetes, the FAA's CACI – Prediabetes Worksheet lists tirzepatide (Zepbound) among the medications of which only one is used, and says the examiner should verify a one-week observation after starting the medication and a 48-hour observation with each dose increase, medication or formulation change.

More detail: tirzepatide for prediabetesThe rest of Crosscheck's reading, in plain wordsOpen

Wait

  • 48 hours after each dose increase, medication or formulation change

It says not to use the worksheet if the applicant has ever had an A1C of 6.5% or greater, and that diabetes in remission, diabetes treated with medication, or diabetes insipidus do not qualify. The worksheet applies with all its other criteria.

  • 7 days after starting: ground observation
  • 48 hours after a dose change: ground observation

FAA rule for diabetes medication: The FAA makes the initial certification decision and the examiner must defer; combinations of up to three non-insulin medications, only one from each group, are considered acceptable, with an observation period when starting one. Each component in a combination medication is counted separately (for example, rosiglitazone + metformin counts as 2 medications), 4 or more medications may be considered on a case-by-case basis, and for unlisted medications the chart says to consult AMCD or RFS. Under medication adjustment, the chart lists 48 hours within Groups B to G, 7 days within Group A2, 7 days within Group A1 if a new type of insulin is added (with a note that no time is needed for a minor dose change within the same drug class), and 7 days if transitioning between insulin injection to or from a pump, or for new insulin/CGM devices. The FAA's diabetes disposition table says that for diabetes treated with one or more non-insulin diabetic medications the examiner should defer and submit the information to the FAA, and that the initial special issuance requires an FAA decision. The FAA's AME Assisted Special Issuance page for type II diabetes controlled by medication says that, once the FAA has granted the Authorization, examiners may re-issue a medical certificate under it, provided the applicant does not require insulin, remains on an acceptable oral medication therapy according to the chart of acceptable combinations, and provides the documents it lists. For insulin, the chart says to see Medical Certification Using Insulin, and for starting or adding insulin it gives separate lines for third-class pilots or agency ATCS and for first- or second-class pilots, who must use the CGM protocol; insulin has its own entry, which asks for the class of medical. FAA, Acceptable Combinations of Diabetes Medications

Show the FAA's words: tirzepatide for prediabetesThe official FAA wording: one passage, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, CACI – Prediabetes Worksheet · FAA date 26 August 2026
If the applicant has EVER had an A1C OF 6.5% OR GREATER, DO NOT USE THIS CACI.
Medication is used for:
Note: Diabetes in remission (diet-controlled), diabetes treated with medication (including insulin), or diabetes insipidus DO NOT qualify for this CACI.
Prediabetes
ONLY ONE of the medications listed is used:
AME should verify one-week observation after starting medication. (See Pharmaceuticals, Weight Loss Medication.) 48-hour observation with each dose increase, medication or formulation change.
Indicate which one medication is used:
tirzepatide (Zepbound)
Sources and dates: tirzepatide for prediabetesOne FAA document, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked itOpen

Taken for weight loss

tirzepatide for weight loss

FAA guidance

Acceptable with conditions.

Wait

1 week

after starting

Different waits apply in other cases.

Examiner

CACI: the examiner can issue when the condition's worksheet criteria are met. Applicants for first- or second-class must provide the worksheet's information annually; applicants for third-class with each required exam

FAA label

ACCEPTABLE

Source: FAA, Weight Loss Medications. FAA date 26 August 2026. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

When tirzepatide (Zepbound) is taken for weight loss as the single diabetic medication component, the FAA lists it as acceptable when A1C is 6.4 or less, there is no diagnosis of diabetes and no history of hypoglycemia requiring intervention, with a one-week observation after starting and a 48-hour observation with each dose increase, medication or formulation change.

Compare FAA documents: tirzepatide for weight lossWhat each of the two FAA documents says, in plain wordsOpen

Wait

  • 48 hours after each dose increase, medication or formulation change

The FAA's CACI – Weight Loss Management worksheet, which the examiner uses for a single diabetic medication taken for weight loss, names it among the medications on which the examiner can issue when the applicant meets all its criteria, and says not to use that CACI if the applicant has ever had an A1C of 6.5% or greater.

  • 7 days after starting: ground observation
  • 48 hours after a dose change: ground observation
Show the FAA's words: tirzepatide for weight lossThe official FAA wording: two passages, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, Weight Loss Medications · FAA date 26 August 2026
DIABETIC MEDICATIONS USED FOR WEIGHT LOSS: A1C must be 6.4 or less with no diagnosis of diabetes AND No history of hypoglycemia requiring intervention.
If used for DIABETES, see www.faa.gov/go/diabetic
ACCEPTABLE Weight Loss Medications When certification criteria are met.
Treated with a single diabetic medication component: metformin, GLP-1 agonist: liraglutide, semaglutide (Wegovy) [injection or oral], tirzepatide (Zepbound) [GIP + GLP-1 Agonist].
One (1) week after starting for weight loss. 48-hour observation with each dose increase, medication, or formulation change.
FAA, CACI – Weight Loss Management Worksheet · FAA date 30 September 2026
If the applicant meets ALL the acceptable certification criteria listed below, the Examiner can issue.
If the applicant has EVER had an A1C OF 6.5% OR GREATER, DO NOT USE THIS CACI.
Sources and dates: tirzepatide for weight lossTwo FAA documents, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked themOpen

Taking it for something else? The entries here do not cover that use. The FAA may address it in the guidance for your condition. Ask your examiner.

See also

Medication guidance alone does not determine whether a pilot is medically qualified to fly. The underlying condition, dosage, side effects, medication combinations, and certification history may affect FAA eligibility.

For informational purposes only. Not legal or medical advice.