JCEM case reportsSep 18, 2026

Repeated eyelid bumps linked to tirzepatide treatment: a case series

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Sep 19, 2026

Abstract

Two patients developed 6 simultaneous internal hordeola after starting tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist.

In one case, symptoms appeared 4 weeks after dose escalation, with lesions improving after discontinuation of tirzepatide.
A rechallenge of tirzepatide led to a recurrence of symptoms, indicating a potential causal relationship.
The second patient experienced symptoms 10 weeks after starting tirzepatide, with similar progression to hordeola and chalazia.
Both patients showed no signs of infectious blepharitis, suggesting an obstructive issue rather than an infection.
These findings indicate a possible association between tirzepatide and meibomian gland obstruction, which may be previously unrecognized.

Simplified

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists are increasingly prescribed for obesity and type 2 diabetes, but eyelid gland pathology has not previously been reported with these agents. We describe what we believe to be the first reported case series of 2 patients who developed multiple simultaneous internal hordeola after starting tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist. Patient 1, a 44-year-old woman, developed 6 simultaneous hordeola 4 weeks after dose escalation, 5 of which progressed to chalazia; lesions lessened after tirzepatide discontinuation and worsened upon rechallenge, a positive rechallenge providing strong evidence of causality. Patient 2, a 73-year-old woman with mild pre-existing blepharitis, developed 6 simultaneous hordeola 10 weeks after initiation of her 5 mg dose, 2 of which progressed to chalazia. Both patients lacked classic infectious blepharitis signs despite active lesions, supporting a sterile, obstructive meibomian gland process rather than infection, though both found the recurrences bothersome. These cases suggest a possible, previously undescribed association between tirzepatide and simultaneous or recurrent meibomian gland obstruction. Clinicians should be aware of this potential adverse eyelid effect and pursue conservative ophthalmic management before considering medication changes.

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

View Full Text ↗

Repeated eyelid bumps linked to tirzepatide treatment: a case series

Abstract

Full Text

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

What Lands in Your Inbox Each Week:

Recent issues from the glp-1 therapies brief

Abstract

Full Text

Related papers

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

What Lands in Your Inbox Each Week:

Recent issues from the glp-1 therapies brief