Tirzepatide and semaglutide are medications used for type 2 diabetes that can also assist with weight loss. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine compared the effectiveness of these medications in individuals with obesity or overweight. The researchers found that tirzepatide was more effective at helping participants lose weight compared to semaglutide. This study provides important data for understanding the potential benefits of these weight loss medications and may contribute to future clinical guidelines.
The research included 18,386 participants with obesity or overweight who were new users of tirzepatide or semaglutide. The researchers collected data on changes in body weight over three months, six months, and one year. They found that tirzepatide was more effective, with 82% of participants achieving a 5% or greater weight loss compared to 66.5% of participants taking semaglutide. Participants taking tirzepatide were also more likely to experience 10% and 15% weight loss compared to those taking semaglutide, regardless of whether they had type 2 diabetes.
While tirzepatide was found to be more effective than semaglutide, both medications resulted in substantial weight loss, with no significant difference in gastrointestinal adverse events between the two groups. However, there were limitations to the study, including a lack of diversity among participants and potential biases due to unmeasured variables, drug shortages, and under-reported adverse events. Additionally, over half of the participants discontinued the medications, with slightly more participants taking tirzepatide discontinuing compared to semaglutide.
Future research can explore differences in weight loss outcomes between participants with and without type 2 diabetes, as well as factors influencing medication discontinuation and switching. There is ongoing research on medications labeled for type 2 diabetes and their effectiveness for weight loss, with potential for increased understanding of their long-term effects on other conditions, access barriers, and prescribing trends. Challenges remain, such as differences in coverage, costs, and receptor mechanisms between medications like tirzepatide and semaglutide.
Individuals with obesity or overweight can benefit from weight management strategies, including physical activity, dietary changes, and potential medications like tirzepatide and semaglutide. Consulting with healthcare professionals, such as primary care doctors and bariatric surgeons, can provide guidance on the appropriateness of weight loss medications and help determine insurance coverage. Overall, maintaining a healthy weight is essential for overall health and reducing the risk of various chronic conditions associated with obesity.
