Irrespective of initial body weight, Zepbound aids individuals struggling with obesity in shedding excess pounds efficiently.
According to two distinct analyses of a significant trial sponsored by Eli Lilly, the blockbuster weight-loss drug Zepbound (tirzepatide) demonstrates effectiveness in promoting rapid weight loss, regardless of the severity or duration of obesity.
Dr. Louis Aronne, co-lead author of the study and Director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, revealed these findings ahead of the European Congress on Obesity, scheduled for May in Venice, Italy.
The study involved a large cohort of overweight or obese individuals, with or without a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. After a rigorous three-month lifestyle intervention focusing on diet and exercise, participants were randomly assigned to receive either Zepbound or a placebo injection for 18 months.
Results showed that Zepbound significantly outperformed the placebo in terms of weight loss, irrespective of the participants’ initial body mass index (BMI).
Notably, a vast majority of patients receiving Zepbound experienced substantial weight loss, with nearly 85% achieving a 15% reduction from their baseline weight, compared to less than 10% in the placebo group.
While individuals with type 2 diabetes exhibited slightly less weight loss with Zepbound compared to those without the condition, further analysis is needed to understand this discrepancy fully.
Additionally, subgroup analysis based on the duration of obesity revealed consistent weight loss benefits with Zepbound across all categories, emphasizing its efficacy in individuals with longstanding obesity.
Tirzepatide, initially approved by the FDA in 2022 for treating type 2 diabetes as Mounjaro, received FDA approval as Zepbound for weight loss last year. As these findings are presented at a medical conference, they await publication in a peer-reviewed journal for further validation.
