Ozempic is widely recognized for its use in managing type 2 diabetes, but has also become a well-known name in the weight-loss drug arena. However, tirzepatide is an active ingredient in medications that compete with Ozempic, which contains semaglutide. Eli Lilly manufactures drugs containing tirzepatide, such as Mounjaro and Zepbound. Recent trials show that tirzepatide has led to patients losing up to 23% of their body weight, making it a strong competitor to Ozempic.
Promising Results from the SURMOUNT-1 Study
On August 20, Eli Lilly released results from the SURMOUNT-1 study, a three-year trial evaluating the impact of tirzepatide. Like Ozempic, tirzepatide targets the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor to help control appetite and calorie intake. Additionally, tirzepatide also influences the gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), which affects food intake and boosts insulin secretion.
The study involved 1032 overweight or obese adults, assessing the drug’s effectiveness in long-term weight management and delaying diabetes progression. Participants received tirzepatide in doses of 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg for 176 weeks, followed by a 17-week period without the medication.
The results were striking. Those on the highest 15 mg dose lost an average of 22.9% of their body weight, while those on a placebo lost just 2.1%.
More Insights
Jeff Emmick, Eli Lilly’s senior vice president of product development, emphasized the drug’s potential benefits: “Tirzepatide reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 94% and resulted in sustained weight loss over three years. These results highlight the potential advantages of long-term therapy for individuals with obesity and pre-diabetes.”
While the 15 mg dose of tirzepatide led to the most weight loss, participants gained some weight back and saw an increase in diabetes progression during the 17 weeks they were off the medication. Most reported side effects were gastrointestinal, including diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and vomiting.
The complete study results will be published in a scientific journal and presented at the ObesityWeek 2024 conference in early November.
Source: Best Life Online
