Head-to-head study compares effectiveness of weight loss drugs

A recent head-to-head clinical study compares the effectiveness of popular weight loss drugs, offering valuable insights into which treatments deliver the best results. The trial directly evaluates how these medications perform against each other in reducing body weight, helping patients and healthcare providers make more informed decisions. By analyzing factors such as weight reduction, side effects, and overall health impact, the study aims to guide future obesity treatments and improve outcomes for individuals struggling with weight management.

Tirzepatide, marketed as Zepbound, led to more significant weight loss among individuals with obesity compared to semaglutide, known as Wegovy, in a clinical study assessing the safety and effectiveness of these injectable medications.

Over the course of 72 weeks, a study led by a Weill Cornell Medicine investigator and conducted in collaboration with several academic institutions found that participants on tirzepatide lost approximately 50 pounds (20.2% of body weight), whereas those on semaglutide lost around 33 pounds (13.7%).

The phase 3b SURMOUNT-5 trial, published on May 11 in the New England Journal of Medicine, revealed that those taking tirzepatide at its highest dose achieved greater reductions in both weight and waist size than those on semaglutide, when both were administered at maximum dosages.

These findings were somewhat expected, according to Dr. Louis Aronne, the lead investigator, who noted that the outcomes mirrored previous trials where the two drugs were evaluated separately. In earlier studies, tirzepatide showed a 20.9% weight reduction over 72 weeks, while semaglutide led to a 14.9% reduction in 68 weeks.

What sets this study apart is its direct comparison of the two drugs in a controlled environment involving 751 participants with obesity but no type 2 diabetes. Dr. Aronne emphasized that such comparative research helps physicians, insurers, and patients better understand drug effectiveness.

However, the trial wasn’t blinded, meaning participants were aware of which drug they received due to the labeled self-injection devices, a factor that could introduce bias.

Sponsored by Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of tirzepatide, the study spanned 32 locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. All participants were given guidance on diet and physical activity, and both drugs showed similar side effect profiles, with 44% reporting nausea and 25% abdominal discomfort.

A higher proportion of tirzepatide users, about 32%, achieved a 25% or greater reduction in body weight, compared to 16% of semaglutide users. This may be due to tirzepatide’s dual-action approach, which targets both GLP-1 and GIP hormones, influencing appetite control, blood sugar levels, and fat metabolism.

Dr. Aronne explained that weight regulation involves many complex pathways, and using medications that affect multiple mechanisms could enhance weight loss outcomes. Research is ongoing to explore whether tirzepatide also reduces the risk of heart disease, similar to semaglutide, which has already shown cardiovascular benefits.

Currently, Dr. Aronne’s team is evaluating next-generation weight-loss drugs like retatrutide, also developed by Eli Lilly, which acts on three hormonal pathways (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon) and may provide even broader benefits for patients.

Despite the effectiveness of current treatments, Dr. Aronne highlighted that some individuals don’t respond, driving the need to continue developing more advanced solutions.

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Source: WPN‍