A recent review of research has shown that a new diabetes drug delivers greater weight loss and improved blood sugar control compared to its popular competitor, semaglutide, commonly known as Ozempic.
The new drug, Tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro by Eli Lilly, has received approval for treating type 2 diabetes in the United States, Europe, and the UK. Eli Lilly is now seeking authorization in the US for its use in treating obesity, putting it in direct competition with Danish company Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide, known as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss.
Semaglutide gained significant attention on social media earlier this year due to its effectiveness in promoting weight loss, resulting in high demand and occasional supply shortages. Concerns were also raised that individuals without diabetes or obesity were using it for weight management.
New research, presented at a conference in Germany and not yet peer-reviewed, suggests that Eli Lilly’s Tirzepatide may be even more effective.
Greek researchers conducted a meta-analysis of data from 22 randomized controlled trials that separately investigated the two drugs. Both drugs are administered once a week via injection.
The combined data, which involved nearly 18,500 patients with type 2 diabetes, compared three different doses of each drug over a minimum 12-week period.
Thomas Karagiannis, the lead author from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, revealed that for the highest doses, “Tirzepatide resulted in an average weight loss that was 5.7 kilograms (12.5 pounds) greater than semaglutide.” Additionally, it led to a two percent reduction in blood sugar levels compared to the highest semaglutide dose.
However, Karagiannis noted that the highest Tirzepatide dose was associated with an increase in gastrointestinal adverse events.
The research is scheduled to be presented next month at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Germany.
Duane Mellor, an expert in evidence-based medicine from the UK’s Aston University, who was not involved in the research, emphasized that the study has not yet undergone full peer review and recommended analyzing data from studies directly comparing the two drugs.
Given the previous shortages of these drugs, Mellor stressed the importance of ensuring that both are “prioritized for those with the most significant need,” such as individuals with type 2 diabetes.
A previous study found that the highest dose of Tirzepatide resulted in an average loss of 15 percent of body weight over 72 weeks. However, similar to Ozempic, weight may return if individuals discontinue the medication.
Both drugs work by mimicking the gastrointestinal hormone GLP-1, which activates brain receptors involved in appetite regulation. However, Tirzepatide uniquely targets the hormone GIP, stimulating insulin release.
Sales of Mounjaro approached $1 billion in the second quarter of this year alone.
