Semaglutide, the type 2 diabetes medication that’s become a sensation in the celebrity weight loss scene, known widely as Ozempic and Wegovy, might soon be overshadowed. Fresh research indicates that a comparable drug that also boosts insulin has shown ‘significant’ weight loss benefits for those battling obesity.
The surge in obesity and associated rise in type 2 diabetes cases have seen semaglutide and its counterparts herald a new era in managing these debilitating health issues. Numerous patients have successfully reversed their diabetes linked to obesity, and many who have found diets ineffective are witnessing their waistlines diminish.
Yet, as with any medical innovation, ongoing studies continue to shed light on the effectiveness of these treatments.
Enter tirzepatide, another breakthrough diabetes drug, which similarly imitates a hormone called GLP-1 that your body releases in the gut upon eating, leading to an uptick in insulin production. A large study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has found that this medication is “significantly” more potent in promoting weight loss than Ozempic.
This extensive research scrutinised the effects on 18,386 individuals taking either tirzepatide or semaglutide, with over half (52%) diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. The comparison of patient groups, averaging 52 years in age, revealed that a substantial two-thirds (66.5%) experienced notable weight reduction on the widely-used semaglutide, reports Gloucestershire Live.
A staggering 82 per cent of participants using tirzepatide experienced a minimum weight reduction of five per cent, according to the drug’s trial results.
Patricia Rodriguez, PhD, the study’s lead researcher and principal applied scientist at Truveta, which co-sponsored the research, shared her insights with Medical News Today: “Patients on tirzepatide were over two times more likely to experience 10 per cent weight loss and three times more likely to experience 15 per cent weight loss within a year, compared to patients on semaglutide.
“Our study also found that, in general, patients without type 2 diabetes experienced greater weight loss than patients with type 2 diabetes, but tirzepatide was more effective than semaglutide in both groups.”
The surge in demand for Ozempic and similar diabetes medications as weight management solutions has triggered a shortage, impacting individuals with Type 2 diabetes who stand to gain from this innovative treatment capable of reversing their condition and enhancing overall health. Consequently, there has been an uptick in counterfeit versions of the medication, prompting the World Health Organisation to issue warnings against these potentially hazardous fakes.
While the findings contribute to the expanding body of evidence on insulin-boosting pharmaceuticals like tirzepatide and semaglutide, NICE, the UK’s drug regulatory authority, has urged caution regarding their use, especially for those already on other medications, due to possible adverse interactions.
NICE warns: “Tirzepatide delays gastric emptying, particularly following the first dose. This has the potential to slow the rate of absorption of concomitant oral medicines.”
However, this groundbreaking study could sway future decisions by healthcare professionals on prescribing tirzepatide for weight management.
Nick Stucky, MD, PhD, and vice president of Truveta Research, remarked: “While tirzepatide was significantly more effective than semaglutide, patients on both medications experienced substantial weight loss and we observed no difference in the risk of GI adverse events.”
The findings may shape future prescribing habits, but further investigation into the enduring effects of these GLP-1 mimicking drugs is essential. Always consult your GP before altering your medication regime and steer clear of dubious online alternatives that could endanger your wellbeing.