The SURMOUNT-5 Phase 3B trial monitored patients on both semaglutide and tirzepatide and found that at the end of the trial, tirzepatide led to a 47 per cent greater weight loss than semaglutide.
Regarding how much weight was lost, in the tirzepatide group, people who had obesity lost at least 25 per cent. In contrast, in the semaglutide group, only 16.1 per cent of weight loss was noted, akin to 50.3 pounds and 33.1 pounds, respectively.
The results mark a new era in weight loss drugs coming in on the heels of the semaglutide craze, giving people living with obesity another option that offers more weight loss in the same time frame.
The drug was also considered as safe as others on the market in the trial.
“The trial gave us more than three years of safety data, and what we know is that during this time frame, the safety was the exact same in the three-year as it was in the one-year,” said Dr. Wharton.
What this means for obesity and type 2 diabetes patients
Semaglutide medications, including Wegovy and Ozempic, are still as effective and safe as they have always been. However, the introduction of tirzepatide can give patients another route to take if these drugs don’t work as intended.
“It gives a greater number of options because the main molecule that we have now doesn’t work in everybody, so there’s patients who continue to struggle with their obesity, with their cravings, with their hunger,” said Dr. Wharton. “They’re on the current product and on this new product now, those same people may be able to get a switch over study and may be able to get the relief.”