A diabetes drug could be a game-changer for obesity: Study

A new study reveals that tirzepatide, a type 2 diabetes drug resulted in dramatic weight loss. The drug offers new hope for diabetic patients struggling with obesity.

Diabetes drug leads to unprecedented weight loss

According to a new study, tirzepatide, a drug approved for treating Type 2 diabetes is also effective for treating obesity. The drug works on two hormones involved in controlling blood sugar levels and sending a fullness signal from the gut to the brain. Published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the study reveals people who took this diabetes drug were losing weight. The new study focused on non-diabetic people with obesity and found more weight loss. Moreover, the study lead to about 21 percent of body weight loss with the highest recommended dose. 

“Nothing has provided that kind of weight loss except surgery. We’ve not had tools like this. I think it’s really exciting,” stated Dr. Robert Gabbay. Dr. Gabbay is the chief scientific and medical officer of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Moreover, according to Jeff Emmick, most of the trial participants did not experience major side effects. Emmick is the Vice President of Lilly, the drug giant, and manufacturer of tirzepatide. 15 percent of the participants dropped from the 72-week-long trial. About a third dropped out as they were experiencing gastrointestinal side effects, Additionally, 26 percent receiving the placebo dropped out of the study. According to Emmick, they may be frustrated by the lack of weight loss.

More on tirzepatide trial

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 13, approved the drug under the trade name Mounjaro for treating type 2 diabetes. Currently, the diabetes drug is not approved for weight loss. However, the firm hopes to change the scenario after finishing other trials and better understand its action on various people. According to Dr. Gabbay, over 15 to 20 percent weight loss has more potential in changing treatment for diabetes. “That is a potential game-changer in how we think about therapy for people with Type 2 diabetes,” he added.

The previous study for tirzepatide in people suffering from diabetes revealed remission in patients while taking the drug. “What is not known, is whether remission achieved this way will reduce the typical complications of diabetes, which can also include cardiovascular disease, nerve and kidney damage, and limb amputations,” added Gabbay. Additionally, “It’s also unclear whether tirzepatide will provide the cardiovascular benefits that semaglutide does. It would be helpful to run a head-to-head trial between the two drugs to see whether there are any differences in their health benefits,” asked Dr. David Rind. Dr. Rind, a primary health care provider is also the chief medical officer for Clinical and Economic Review.

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