Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in the popular weight loss medication, Zepbound, has been shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in obese or overweight adults with pre-diabetes by a huge 94%, according to drugmaker Eli Lilly.
The company said weekly tirzepatide injections (5mgi, 10mg, 15mg) significantly reduced the risk of progression to type 2 diabetes by 94% among adults with pre-diabetes and obesity or who were overweight, compared with placebo.
The clinical trial among 1 032 participants over the course of roughly three years found that not only did the medication cut health risks, those on the 15mg per week dose lost an average of 22.9% of their body weight across the course of the research period, compared with a drop of just 2.1% for those taking a placebo treatment.
While the study’s details are yet to be peer-reviewed and published, the results strongly suggest that tirzepatide could significantly reduce the chance of type 2 diabetes developing in those who are already at high risk, said the company.
The likelihood of developing diabetes from a pre-diabetes stage for people over the age of 45 varies depending on individual circumstances, but it’s generally thought to be around 9% to 14%.
Tirzepatide has already attracted attention, with previous studies putting it at least on par with Ozempic in the weight loss stakes.
However, these drugs aren’t without their drawbacks though. While approved for use by regulators, tirzepatide can lead to side effects in certain people, including stomach and kidney problems, low blood sugar, and serious allergic reactions.
Questions also remain about the long-term effectiveness of the treatment. In the 17 weeks after the trial, participants who had stopped taking tirzepatide began to regain weight, and some progression to type 2 diabetes was recorded. With these 17 weeks included, the risk reduction dropped to 88%.
While drugs such as these – including Zepbound and the related diabetes drug Mounjaro – shouldn’t be taken without professional advice, the research suggests that even more significant treatments are on the way to reduce type 2 diabetes risk.
The research is due to be presented at Obesity Week 2024 at San Antonio in November.
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Boundless benefits of weight-loss drugs under scrutiny
Weight regained after tirzepatide discontinued – US study