Study finds that tirzepatide could reduce the risk of diabetes by 94%

According to the results of a three-year investigation into tirzepatide, weekly use of the drug by adults with prediabetes and either obesity or overweight conditions reduces their risk of progressing to diabetes by 94% compared to a placebo

Tirzepatide is a medication marketed in the US under the names Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss. It’s manufactured by Eli Lilly, who reported that participants in the study receiving a 15-milligram (mg) dose of tirzepatide also experienced an average weight reduction of nearly 23%, while those on placebo saw only a 2.1% decrease. 

The drug operates by mimicking hormones that prompt insulin release, enhance feelings of fullness, and suppress appetite. 

It specifically targets the GIP and GLP-1 hormone receptors and belongs to a new class of medications that also includes semaglutide, known as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss, both of which have gained popularity recently.

Earlier trials of tirzepatide demonstrated that it led to greater average weight loss than other approved treatments, leading the US Food and Drug Administration to approve it in November for people with obesity or those classified as overweight with at least one weight-related health issue, such as hypertension or heart disease. 

Like similar medications, it’s administered as a weekly self-injection and is advised to be used alongside a calorie-reduced diet and increased physical activity.

However, during the most recent study, Lilly noted that after 17 weeks without treatment, people who had discontinued tirzepatide began to regain weight, and there was “some increase in the progression to type 2 diabetes.” 

According to the company’s press release, the most commonly reported side effects were mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhoea, nausea, constipation, and vomiting.

Eli Lilly stated that the findings from this new trial are expected to be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at ObesityWeek 2024 in November.