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The diabetes medication Mounjaro demonstrated remarkable efficacy in aiding individuals with obesity or overweight conditions in shedding approximately 60 pounds on average, when combined with rigorous diet and exercise routines, as per a recent study. In contrast, a group that followed a similar diet and exercise regimen but received placebo injections initially lost weight, only to subsequently regain some, according to findings reported in the journal Nature Medicine. Dr. Thomas Wadden, a leading researcher in obesity at the University of Pennsylvania, stated, “This study indicates that if you initiate weight loss prior to commencing the drug, you can achieve even greater weight reduction thereafter.”
The study’s results, also presented at a medical conference, affirm that the drug, produced by Eli Lilly & Co. and marketed as Mounjaro, holds potential as one of the most potent treatments for obesity thus far, as noted by independent experts. Dr. Caroline Apovian, an obesity specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, commented, “No matter how you look at it, it’s a significant portion of one’s total body weight.”
The injectable drug, tirzepatide, received U.S. approval for diabetes treatment in May 2022. However, it has been used “off-label” for obesity treatment, contributing to the heightened demand for diabetes and weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy from Novo Nordisk. These drugs, priced at $900 or more per month, have faced shortages for months.
Tirzepatide targets two post-meal hormones responsible for regulating appetite and the sensation of fullness between the gut and the brain. In contrast, semaglutide, found in Ozempic and Wegovy, targets one of these hormones.
Funded by Eli Lilly, the study enrolled approximately 800 participants with obesity or overweight conditions linked to health complications (excluding diabetes). On average, participants began the study weighing about 241 pounds (109.5 kilograms) with a body mass index (BMI) of approximately 38, a standard measure of obesity.
Following three months of intensive diet and exercise, over 200 participants left the trial, either due to insufficient weight loss or other reasons. The remaining nearly 600 individuals were randomly assigned to receive tirzepatide or a placebo through weekly injections for about 16 months. Nearly 500 participants completed the study.
Both groups experienced a roughly 7% reduction in body weight, equivalent to almost 17 pounds (8 kilograms), during the diet and exercise phase. Those receiving the drug proceeded to lose an additional 18.4% of their initial body weight, or about 44 pounds (20 kilograms) on average. Meanwhile, those receiving the placebo regained about 2.5% of their initial weight, or 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms).
In total, approximately 88% of those on tirzepatide lost 5% or more of their body weight during the trial, compared to just under 17% on placebo. Nearly 29% of those on the drug lost at least a quarter of their body weight, compared to slightly over 1% on placebo. Apovian noted that these results surpass those of semaglutide and are comparable to outcomes seen with bariatric surgery, stating, “We’re essentially achieving a medical gastric bypass.”
Side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation were more commonly reported in those taking the drug than in those on placebo. They were predominantly mild to moderate and primarily occurred during dose escalation. Over 10% of those on the drug discontinued the study due to side effects, compared to about 2% on placebo.
Lilly is anticipated to soon release the results of another study, which reportedly demonstrates similarly high rates of weight loss. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has expedited the review process for using the drug in obesity treatment, potentially under a different brand name. A decision is expected by year-end.
