JAMA Finds Tirzepatide More Effective for Weight Loss In Study

The recent Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) article found tirzepatide to be more effective for weight loss than its counterpart, semaglutide. We'll summarize what this study found and what that may mean for you as you decide which GLP-1 for weight loss is right for you.

What is a GLP-1?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone that your body releases from cells in your intestines, usually in response to food intake. It has several effects on your metabolism, including:

• Increasing insulin release when blood sugar is high

• Slowing down the movement of food out of the stomach

• Reducing appetite

• Reducing glucagon release (glucagon raises blood sugar levels)

GLP-1 agonist medications, like semaglutide and tirzepatide, are designed to mimic this hormone. GLP-1 agonists help with lowering blood sugar, weight loss, and have also been found to have cardiovascular benefits. 

Semaglutide vs. tirzepatide

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are the most commonly prescribed GLP-1 agonists for weight loss.sThey  both copy or mimic the effects of naturally occuring GLP-1 hormones in your body. 

Let’s compare semaglutide and tirzepatide:

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist, meaning it simulates your body’s GLP-1. It is available in oral or injectable forms and is used to treat diabetes as well as obesity. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. 

Tirzepatide is a newer medication (approved in 2022), it acts as a GLP-1 agonist as well as a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) agonist. Because it acts on both of these receptors, some studies suggest that it may be more effective at increasing insulin secretion and lowering blood sugar, as well as more potent for weight loss. It has similar side effects to other GLP-1 agonists, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. 

What does the JAMA tirzepatide study mean?

The recent JAMA study comparing the efficacy (effectiveness) of the two GLP-1 agonists for weight loss has been all the buzz. So, let’s break down the study and what the results mean, practically, for you. 

The study, titled “Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide for Weight Loss in Adults With Overweight or Obesity” looked at which of these medications lead to more weight loss, and also if either was associated with more side effects. 

They found that people taking tirzepatide had more weight loss compared to those on semaglutide. Specifically, 82% of tirzepatide users lost at least 5% of their body weight, while 67% of semaglutide users lost at least 5% of their body weight. As the study continued, they showed that tirzepatide continued to lead to greater weight loss at 3, 6, and even 12 months. 

For side effects, the study showed that there was no significant difference between the side effects of semaglutide vs. tirzepatide. 

So what does all this really mean for you?

If you and your healthcare provider feel that a more significant amount of weight loss is desired, tirzepatide might be a better choice, especially since side effects were found to be the same between the two medications. If larger amounts of weight loss isn’t a priority, then you may want to keep in mind medication accessibility, coverage and medication price. Overall, while tirzepatide was found to be more affective, both medications lead to significant weight loss among participants.

Deciding on tirzepatide vs other GLP-1 medications

In the end, the decision about which GLP-1 medication to try, or whether to use any of them at all, is up to you and your healthcare team. Though this study highlighted the higher effectiveness of tirzepatide compared to semaglutide, both were very effective at weight loss with similar side effects..  

When deciding which path to take, it’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider. They can help you consider all of your options, whether that’s medication or not.t. Always discuss the benefits, risks, and your own personal health goals with your prescriber to help you make an informed decision. 

At Agile, we make it a priority to offer a no-cost initial consultation with a licensed provider to discuss medications and programs prior to starting the prescription. If you choose to continue with one of our progress, you will also receive ongoing care and lifestyle recommendation to ensure you see the most success.

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