Is Tirzepatide (generic name) safe for weight loss?

From the Guidelines

Tirzepatide is safe for weight loss when used under proper medical supervision, as evidenced by a recent study published in JAMA in 2023 1. The medication has been shown to be effective in achieving significant weight loss, with a mean weight loss of 20.9% for the 15 mg dose, 19.5% for the 10 mg dose, and 15.0% for the 5 mg dose, compared to 3.1% for placebo 1. Some key points to consider when using tirzepatide for weight loss include:

• The medication is dosed subcutaneously once weekly, with typical dosing starting at 5 mg and increasing to 10 mg or 15 mg as tolerated 1
• Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, which often improve over time
• Tirzepatide should be avoided by people with personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or those with severe gastrointestinal disease
• The medication should be used alongside lifestyle modifications including diet and exercise for optimal results
• Regular medical monitoring is essential while using this medication to assess effectiveness and manage any side effects It's worth noting that tirzepatide was FDA approved for treatment of obesity in November 2023, and a recent meta-analysis of RCTs reported that 15 mg weekly of tirzepatide was associated with greater weight loss compared with other medications such as semaglutide and liraglutide 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Tirzepatide lowers fasting and postprandial glucose concentration, decreases food intake, and reduces body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The FDA drug label indicates that Tirzepatide is associated with reduced body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the label does not explicitly state that it is safe for weight loss in the general population or for individuals without type 2 diabetes.

• Key points:
  • Tirzepatide reduces body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • The label does not provide information on the safety of tirzepatide for weight loss in the general population or for individuals without type 2 diabetes. 2

From the Research

Safety of Tirzepatide for Weight Loss

• The safety of tirzepatide for weight loss has been evaluated in several studies, including randomized controlled trials 3, 4, 5, 6.
• These studies have shown that tirzepatide is generally well-tolerated, but may cause gastrointestinal adverse events, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite 3, 4, 5, 6.
• The incidence of serious adverse events and hypoglycemia was lower in the tirzepatide group compared to the placebo group 3.
• However, the incidence of adverse events leading to study drug discontinuation was higher in the tirzepatide group compared to the placebo group 3, 4.
• A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that tirzepatide had a higher incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions compared to the placebo and insulin groups, but a lower incidence of hypoglycemia compared to the insulin group 5.

Efficacy of Tirzepatide for Weight Loss

• Tirzepatide has been shown to be effective for weight loss in several studies, including randomized controlled trials 3, 4, 5, 6.
• A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that tirzepatide significantly reduced body weight, BMI, and waist circumference compared to the placebo and insulin groups 5.
• Another study found that tirzepatide was superior to semaglutide for weight loss, with a greater percentage of participants achieving weight reductions of at least 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% 6.
• Tirzepatide has also been shown to improve cardiometabolic measures, such as blood pressure and lipid profiles 4.

Comparison to Other Weight Loss Treatments

• Tirzepatide has been compared to other weight loss treatments, including semaglutide and bariatric surgery 7, 6.
• A study found that tirzepatide was superior to semaglutide for weight loss, with a greater percentage of participants achieving weight reductions of at least 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25% 6.
• Another study discussed the potential of tirzepatide as a medical therapy for weight loss, and its potential to "outweigh" bariatric surgery 7.