What is the efficacy of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight loss?

From the Guidelines

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a highly effective medication for weight loss, and its use should be prioritized in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity, due to its beneficial effects on both weight and glycemic control, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1.

Key Points to Consider

• The medication works by mimicking two hormones (GLP-1 and GIP) that regulate blood sugar and appetite, helping patients feel fuller longer and reducing food intake.
• The typical starting dose is 2.5 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly, gradually increasing to 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, and potentially up to 15 mg weekly as tolerated.
• Most patients see significant results within 3-6 months, with clinical trials showing average weight loss of 15-20% of body weight over 72 weeks, as supported by recent studies 1.
• Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, which often improve over time.
• For best results, Mounjaro should be combined with a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity.

Important Considerations

• Insurance coverage varies significantly, and without coverage, the cost can be substantial (approximately $1,000-$1,300 monthly), though manufacturer savings programs may help reduce costs.
• The medication requires refrigeration until first use and should be injected in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
• Recent guidelines recommend prioritizing medications with beneficial effects on weight, such as Mounjaro, for patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity 1.
• Weight management pharmacotherapy, including Mounjaro, should be considered for people with diabetes and overweight or obesity, along with lifestyle changes, and potential benefits and risks must be considered 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

In adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, treatment with MOUNJARO produced a statistically significant reduction from baseline in HbA1c compared to placebo The effectiveness of MOUNJARO was not impacted by age, gender, race, ethnicity, region, or by baseline BMI, HbA1c, diabetes duration, or renal function. Body Weight (kg) Baseline (mean) 84.5 87.0 86.2 85.5 Change at Week 40b-1.0 -6.3 -7.0 -7.

Mounjaro for weight loss: Mounjaro resulted in a statistically significant reduction in body weight, with a change from baseline of -6.3 kg, -7.0 kg, and -7.8 kg for the 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg doses, respectively, compared to -1.0 kg for the placebo group 2.

• Key points:
  • Mounjaro is effective for weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • The effectiveness of Mounjaro for weight loss is not impacted by age, gender, race, ethnicity, region, or by baseline BMI, HbA1c, diabetes duration, or renal function.
  • Mounjaro resulted in a statistically significant reduction in body weight compared to the placebo group.

From the Research

Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) for Weight Loss

• Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, is a dual glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) receptor agonist that has been shown to be effective in reducing body weight in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes 3, 4.
• In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, tirzepatide was found to provide substantial and sustained reductions in body weight in persons with obesity over a 72-week period, with a mean percent change in body weight of -12.3% to -19.7% compared to -1.3% with placebo 5.
• The SURPASS clinical trial program also demonstrated the efficacy of tirzepatide in reducing body weight in individuals with type 2 diabetes, with reductions of 5.4 to 12.9 kg over periods of treatment up to 104 weeks 6, 4.
• Additionally, a retrospective chart review study found that long-term use of tirzepatide in overweight and obese adults with type 1 diabetes resulted in significant weight loss, with a mean weight loss of -23.4% over 21 months 7.

Mechanism of Action and Safety

• Tirzepatide works by activating both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which helps to improve glycemic control and reduce body weight 3.
• The safety profile of tirzepatide is similar to that of other GLP-1 receptor agonists, with common adverse events including gastrointestinal symptoms, which are typically mild to moderate in severity 5, 6.
• Tirzepatide has been found to be well-tolerated in clinical trials, with a low risk of hypoglycemia when used without insulin or insulin secretagogues 6.

Clinical Implications

• Tirzepatide has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and is under investigation for use in chronic weight management and other conditions, including heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and obesity 3, 4.
• The use of tirzepatide in clinical practice may offer a new opportunity for the effective management of type 2 diabetes and obesity, particularly in individuals who have not responded to other treatments 6, 4.