Research
Hormonal
GLP-1 analogs (e.g., Semaglutide, Liraglutide) and dual agonists (Tirzepatide) produce significant weight loss (up to 21%) but are associated with high costs, lifelong administration requirements, and gastrointestinal side effects that may drive patients toward complementary therapies.
GLP-1 drugs (Semaglutide, Tirzepatide) are highly effective for weight loss (15-21%), but they are expensive, require lifelong injections, and cause GI side effects. If you experience side effects or cannot afford long-term use, you are not alone; many patients seek complementary therapies like TCM to manage weight and side effects.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Especially the GLP-1 analogs... show a significant and clinically highly relevant reduction in total body weight of up to 15%... With further substance combinations (Tirzepatid: GLP-1/GIP-receptor agonist) even 21% weight loss can be achieved... Disadvantages of GLP-1 analogs include the high costs... and lifelong subcutaneous application... Side effects such as gastrointestinal complaints lead to therapy discontinuations.
Why this rating
Cites multiple RCTs (STEP 1-6, SURMOUNT-1) and EMA approvals.
Source
Einfluss von Appetitzüglern auf die TCM-Akzeptanz bei (Prä‑)Adipösen
Anna K. Happe et al. · Deutsche Zeitschrift für Akupunktur · 2026
DOI 10.1007/s42212-025-00800-2
cross_sectional · n=479
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
Related findings · Hormonal
- Initial treatment for type 2 diabetes should be a combination of metformin and either an SGLT-2 inhibitor or a GLP-1 receptor agonist to achieve cardiorenal protection, rather than monotherapy or older agents like sulfonylureas.Strong
- For patients with specific monogenic obesity syndromes (leptin deficiency, POMC/PCSK1/LEPR mutations), targeted pharmacotherapy (recombinant leptin or setmelanotide) is highly effective and should be prioritized, unlike in polygenic obesity.Strong
- Continued weekly administration of 2.4 mg subcutaneous semaglutide prevents weight regain and promotes further weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, whereas switching to placebo results in significant weight regain.Strong
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