Hormonal
Tirzepatide (5, 10, or 15 mg weekly) produces superior, dose-dependent weight loss and glycemic improvements compared to insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonists in adults with type 2 diabetes and/or obesity.
Tirzepatide is currently the most potent pharmacological therapy for weight loss and blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes and obesity, outperforming both insulin and other GLP-1 drugs. It works by mimicking two gut hormones (GIP and GLP-1) to reduce appetite and improve insulin sensitivity. While effective, it carries a higher risk of gastrointestinal side effects like nausea compared to other treatments.
Tirzepatide produced dose-dependent weight reductions versus insulin (MD −14.5 kg for 15 mg; −12.5 kg for 10 mg; −10.2 kg for 5 mg; all p < 0.0001). The likelihood of ≥15% weight loss (RR 4.83 for 15 mg), HbA1c reduction (MD −12.6 mmol/mol), and normoglycemia (RR 11.3) was significantly higher with tirzepatide.
Why this rating
Based on a network meta-analysis of 13 high-quality RCTs involving 14,007 participants.
Source
The efficacy and safety of dual GIP/GLP1 receptor agonists (tirzepatide) in diabetes and obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Karolina Hoffmann et al. · Expert Opinion on Drug Safety · 2025
DOI 10.1080/14740338.2025.2586703
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