Hormonal
GLP-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide 3 mg, semaglutide 2.4 mg) and dual GLP-1/GIP agonists (tirzepatide 15 mg) produce significant, superior weight loss compared to placebo and older anti-obesity medications.
If you have obesity, newer GLP-1 or dual agonist medications (like semaglutide or tirzepatide) are significantly more effective for weight loss than older drugs or lifestyle changes alone. These require weekly or daily injections and work by mimicking hormones that control appetite and digestion. They are generally safe but require medical supervision, especially if you have a history of thyroid cancer or pancreatitis.
After 56 weeks liraglutide plus lifestyle intervention provided a reduction of 8.4±7.3 kg in weight compared with the placebo group (2.8±6.5 kg, p<0.001)... After 68 weeks of treatment patients in the treatment group lost 14.9% of their weight whereas the placebo group lost 2.4% (p<0.001)... Weight loss with 15 mg was 20.9% compared with 3.1% for the placebo group (p<0.001).
Why this rating
Based on multiple large-scale, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (SCALE, STEP, SURMOUNT).
Source
Novel Anti-obesity Therapies and their Different Effects and Safety Profiles: A Critical Overview
Özge Telci Çaklılı et al. · Diabetes Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity · 2023
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →