Browse the evidence

Tirzepatide and semaglutide are the only obesity management medications (OMMs) achieving greater than 10% total body weight loss (TBWL) at study endpoints, with tirzepatide uniquely associated with a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving ≥25% TBWL.

If you are seeking significant, clinically meaningful weight loss (over 10% of body weight), current evidence strongly supports using tirzepatide or semaglutide over older oral medications. Tirzepatide shows the highest efficacy, with a unique ability to help a larger proportion of patients lose 25% or more of their body weight. Be aware that these are long-term treatments; stopping them typically leads to regaining most of the lost weight, so they should be viewed as ongoing management for obesity, not a short-term fix.

Once-weekly subcutaneous 2.4 mg semaglutide induces clinically meaningful, sustained double-digit weight loss (average ~15-16%) in adults with obesity or overweight, significantly outperforming previous pharmacotherapies and approaching results of metabolic surgery.

For adults with obesity or overweight plus a comorbidity, once-weekly 2.4 mg semaglutide is a highly effective treatment that produces an average 15-16% weight loss, which is significantly better than previous drugs and lifestyle changes alone. It requires a weekly injection, titrated up over 4 months to minimize side effects, alongside a modest calorie deficit and exercise. While GI side effects are common, they are usually manageable.

Tirzepatide induces significant, dose-dependent weight loss in patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes, with non-diabetic individuals experiencing greater absolute weight reduction than diabetic individuals at equivalent doses.

Tirzepatide is a highly effective treatment for weight loss, with higher doses (15 mg) producing the greatest results. Non-diabetic patients tend to lose more weight than diabetic patients at the same dose. The most common barrier is gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, which are dose-dependent but typically manageable and do not lead to serious health risks.

Tirzepatide increases the likelihood of achieving clinically meaningful weight loss thresholds (≥5%, ≥10%, ≥15%) in a dose-dependent manner, with 15 mg showing the highest odds ratios for all thresholds.

Higher doses of tirzepatide significantly increase your chances of losing 5%, 10%, or 15% of your body weight. The 15 mg dose offers the highest probability of achieving these milestones compared to lower doses.

Semaglutide (2.4 mg weekly) produces significantly greater weight loss than liraglutide (3.0 mg daily), orlistat, and phentermine in obese individuals.

If you have obesity or overweight with related health risks, Semaglutide (2.4 mg weekly) is currently the most effective pharmacological option for weight loss, significantly outperforming Liraglutide, Orlistat, and Phentermine. You must start at a low dose (0.25 mg) and increase it every 4 weeks to minimize stomach side effects. This medication works best when combined with diet and exercise changes.

Once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide at 2.4 mg is effective and safe for weight loss in non-diabetic adults and adolescents with overweight or obesity, demonstrating superiority over both placebo and daily liraglutide.

For non-diabetic adults and adolescents with obesity, once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide (2.4 mg) combined with lifestyle changes is a highly effective treatment for significant weight loss. It is superior to placebo and daily liraglutide. While gastrointestinal side effects like nausea are common, they often subside over time. This treatment is FDA-approved and supported by robust clinical trials.

Tirzepatide, a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, produces significant, dose-dependent weight loss and HbA1c reduction in overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes, with efficacy increasing at doses of 5mg, 10mg, and 15mg administered once weekly.

If you have type 2 diabetes and are overweight or obese, Tirzepatide is a highly effective, once-weekly injection that helps you lose significant weight and lower your blood sugar. The higher the dose (up to 15mg), the more weight you tend to lose. While you might experience side effects like nausea or diarrhea, especially at higher doses, most people get used to it. It is more effective than many existing obesity medications.

Tirzepatide administration significantly reduces body weight in overweight and obese individuals (BMI ≥28 kg/m²) compared to control, with the magnitude of weight loss being dose-dependent.

If you have a BMI of 28 or higher, Tirzepatide is a clinically proven option for significant weight loss. It works by mimicking hormones that regulate blood sugar and appetite. You take it as a once-weekly injection, starting at a low dose (2.5mg) and increasing to 5mg, 10mg, or 15mg depending on your response. Expect some gastrointestinal side effects like nausea or diarrhea, especially at higher doses, but most people tolerate it well. The higher the dose, the more weight you tend to lose.

Tirzepatide significantly reduces HbA1c levels in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes, with the effect being dose-dependent.

For those managing Type 2 Diabetes, Tirzepatide offers a powerful tool to lower blood sugar levels (HbA1c). It works by helping your pancreas release insulin when needed and stopping the liver from making too much sugar. Like with weight loss, higher doses lead to greater HbA1c reductions. This makes it a viable option for patients who need better glycemic control alongside weight management.

Weekly subcutaneous semaglutide at 2.4 mg reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke) in patients with obesity or overweight and preexisting cardiovascular disease, regardless of diabetes status.

If you have heart disease and are overweight or obese, but do not have diabetes, adding once-weekly semaglutide (2.4 mg) to your standard heart care significantly lowers your risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart-related death. The treatment involves a slow buildup of the dose over 16 weeks to manage side effects like nausea. While it works well for most, be aware that gastrointestinal issues are the main reason people stop taking it.

Once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide (2.4 mg) combined with lifestyle intervention produces sustained, clinically significant weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, significantly outperforming placebo.

If you have obesity or overweight with related health conditions, adding once-weekly semaglutide (2.4 mg) to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise program can lead to substantial, sustained weight loss (averaging nearly 15% of body weight) compared to lifestyle changes alone. Be prepared for potential gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, which usually improve over time, and adhere to the titration schedule to minimize discomfort.

Subcutaneous semaglutide at a maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once weekly produces clinically significant weight loss (mean reduction ~14-16%) in non-diabetic adults with obesity or overweight, significantly outperforming placebo.

For non-diabetic adults with obesity or overweight, weekly subcutaneous semaglutide (2.4 mg) is a highly effective treatment for weight loss, achieving an average 15% body weight reduction. This is significantly better than placebo or other existing medications. Treatment involves a gradual dose increase over 16 weeks to minimize side effects, combined with a calorie-restricted diet and exercise. Patients should be aware that stopping the medication often leads to weight regain, suggesting it may be a long-term therapy.

Once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide (specifically the 2.4 mg dose) produces substantial, sustained weight loss (mean reduction ~14.9%) and significant improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors (HbA1c, lipids, blood pressure) in adults with overweight or obesity, with an acceptable safety profile characterized by mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal side effects.

If you have obesity or overweight with comorbidities, once-weekly semaglutide (2.4 mg) is a highly effective medical treatment that can help you lose nearly 15% of your body weight and improve heart health markers like blood pressure and cholesterol. While you may experience temporary stomach issues like nausea when starting, these usually get better as your body adjusts. It is not a quick fix but a long-term management tool for a chronic condition, comparable to how medication manages high blood pressure.

High consumption of dietary sodium increases systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Reduce your sodium intake. High sodium raises blood pressure and increases the risk of fatal heart disease. Aim for lower sodium levels by cooking at home, reading labels, and using herbs and spices for flavor.

Subcutaneous semaglutide (2.4 mg once weekly) produces significant weight loss (mean 14.9% body weight reduction in STEP 1) and improves cardiometabolic markers (waist circumference, blood pressure, HbA1c, lipids) compared to placebo in adults with obesity.

For adults with obesity, subcutaneous semaglutide (2.4 mg weekly) is a highly effective treatment that reduces body weight by approximately 15% and improves cardiovascular risk factors. It is well-tolerated, though gastrointestinal side effects like nausea are common; these can be mitigated by slow dose escalation and dietary adjustments. It is superior to other weight loss medications in clinical trials.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) such as liraglutide and semaglutide facilitate significant weight loss and maintenance by acting on central nervous system receptors to reduce appetite and hunger, increase satiety, and alter food reward pathways, rather than solely through gastrointestinal side effects.

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) and liraglutide (Saxenda) are highly effective for weight loss because they work on your brain to reduce hunger and increase fullness, not just by making you sick. They are taken by injection, either daily or weekly, and work best when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. Side effects like nausea are common at first but usually go away, and you can manage them by starting with a low dose and increasing it slowly.

Once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg significantly reduces major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), heart failure composite endpoints, cardiovascular death, and all-cause death in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and obesity, regardless of whether they have heart failure with preserved or reduced ejection fraction.

If you have heart disease and are overweight or obese, especially if you have heart failure, asking your doctor about once-weekly semaglutide (2.4 mg) could significantly lower your risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure hospitalizations, and death. This benefit applies whether your heart pumps strongly or weakly, and it is safe to use alongside your current heart failure medications.

Repeated bouts of mechanical overload (resistance training) induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy primarily through transient increases in mTORC1 signaling, which elevates muscle protein synthesis rates, alongside expanded translational capacity via ribosome biogenesis and increased satellite cell abundance/myonuclear accretion.

To build muscle, you must consistently apply mechanical overload (resistance training) to your muscles. This triggers internal cellular signals (mTORC1) that increase protein synthesis and add new nuclei to muscle fibers. Focus on progressive resistance training over 8-16 weeks to achieve significant mass gains (5-20%). Do not rely solely on hormones or 'pumps'; the mechanical stimulus is the primary driver.

Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., tirzepatide) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., semaglutide) induce significant weight loss and improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity by acting on central satiety centers and peripheral metabolic pathways.

If you have T2DM or obesity, GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists are highly effective treatments that work by mimicking natural gut hormones to reduce appetite and improve blood sugar. They are available as weekly injections or daily oral pills. Consult your doctor to see if one of these FDA-approved medications is right for you.

Semaglutide 2.4 mg administered once weekly induces significant body weight reduction (>10% in ~69% of patients) in non-diabetic adults with obesity when used as an adjunct to lifestyle programs.

For non-diabetic adults with obesity, semaglutide 2.4 mg taken once weekly, combined with lifestyle changes, can lead to an average 14.9% body weight loss over 68 weeks. This is significantly more effective than placebo. Be prepared for potential gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, which are common but often subside.

Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., tirzepatide) produce greater body weight reduction than selective GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Tirzepatide, a dual-acting drug, is more effective for weight loss than standard GLP-1 drugs, achieving up to 21% weight loss in trials. It is taken once weekly, starting at a low dose to minimize stomach upset.

Tirzepatide, a GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist administered via once-weekly subcutaneous injections, produces clinically significant reductions in HbA1c and body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes, demonstrating superior efficacy compared to standard antidiabetic therapies including GLP-1 RAs and insulin.

Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection for type 2 diabetes that lowers blood sugar and reduces weight more effectively than many existing treatments. It starts at a low dose to minimize side effects like nausea, which usually improve over time. Patients should continue lifestyle changes like diet and exercise alongside the medication.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide 2.4 mg and liraglutide 3 mg) produce significant body weight reduction (up to 20% with semaglutide) and improve cardiovascular risk factors, with semaglutide showing superiority in weight loss compared to previous drugs.

If lifestyle changes alone aren't enough, GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (2.4 mg weekly) are highly effective, producing up to 20% body weight loss in many patients. This weight loss is comparable to bariatric surgery and significantly improves blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. Discuss these options with your doctor if you have obesity and comorbidities.

Semaglutide (both subcutaneous and oral formulations) provides superior glycemic control and greater weight loss compared to other GLP-1 receptor agonists, with demonstrated benefits in reducing major adverse cardiovascular events.

Semaglutide is a highly effective treatment for Type 2 Diabetes, offering better blood sugar control and weight loss than other drugs in its class. It is available as a weekly injection or a daily pill. If you choose the pill, you must take it on an empty stomach with a small sip of water and wait 30 minutes before eating. Start with the lowest dose to minimize stomach upset, which usually goes away. It also helps protect your heart and kidneys.