There is a growing trend among Americans to use medications for weight loss, but there is still much to be understood about their effectiveness.
A study by Truveta Inc. published in JAMA found that patients using tirzepatide (Mounjaro) experienced more significant weight loss compared to those using semaglutide (Ozempic). Both medications are GLP-1 agonists initially intended for diabetes treatment.
Ozempic is FDA-approved for Type 2 diabetes while Mounjaro was approved in late 2023 for treating obesity. These drugs, among others, have gained attention for their weight loss benefits.
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Cleveland Clinic explains that these drugs help regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin release and slowing digestion to decrease glucose in the blood. They also enhance satiety, making patients feel full after eating.
From May 2022 to September 2023, users of Mounjaro were 2.5 times more likely to achieve 10% weight loss and 3.2 times more likely to achieve 15% weight loss compared to those on Ozempic.
The study showed that Mounjaro users experienced faster weight loss than those on Ozempic and after a year, Mounjaro users lost an average of 15.3% body weight while Ozempic users lost 8.3%.
Study lead author Tricia Rodriguez stated, “GLP-1 medications have seen a significant increase in usage among patients with and without type 2 diabetes. However, there is limited real-world data comparing the effectiveness of semaglutide and tirzepatide, which makes this study’s findings important and exciting.”
