- A meta-analysis discovered that one kind of GLP-1 medicine could also be more practical than others.
- The evaluation confirmed that GLP-1s containing tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) helped folks lose extra weight than these containing semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy).
- Liraglutide (Saxenda) had the bottom weight reduction proportion amongst customers.
- The success of tirzepatide could also be because of its twin mechanism, which targets a number of receptors.
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“We have been eager about discovering which drug offers probably the most weight reduction and doesn’t have increased charges of unwanted effects like nausea and gastrointestinal issues,” Pooja Gokhale, corresponding writer of the overview and a doctoral pupil within the College of Georgia School of Pharmacy, mentioned in a press release.
“Tirzepatide appears to be the higher possibility,” Gokhale mentioned.
The evaluation discovered that these utilizing tirzepatide (Zepbound or Mounjaro) misplaced 15–20% of their physique weight.
By comparability, contributors taking semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) misplaced round 12–13% of their physique weight. Liraglutide (Saxenda) confirmed the bottom weight reduction proportion, round 5%.
GLP-1 medications work by mimicking pure hormones within the intestine, which assist to decrease blood sugar, gradual digestion, and promote emotions of fullness to help weight reduction.
Semaglutide and liraglutide goal GLP-1 receptors, whereas tirzepatide targets each GLP-1 receptors and one other intestine hormone, GIP. This twin mechanism could also be what’s driving better weight reduction outcomes with tirzepatide.
The researchers additionally counsel that the best way the physique processes and interacts with the medicine could play a task in weight reduction.
Liraglutide, specifically, has a half-life of solely round 13 hours and requires a day by day injection. Semaglutide and tirzepatide have half-lives of 1 week and 5 days, respectively, permitting weekly injections.
“Whereas tirzepatide could obtain better common weight reduction, there isn’t a single ‘greatest’ medicine for each affected person,” mentioned Clare Thompson, a normal practitioner and weight administration companies lead at Cadogan Clinic in the UK. Thompson wasn’t concerned within the examine.
“Future analysis will assist us higher perceive whether or not the extra weight reduction seen with tirzepatide interprets into superior long-term well being advantages in contrast with different GLP-1 therapies.”
Whereas tirzepatide could result in better weight reduction, a semaglutide medicine could also be extra appropriate for some folks.
Semaglutide is commonly cheaper than tirzepatide, which can be a deciding issue.
“Semaglutide has been available on the market for longer and subsequently has extra sturdy, long-term knowledge on outcomes for decreasing heart attacks and strokes, and likewise good proof to help a discount in renal disease,” mentioned Thompson.
Semaglutide can also be obtainable as an oral pill, which can assist those that are averse to injections.
Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) was the primary oral GLP-1 approved by the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA). It was initially accredited to deal with kind 2 diabetes, however might also assist weight reduction. In December 2025, the FDA also approved an oral form of Wegovy particularly for weight reduction.
Regardless of the widespread success of GLP-1s for weight reduction, consultants encourage wholesome way of life habits, equivalent to a balanced food plan and common train.
“Weight problems must be considered as a persistent medical situation requiring a customized remedy strategy — there isn’t a one-size-fits-all,” mentioned Thompson.
“The perfect outcomes happen when pharmacological remedy is mixed with sustainable way of life adjustments, together with improved vitamin, common bodily exercise, satisfactory protein consumption, and resistance coaching to assist protect muscle mass throughout weight reduction.”
