A groundbreaking study has revealed that the diabetes drug Mounjaro, combined with intensive diet and exercise, can help individuals with obesity or those who are overweight lose an average of 60 pounds, which is equivalent to at least a quarter of their body weight. Researchers reported that individuals who received dummy shots initially lost weight, but eventually regained some. However, those who lost weight before starting the treatment were able to achieve even greater weight loss. Dr. Thomas Wadden, the lead researcher of the study, expressed his optimism about the findings. The drug, tirzepatide, was approved in the US in May 2022 for diabetes treatment.
The results of the study, which were presented at a medical conference, have led experts to believe that Eli Lilly & Co.’s Mounjaro has the potential to be one of the most effective treatments for obesity thus far. Dr. Caroline Apovian, an obesity specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, commented on the significant weight loss achieved by individuals using the drug. Mounjaro, which has been used off-label for obesity treatment, has been in high demand along with other diabetes and weight-loss medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy. These medications have been in short supply and come with hefty price tags of $900 or more per month. Tirzepatide targets hormones that regulate appetite and the feeling of fullness after meals, effectively curbing overeating.
In comparison, Ozempic and Wegovy target one of these hormones. The study, funded by Eli Lilly, involved approximately 800 participants who were either obese or overweight with a weight-related health condition, excluding diabetes. Over a span of three months, participants engaged in intensive diet and exercise, resulting in more than 200 individuals exiting the trial due to insufficient weight loss or other reasons. The remaining participants—approximately 600 in total—were randomly assigned to receive either tirzepatide or a placebo through weekly injections for about 16 months. Nearly 500 participants completed the study, with both groups experiencing a 7% weight loss during the diet-and-exercise phase.
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Those who received tirzepatide went on to lose an additional 18.4% of their initial body weight, equivalent to about 44 pounds on average. On the other hand, those who received the placebo regained around 2.5% of their initial weight, or 6 pounds. Notably, about 88% of the tirzepatide group lost 5% or more of their body weight during the trial, compared to only 17% of the placebo group. Additionally, nearly 29% of the tirzepatide group achieved at least a quarter of their body weight loss, in contrast to just over 1% of the placebo group. Dr. Caroline Apovian compared these results to the effectiveness of bariatric surgery, stating that tirzepatide is essentially a “medical gastric bypass.” Eli Lilly has applied for fast-track review from the FDA to use the drug for obesity treatment, potentially under a different brand name. A decision is expected by the end of the year.
(Read more Mounjaro stories.)
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