An Italian study found that the drug tirzepatide may contribute to significant and sustained weight loss for at least three years in overweight or obese adults without diabetes.
Researchers from the University of Padua have clarified that people without obesity-related complications may be more receptive to treatment with tirzepatideThe results of the study will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity, which will be held in Malaga, Spain, from May 11 to 14.
The study is based on long-term monitoring of the drug tirzepatide in a Phase III clinical trial. The drug has been approved in the European Union and the United States to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes. It works by mimicking natural hormones in the body that help reduce appetite and stimulate insulin secretion.
The study involved 700 participants, 64% of whom were women, with an average age of 48. All were overweight or obese, with signs of prediabetes. They were divided into groups receiving different doses of tirzepatide (5, 10 and 15 mg).
Promising results
The results showed three patterns of weight loss among participants:
- The first group lost about 10% of its weight, quickly reaching a stabilization phase.
- The second group lost about 20%, before entering a stabilization phase.
- The third group lost about 30% of their weight and maintained this loss longer before stabilizing.
It was found that participants in the third group – where the proportion of women and people without obesity-related diseases was higher – achieved the best results in terms of weight loss.
The majority of participants reached a stabilization phase after approximately 24 weeks, while those in the third group continued to lose weight significantly until the 36th week.
The study revealed no new safety issues with the drug. The most common side effects were nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.
According to the researchers, the results prove that tirzepatide may help maintain long-term sustainable weight loss, further enhancing its effectiveness in obesity management.
They add that even moderate weight loss – such as 5% of body weight – can lead to significant improvements in overall health, including a reduced risk of diabetes as well as improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol.
The study also highlights that the response to treatment varies depending on several factors, such as gender or the presence of medical complications, thus opening the way to personalized treatment plans based on the characteristics of each patient.
