Preliminary results show that the GIP/GLP-1 agonist tirzepatide achieved up to 24 kg weight loss in overweight and obese people in the phase III SURMOUNT-1 study in 72 weeks. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study had four arms: 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg tirzepatide or placebo. The 2,539 overweight or obese subjects were evenly distributed among the groups. In addition, they received a calorie-restricted diet and were encouraged to exercise. They had at least one comorbidity, such as hypertension or dyslipidemia, but no type 2 diabetes.
In all verum groups, tirzepatide was initially given in a dose of 2.5 mg once a week. Thereafter, there was an increase of 2.5 mg every four weeks up to the corresponding dose depending on the treatment arm. The estimated mean weight reduction was 16.0 percent for tirzepatide 5 mg, 21.4 percent for 10 mg and 22.5 percent for tirzepatide 15 mg and 24 kg, respectively, compared to 2.4 percent for placebo. Tirzepatide is also known as “twincretin” because of its action on two incretin receptors (GIP and GLP-1).