Tirzepatide Emerges as a New and Effective Weight Loss Drug

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Highlights:

• Tirzepatide is a new and effective weight-loss drug, which targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors simultaneously
• Trials have shown that Tirzepatide is superior to Semaglutide in reducing HbA1c levels and body weight Tirzepatide may get approval for the treatment of obesity, and doctors have started prescribing it off-label for weight loss

Semaglutide, a diabetes medicine sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, gained popularity for its significant weight loss results, with celebrities even endorsing it. However, a newer and stronger contender, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro (Tirzepatide), has emerged as a game-changer in diabetes and weight loss landscape.

This medicine acts on two targets simultaneously and yields better diabetes control with more weight loss than Semaglutide. Trials for the drug have shown that participants were able to reduce their HBA1c levels by up to 2.4 percent and their weight by up to 11.4 kg in less than a year. In this article, we explore Tirzepatide's mechanism of action, its benefits, and its limitations. Obesity is a global health epidemic that affects people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults worldwide were overweight, and of these, over 650 million were classified as obese (3^✔).

‘Tirzepatide is a dual-acting drug that targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, making it a potent medicine for diabetes and weight loss. Its significant weight loss effects, coupled with its ability to enhance beta cell function and liver action, make it a game-changer in diabetes and weight loss landscape.’

In the United States, the prevalence of obesity among adults was 42.4% in 2017-2018, with higher rates observed among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adults (4^✔). Obesity is associated with numerous health problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer (5^✔). Addressing the obesity epidemic requires a multifaceted approach that includes policy changes, education, and interventions to promote healthy lifestyles.

What is Tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide is a dual-acting drug that targets both GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors. It belongs to a class of drugs called incretin mimetics that mimic the action of gut hormones (incretins) (1^✔). GLP-1 and GIP are both incretins secreted in response to food intake that help regulate blood glucose levels.

GLP-1 stimulates insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon secretion, and slows down gastric emptying, while GIP stimulates insulin secretion (2^✔). Tirzepatide's simultaneous targeting of both GLP-1 and GIP receptors is a unique feature that makes it a potent medicine for diabetes and weight loss.

Benefits of Tirzepatide:

Tirzepatide has several benefits that make it a game-changer in diabetes and weight loss landscape. First and foremost, it is more effective than Semaglutide in reducing HbA1c levels and body weight, with similar gastrointestinal adverse effects.

Second, Tirzepatide's dual action on GLP-1 and GIP receptors enhances the function of beta cells that release insulin and improves the action of the liver, resulting in fewer complications (1^✔).

Third, Tirzepatide's weight loss effects are so significant that it may render weight-loss surgery obsolete, according to Professor Surender Kumar from the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.

As Professor Surender Kumar notes, Tirzepatide is an excellent medicine for those who can afford it, and it should be offered to them.

Limitations of Tirzepatide:

Although Tirzepatide has several benefits, it is not a magic bullet for weight loss. Lifestyle modifications, including a healthy diet and regular exercise, remain the key to managing diabetes and weight loss.

Tirzepatide's side effects, mainly related to gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach ache, may also limit its widespread use.

References:

1. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2021 Abridged for Primary Care Providers - (https:pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33551551/)
2. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor co-agonists for treating metabolic disease - (https:pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32987188/)
3. Obesity and overweight - (https:www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight)
4. Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2017-2018 - (https:pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32487284/)
5. Adult Obesity Facts - (https:www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html)

Source: Medindia

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