Eli Lilly product Tirzepatide recently completed a Phase III trial called SURMOUNT-1 during which overweight participants taking the once weekly 15 mg injection lost an average of 52 lbs. or 22.5% of their body weight. The drug also comes in a 5 mg dosage which produced an average 35 lb. weight loss and a 10 mg dosage which produced an average 49 lb. weight loss.
The SURMOUNT-1 study was comprised of 2,539 overweight or obese adults who had at least one other co-morbid health risk factor, but were not Type II Diabetics, including hypertension, heart disease, elevated lipids and obstructive sleep apnea. The drug was added to a reduced calorie diet and an exercise regimen. They initially received 2.5mg once a week for four weeks and then gradually increased the dosage. The study ran for 72 weeks. Those patients with prediabetes were allowed to remain in the program for an additional 104 weeks.
The major side effects were all related to the gastrointestinal tract including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The higher dosages produced more adverse effects. The drug outperformed Ozempic or Wegovy in head to head tests including weight loss and reduction in hemoglobin A1C. The price of the drug may be the most adverse effect costing just under $1,000 a month retail. Eli Lilly has a program for those in need to reduce the price to $25 a week.
This adds another successful weight loss medication to the field now dominated by Semaglutide drugs.
Filed under: Best Doctor, Board Certified, Boca Raton, Broward County, Concierge Medicine, Concierge Physician, Elderly, Florida, Internal Medicine, Overweight, Senior Citizens, South Palm Beach County, Weight Loss | Tagged: Eli Lilly, Ozempic, Semaglutide, SURMOUNT-1, Tirzepatide, Wegovy | Leave a comment »