December 4, 2024 – In a groundbreaking clinical trial, Eli Lilly & Co.’s new weight-loss drug, Zepbound, has emerged as a superior option to Wegovy, its leading competitor. The trial results, released today, highlight that Zepbound helped participants achieve significantly greater weight loss compared to Wegovy, offering new hope for those struggling with obesity.
The study, which involved 751 overweight and obese adults across the United States, tested the two drugs at their highest doses. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either weekly injections of Zepbound or Wegovy. After 72 weeks, those on Zepbound lost an average of 20.2% of their body weight—roughly 50 pounds—while those on Wegovy lost an average of 13.7%, or about 33 pounds.
Dr. Leonard Glass, Senior Vice President of Global Medical Affairs at Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, expressed his enthusiasm about the results, stating, “We are thrilled that today’s findings show Zepbound’s superior weight loss performance, helping patients achieve 47% more relative weight loss compared to Wegovy.” He emphasized that the trial was conducted to support healthcare providers and patients in making informed treatment decisions as the demand for obesity medications continues to rise.
While this is the first randomized clinical trial directly comparing the two drugs, the findings have not yet been peer-reviewed. However, earlier studies have also suggested that Zepbound outperforms Wegovy in terms of weight loss, although those studies relied on pre-existing data rather than new clinical research.
Both Zepbound and Wegovy are part of the GLP-1 class of drugs, which work by mimicking hormones that help reduce appetite and food intake. Zepbound contains tirzepatide, the same active ingredient used in Eli Lilly’s diabetes medication, Mounjaro. Wegovy, on the other hand, contains semaglutide, which is also used in Novo Nordisk’s popular diabetes drug, Ozempic.
Despite the promising results for Zepbound, medical experts have cautioned that both drugs deliver impressive weight-loss outcomes. Dr. Susan Spratt, an endocrinologist at Duke Health, noted, “The amount of weight loss with both is astounding.” Dr. Christopher McGowan, a gastroenterologist running a weight-loss clinic in North Carolina, echoed this sentiment, adding that while the side effects of both drugs, including abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, are similar, his patients tend to report better experiences with Zepbound.
Zepbound’s additional advantage may lie in its potential beyond weight loss. Research has suggested that it could be a promising treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, a common condition associated with obesity. Meanwhile, Wegovy has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease in individuals with obesity, further emphasizing the need for more comprehensive data comparing these drugs’ long-term health benefits.
Both drugs have become highly sought after in the weight-loss market, but Dr. McGowan points out that cost, availability, and insurance coverage often play a critical role in patients’ choices. “Most patients who seek GLP-1 treatments choose whichever they can obtain based on those factors, rather than being able to select between the two drugs,” he explained.
With obesity rates continuing to rise globally, the ongoing development of effective weight-loss treatments like Zepbound and Wegovy marks an important step in addressing this public health crisis. As more data becomes available, it will help clarify the best options for patients based on individual needs, preferences, and health outcomes.
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