Tirzepatide Before and After: What the Trials Actually Measured

What weight loss did tirzepatide show in clinical trials?

In SURMOUNT-1, mean weight reductions at 72 weeks were roughly 15% at the 5 mg dose, approaching 20% at 10 mg, and above that at 15 mg, compared to a low-single-digit reduction on placebo.

Is tirzepatide's weight loss the same for everyone?

No. The effect is dose-dependent and varies by population, people with type 2 diabetes in SURMOUNT-2 lost proportionally less weight than the non-diabetes population studied in SURMOUNT-1.

How long do the tirzepatide trials last?

The pivotal SURMOUNT-1 and SURMOUNT-2 trials both ran over a 72-week protocol, not the short timelines implied by many transformation photos.

Is tirzepatide better than semaglutide?

The article notes SURPASS-2 is the trial most often cited for a head-to-head comparison against semaglutide, but states it could not verify SURPASS-2's specific dosing arms or 40-week duration with adequate sourcing.

What doses of tirzepatide were used in the trials?

The pivotal trials used subcutaneous tirzepatide at 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg once weekly, compared against placebo.