{"id":121666,"date":"2025-05-22T04:59:25","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T04:59:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/121666\/"},"modified":"2025-05-22T04:59:25","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T04:59:25","slug":"zepbound-more-effective-than-wegovy-clinical-trial-shows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/121666\/","title":{"rendered":"Zepbound More Effective Than Wegovy, Clinical Trial Shows"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Eli-Lilly-Zepbound-injection-pen-1296x728-header.jpg\" alt=\"Eli Lilly Zepbound injection\" class=\"css-1jytyml\"\/><a class=\"icon-hl-pinterest css-1dn5h5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" data-event=\"Any Page|Image Pinterest Click|Icon Clicked\" data-element-event=\"OPEN|CONTENTBLOCK|Any Page|Article Body|BUTTON|Image Widget Pinterest Click|\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthline.com%2Fhealth-news%2Fzepbound-wegovy-weight-loss-clinical-trial-eli-lilly&amp;media=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.post.rvohealth.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F05%2FEli-Lilly-Zepbound-injection-pen-1296x728-header.jpg&amp;description=Weight%20Loss%3A%20Zepbound%20More%20Effective%20Than%20Wegovy%2C%20Clinical%20Trial%20Shows\" title=\"Share on Pinterest\" data-pin-custom=\"true\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Eli-Lilly-Zepbound-injection-pen-1296x728-header.jpg\">Share on Pinterest<\/a> Tirzepatide (Zepbound) led to more weight loss than semaglutide (Wegovy) in a clinical trial funded by Eli Lilly. Shelby Knowles\/Bloomberg\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Zepbound<\/strong> <strong>outperformed Wegovy for weight loss in a clinical trial sponsored by Eli Lilly.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Participants who received tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound, also had greater reductions in waist size and more significant improvements in metabolic risk factors.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Tirzepatide\u2019s dual effects on GLP-1 and GIP may explain its superior performance over semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Lack of insurance coverage and high costs remain a barrier to obtaining tirzepatide.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Eli Lilly\u2019s weight loss drug Zepbound outperformed competitor Novo Nordisk\u2019s Wegovy, according to a clinical trial funded by Lilly.<\/p>\n<p>The SURMOUNT-5 trial, a Phase 3b open-label clinical trial, examined the safety and efficacy of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/drugs\/zepbound\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tirzepatide<\/a>, the active ingredient in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/nutrition\/buy-zepbound-online\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Zepbound<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>When compared with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/drugs\/wegovy\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">semaglutide (Wegovy)<\/a>, which is selective for one type of receptor versus the two targeted by tirzepatide, Zepbound was found to be more effective.<\/p>\n<p>Study participants using tirzepatide lost more weight after 72 weeks (average loss of 20.2% compared to 13.7% for semaglutide). This translates to an average of 50.3 pounds for those using tirzepatide and 33.1 pounds for those using semaglutide.<\/p>\n<p>It was additionally noted that significantly more tirzepatide users achieved at least 15.0% weight loss and a greater reduction in their waist circumference.<\/p>\n<p>Lilly\u2019s study compared the drugs tirzepatide and semaglutide in adults with obesity but without diabetes.<\/p>\n<p>Altogether, 751 individuals were randomly assigned to receive the maximum tolerated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/drugs\/zepbound-dosage\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">dose<\/a> of one of the two medications on a weekly basis. Of these, 750 received at least one dose.<\/p>\n<p>However, tirzepatide was more likely to help participants achieve major weight-loss milestones.<\/p>\n<p>Nearly one-third (32%) of participants experienced a 25% or more body weight reduction due to tirzepatide. By comparison, those who received semaglutide experienced a 16% reduction in body weight. <\/p>\n<p>Side effects were mostly mild to moderate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/digestion-problems\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">gastrointestinal issues<\/a> such as nausea and diarrhea, occurring mainly during dose increases. <\/p>\n<p>Although both medications had similar overall safety profiles, semaglutide users experienced slightly more treatment discontinuations due to gastrointestinal side effects. <\/p>\n<p>Tirzepatide users reported more injection-site reactions, like redness or irritation, but these were generally not severe.<\/p>\n<p>Still, some experts, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.peachiv.com\/our-team\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\">Austin Shuxiao<\/a>, MD, a board certified internal medicine physician and founder of Peach IV, who was not involved in the study, advised caution in interpreting the results.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is important to point out that Eli Lilly is both the maker of Zepbound and the sponsor for this study,\u201d he told Healthline.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis represents a clear conflict of interest, which is common in these head-to-head studies, and is always good to keep in mind before we take the study at face value,\u201d Shuxiao noted.<\/p>\n<p>Experts suggest that tirzepatide\u2019s dual mechanism of action, targeting two metabolic receptors, may explain its superior weight-loss results compared to semaglutide\u2019s single-receptor approach. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sleepopolis.com\/experts\/dr-raj-dasgupta\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\">Raj Dasgupta<\/a>, MD, chief medical advisor for Sleepopolis, who was also not a part of the study, explained that it is believed that tirzepatide acts on both GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptors and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors.<\/p>\n<p>Semaglutide, however, only acts on GLP-1 receptors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat second pathway seems to give Zepbound an extra edge when it comes to appetite control and how the body handles energy and fat,\u201d Dasgupta told Healthline.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn real-world terms, that means many patients on Zepbound are losing more weight than those on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/drugs\/wegovy-for-weight-loss\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wegovy<\/a>,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n<p>Dasgupta described the results of the trial as a \u201cbig deal\u2019 for people with obesity. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe now have more than one highly effective option, and Zepbound seems to be leading the pack,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>An important implication, for instance, is that if a person doesn\u2019t respond well or experiences intolerable side effects with one weight loss medication, they have another option to try.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat kind of flexibility is important because weight loss isn\u2019t the same journey for everyone,\u201d Dasgupta said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you\u2019ve plateaued or had a tough time with side effects, it\u2019s worth asking your doctor whether Zepbound might be a better fit,\u201d he advised.<\/p>\n<p>However, if you\u2019re doing well on Wegovy, there\u2019s no need to switch, he noted. <\/p>\n<p>Of course, it\u2019s important to keep in mind that no single medication is a magic bullet for weight loss.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe best results still come when people combine these treatments with changes in diet, sleep, movement, and stress \u2014 things we work on together over time,\u201d Dasgupta said.<\/p>\n<p>Shuxiao said that while tirzepatide could become a first-line choice for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/obesity\/treatments-to-manage-obesity\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">obesity treatment<\/a>, it\u2019s more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/drugs\/zepbound-cost\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">expensive<\/a> and tends to be less covered by insurance.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cInsurance will dictate patients\u2019 access to medication, not clinical preference,\u201d he said, noting that he has greater difficulty getting tirzepatide approved for his patients, especially if they have suboptimal insurance plans.<\/p>\n<p>Still, Shuxiao said he feels that anyone who is in the overweight-obesity BMI range should consider GLP-1 medications, provided there are no contraindications.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGLP-1 agonists are the most effective <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/anti-obesity-medication\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">weight loss medication<\/a> in human history, and if they are proven free of long-term side effects, they will remain a staple in modern medicine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>The SURMOUNT-5 trial reinforces tirzepatide\u2019s role as a leading treatment option for obesity, offering greater weight loss and metabolic benefits than semaglutide in adults without diabetes. <\/p>\n<p>With its dual-targeting mechanism acting on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, tirzepatide appears to provide more robust <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/nutrition\/ways-reduce-hunger-appetite\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">appetite regulation<\/a> and fat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/metabolism-test\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">metabolism<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>While both medications were generally well tolerated, differences in side effect profiles and insurance coverage may guide individual treatment decisions.<\/p>\n<p>Experts agree that the findings are encouraging, but also stress the importance of a holistic approach to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/weight-management-strategies\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">weight management<\/a>. Medication alone isn\u2019t a cure \u2014 sustainable success still hinges on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/fitness-nutrition\/healthy-lifestyle-benefits\" class=\"content-link css-1c2ok3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">long-term lifestyle changes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>As more options become available, patients and providers can better tailor treatment to individual needs and preferences. <\/p>\n<p>However, the financial accessibility of these medications remains a concern. As research continues and coverage improves, tirzepatide may become a cornerstone of obesity care \u2014 but only if patients can afford to access it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Share on Pinterest Tirzepatide (Zepbound) led to more weight loss than semaglutide (Wegovy) in a clinical trial funded&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":121667,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4315],"tags":[105,4326,16,15,54219],"class_list":{"0":"post-121666","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-medication","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-medication","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom","12":"tag-zepbound-wegovy-weight-loss-clinical-trial"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114549723161978813","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121666","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=121666"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121666\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/121667"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=121666"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=121666"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=121666"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}