In a recent head-to-head clinical trial, Eli Lilly’s Zepbound demonstrated superior weight loss outcomes compared to Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy. Participants using tirzepatide, marketed as Zepbound, lost an average of 50 pounds over 72 weeks, while those on semaglutide, or Wegovy, lost about 33 pounds. This study, funded by Eli Lilly and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, highlights the effectiveness of tirzepatide, which targets both GLP-1 and GIP hormones, versus semaglutide, which only targets GLP-1. Dr. Louis Aronne, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine, noted that both drugs are crucial for treating obesity, affecting approximately 40% of American adults. The trial involved 751 participants across the U.S., with those on Zepbound losing about 20% of their body weight on average, compared to nearly 14% for Wegovy users. Side effects were mostly mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues, with dropout rates due to adverse events being slightly lower for Zepbound users. Despite Zepbound’s success, CVS Health plans to favor Wegovy on its standard formulary starting July 1.
— new from NBC News
