GLP-1 and Obesity: How These Drugs Treat It
In SURMOUNT-1, people on tirzepatide 15 mg weekly lost 20.9% of their body weight on average, against 3.1% on placebo.
- Average loss, top dose
- 20.9%
- Trial
- SURMOUNT-1
- Placebo
- 3.1%
A quick look at half-life and weight loss
According to section 12.3 in each FDA label, half-life in days is how long your body needs to remove half a dose.
Percentage of body weight. Because trials differed in doses and lengths, compare every result with its placebo on the relevant page.
What the trials found about weight loss
| Trial | Dose group | Average weight lost | Placebo or comparison | Weeks | Who was in it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEP 1 | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 14.9% | 2.4% | 68 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| OASIS 4 | Wegovy pill 25 mg daily | 13.6% | 2.4% | 64 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| SURMOUNT-1 | Tirzepatide 15 mg weekly | 20.9% | 3.1% | 72 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| SURMOUNT-2 | Tirzepatide 15 mg weekly | 14.7% | 3.2% | 72 | Adults with type 2 diabetes who had obesity or overweight |
| SURMOUNT-5 | Tirzepatide 10 or 15 mg weekly (Zepbound) | 20.2% | Head-to-head trial | 72 | Adults with obesity, without type 2 diabetes |
| SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes | Liraglutide 3.0 mg daily | 7.4% | 3% | 56 | Adults with obesity or overweight who did not have type 2 diabetes |
| ATTAIN-1 | Foundayo 17.2 mg daily | 11.1% | 2.1% | 72 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| ATTAIN-2 | Foundayo 17.2 mg daily | 9.6% | 2.5% | 72 | Adults with type 2 diabetes who had obesity or overweight |
| STEP 2 | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 9.6% | 3.4% | 68 | Adults with type 2 diabetes who had obesity or overweight |
| STEP-HFpEF | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 13.3% | 2.6% | 52 | Adults with obesity plus heart failure with preserved ejection fraction |
Sources: STEP 1 (FDA label (DailyMed)), SURMOUNT-1 (FDA label (DailyMed)), SURMOUNT-2 (PubMed), SURMOUNT-5 (PubMed), SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (FDA label (DailyMed)), ATTAIN-1 (FDA label (DailyMed)), STEP 2 (PubMed), STEP-HFpEF (PubMed).
Which GLP-1s are approved for obesity
| Medicine | Approved use (label) |
|---|---|
 Wegovy | For adults with heart disease who have obesity or overweight, these injections and tablets help prevent heart attack, stroke, and heart-related death. |
 Zepbound | Along with diet and activity, this medicine supports long-term weight loss and helps adults maintain it. It applies to adults with obesity, or overweight and a weight-related condition. |
 Foundayo | Along with diet and activity, this medicine supports long-term weight loss and helps adults maintain it. It applies to adults with obesity, or overweight and a weight-related condition. |
 Saxenda | It covers losing weight and keeping the weight off for the long term through diet and activity. It includes adults with obesity, and children with obesity who are 12 and older (over 60 kg). It also includes adults with overweight and a condition related to weight. |
Source: FDA label (DailyMed).