Tirzepatide vs Ozempic: Which One is Better for Weight Loss?
Losing weight can be a challenge for many people, and finding the right weight loss strategy can be even more difficult. In recent years, there has been a surge in the development of novel drugs that can help with weight loss. Two of these drugs that have gained popularity are Tirzepatide and Ozempic. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast these two drugs, discussing their efficacy and safety in helping with weight loss.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is an injectable given once a week that aids in weight loss and offers advantages for those with type 2 diabetes. The drug functions by simulating the actions of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone, which the body secretes in reaction to food intake. GLP-1 aids in controlling blood sugar levels and suppressing hunger. Tirzepatide is a tri-molecular compound that gives it greater potency than other GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic. Clinical trials have demonstrated that the drug helps people lose weight. In one study, participants who took tirzepatide over a 72-week period lost an average of 15.9% of their body weight. Particularly when compared to other weight reduction drugs, this is a significant amount of weight loss. Tirozepatide does have certain negative effects, though. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are some of the most typical adverse reactions. Often mild to moderate, these side effects get better with time. Rarely, the medicine may result in more severe adverse effects such as thyroid tumors, kidney damage, or pancreatitis.
Ozempic
Another GLP-1 agonist on the market for a while is ozempic. The drug lowers hunger and helps to control blood sugar levels via a once-weekly injection. Clinical investigations have demonstrated the effectiveness of Ozempic in helping people lose weight. Over the course of a 26-week experiment, those taking Ozempic lost an average of 5% of their body weight.
Safety of Tirzepatide and Ozempic
Both Tirzepatide and Ozempic are generally safe and well-tolerated, but they can cause side effects. Common side effects of both drugs include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, tirzepatide has been found to be associated with a higher risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) than Ozempic, particularly in people with type 2 diabetes. Another potential side effect of tirzepatide is an increased risk of thyroid tumors. However, this risk appears to be small. Nonetheless, individuals with a personal or family history of thyroid cancer should exercise caution when considering tirzepatide.
Conclusion
Tirzepatide and Ozempic are both effective drugs for weight loss, but tirzepatide appears to be more effective than Ozempic in promoting weight loss and improving cardiovascular disease risk factors. However, tirzepatide may carry a slightly higher risk of hypoglycemia and thyroid tumors than Ozempic. Ultimately, the decision to use one of these drugs should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider, who can help determine the best approach for each individual.
It's worth noting that the medication you might be prescribed is a compounded medication and not related to Novo Nordisk™ company or any brand-name medications such as Saxenda®, Victoza®, Wegovy®, or Ozempic®.
References
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1607141
- https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04184622
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
- https://www.ozempic.com/why-ozempic/what-is-ozempic.html#weight
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3631884/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23859800/
