TIRZEPATIDE: Trending ‘Weight loss’ Drug– Potential Influence in Tackling Obesity Epidemic

Obesity is a chronic disease that is associated with severe complications. A lifestyle involving an increased appetite and reduced energy expenditure promotes weight gain. A better understanding of the endocrine regulation of appetite has led to the development of newer medications for the treatment of obesity. Among these medications is an incretin-based drug named tirzepatide. Many studies have been conducted in obese, insulin-resistant, and lipid-diet-fed mice to evaluate the effect of tirzepatide and its combination of GIP and GLP-1 agonism demonstrated higher anorectic activity by increasing satiety and satiation, decreasing liking for high-fat diets and decreasing sweet taste reference as compared to the effects of semaglutide. Adverse effects of mild gastrointestinal events and decreased appetite were reported with tirzepatide (which reduced after some time) than with placebo. In phase 3 SURPASS clinical trial optimized dose escalation scheme was adopted to improve gastrointestinal tolerability with an initial low dose of tirzepatide. The results of the SURPASS-1 trial showed significant improvement in glycemic control and durable bodyweight reductions with all the doses (3 doses) of tirzepatide compared to placebo in type 2 diabetic patients along with diet and exercise. Weight loss occurred regardless of whether participants reported any gastrointestinal adverse events and did not elevate over the period.