Eli Lilly's diabetes drug Mounjaro has been identified as more effective for weight loss than Novo Nordisk's Ozempic in overweight and obese adults, as per a recent real-world study. The analysis, conducted by Truveta Research, revealed that patients using Mounjaro achieved notably higher weight loss percentages compared to those on Ozempic.
The study analyzed health-care data from approximately 18,000 adults who are overweight or obese and commenced using either Mounjaro or Ozempic between May 2022 and September 2023. The findings showed that Mounjaro users were three times more likely to lose 15% of their body weight and had consistently larger reductions in body weight at three, six, and twelve months.
Patients taking Mounjaro experienced a 5.9% weight loss at three months, 10.1% at six months, and 15.2% at one year. In contrast, Ozempic users reported 3.6%, 5.9%, and 7.9% weight loss at these respective time intervals. The effectiveness of both drugs was similar in populations with and without Type 2 diabetes, and rates of adverse gastrointestinal events were comparable between the two groups.
Both Mounjaro and Ozempic, along with their weight-loss counterparts Zepbound and Wegovy, function by altering eating behaviors and decreasing appetite. Ozempic and Wegovy mimic the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which boosts fullness and reduces blood sugar levels. Mounjaro and Zepbound, on the other hand, mimic both GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), leading to a potentially more significant impact on appetite regulation and weight loss.
Eli Lilly's late-stage study on Zepbound in over 2,500 non-diabetic adults with obesity showed an average weight loss of 16% with a 5-milligram dose over 72 weeks. Higher doses led to even greater weight reduction, with a 15-milligram dose resulting in an average of 22.5% weight loss.
While Mounjaro and Ozempic are approved for treating Type 2 diabetes, their off-label use for weight loss has surged due to their efficacy. Despite this popularity, Eli Lilly has stated that they do not promote or encourage off-label usage of their medicines.
This study is significant as it offers concrete data on the comparative effectiveness of Mounjaro and Ozempic in real-world settings for overweight and obese adults. It provides valuable insights for healthcare providers and patients considering these treatments for weight management.
The increasing demand for effective weight loss solutions is evident, with more than 2 in 5 adults in the U.S. having obesity, and about 1 in 11 adults suffering from severe obesity. As the medical community continues to explore and understand the benefits and risks of these treatments, studies like this contribute crucial knowledge to guide informed decisions in weight management therapies.
