GLP-1 weight loss drugs effective even at low starter doses
The GLP-1 drugs semaglutide, sold as Ozempic and Wegovy by Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly's tirzepatide, sold under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound, are prescribed initially at a low dose followed by gradual titration to higher doses, to help the body adjust and minimize side effects
A new study indicates that patients taking the GLP-1 obesity drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide at low starter doses may still lose some weight, despite experiencing fewer side effects such as nausea and constipation than those taking higher doses. The research, published in Biology Methods & Protocols, analyzed data from 534 patients who remained on semaglutide at the 0.25-milligram starter dose and another 534 patients who continued tirzepatide at the 2.5-mg starter dose for at least six months.
At one year, the average weight loss was 5.5% with tirzepatide and 2.2% with semaglutide, compared to 20.2% and 13.7% respectively among those who escalated to higher maintenance doses. Although patients taking lower doses lost less weight, they experienced fewer kidney-related adverse events with semaglutide, such as chronic renal disease worsening, compared to tirzepatide.
However, patients on low-dose semaglutide had higher rates of ear inflammation, heavy sweating, and ankle swelling compared to tirzepatide. The study emphasizes the need for awareness that lower-than-recommended doses of these drugs can still lead to weight loss, despite having a different adverse event profile.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu - Sci-Tech's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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