14.7% Average Loss With Tirzepatide in Type 2 Diabetes
SURMOUNT-2 evaluated tirzepatide in adults who had both overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes. Its headline 14.7% result is the 15 mg dose-arm average at week 72 under trial eligibility and follow-up conditions—not a result that can be assumed for people without diabetes or for a particular telehealth program.
At week 72, mean body-weight change was −12.8% with tirzepatide 10 mg and −14.7% with 15 mg, versus −3.2% with placebo.
The estimated difference versus placebo was −9.6 percentage points for the 10 mg dose and −11.6 percentage points for the 15 mg dose. Between 79% and 83% of tirzepatide participants reached at least 5% weight reduction, compared with 32% of placebo participants. Gastrointestinal events, including nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting, were the most frequent adverse events and were mostly mild to moderate.
Turn the study result into a better program comparison
A positive result in a defined diabetes population can help frame questions, but it cannot select a program. Compare GLP-1 providers on the plans they offer, clinician access, medication status, public price terms, follow-up, and enrollment conditions. These reviewed brands have category-matched GLP-1 offers; none participated in or is endorsed by this study.
From $49 – $129/mo · Editorial score 4.7/5
Featured value terms: semaglutide $49/mo or tirzepatide $89/mo with 12-month prepayment; $99/$129 month to month.
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Study details
- Population
- 938 adults with BMI of at least 27 and type 2 diabetes, with baseline HbA1c from 7% to 10%
- Follow-up
- 72 weeks
- Treatment comparison
- Once-weekly subcutaneous tirzepatide 10 mg or 15 mg compared with placebo
- Study design
- Phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
A study result is not a personal treatment plan
This study does not determine whether tirzepatide is appropriate for an individual, how diabetes medicines should be managed, what a provider can prescribe, or what insurance will cover. The studied population had type 2 diabetes and specific HbA1c and BMI criteria. Those clinical and coverage decisions require a licensed clinician and current plan terms.
Compare tirzepatide and semaglutide programsWhat this result does not show
- The enrolled population had type 2 diabetes, BMI of at least 27, and baseline HbA1c from 7% to 10%, so the results do not directly establish outcomes for people without diabetes or outside those criteria.
- The trial compared tirzepatide with placebo rather than another active weight-management medicine.
- Only the 10 mg and 15 mg regimens were studied here, and the 72-week duration does not establish longer-term maintenance or safety.
- The study does not compare telehealth providers, affordability, insurance coverage, pharmacy access, or individual treatment outcomes.
- The study was funded by Eli Lilly; the peer-reviewed paper and disclosure materials are linked at the end of this article.
Related Studies
Explore other peer-reviewed results in Evidence Watch before comparing programs or discussing options with a clinician.
Primary peer-reviewed source
Read the full paper, methodology, conflict-of-interest disclosures, and supplementary materials before drawing conclusions beyond this plain-English summary.
Read the study at The Lancet