Recent clinical trial data reveals that adults using Zepbound experience greater weight loss compared to those taking the rival weight-loss medication Wegovy. Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Zepbound, shared results from their SURMOUNT-5 phase clinical trial on Wednesday, marking the first direct comparison between the two GLP-1-based drugs.
These medications work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone to suppress appetite, but Zepbound’s active ingredient, tirzepatide, also replicates the effects of the GIP hormone, which may further aid in controlling food intake.
Eli Lilly highlights Zepbound’s dual-action edge over Wegovy
The trial results indicate that adults on Zepbound achieve 47 percent more weight loss than those using Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy. Over an 18-month period, Zepbound users lost approximately 20 percent of their body weight, while Wegovy users saw an average reduction of 14 percent. This equates to an average weight loss of 50 pounds with Zepbound compared to 33 pounds with Wegovy over the same timeframe.
Participants using Zepbound also had a higher likelihood of reaching massive weight loss milestones. According to Eli Lilly, 32 percent of Zepbound users lost at least 25 percent of their body weight, compared to 16 percent of Wegovy users achieving the same target.
Highlighting the importance of the trial, Leonard C. Glass, senior vice president of global medical affairs at Lilly Cardiometabolic Health, noted that the findings aim to assist patients and healthcare providers in making informed treatment decisions.
Glass emphasized Zepbound’s unique position as the only FDA-approved dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist obesity medication, describing it as a transformative tool for managing chronic obesity. The trial’s findings are set to be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at a medical conference in 2025.
In response, a Novo Nordisk spokesperson highlighted Wegovy’s additional benefits, including its ability to reduce risks of cardiovascular events in individuals with obesity or heart disease. They stressed the importance of addressing obesity without stigma and reaffirmed the robust data supporting semaglutide’s efficacy in treating the condition.
