A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments for obesity in adults

Oct 2, 2025Nature medicine

How well and how safely medicines work to treat obesity in adults: a combined review and analysis

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Abstract

A total of 60,307 patients were enrolled across 56 clinical trials evaluating .

  • All obesity management medications (OMMs) significantly reduced percentage compared to placebo (P < 0.0001).
  • Semaglutide and tirzepatide led to more than 10% total body weight loss.
  • Both tirzepatide and semaglutide were associated with restoration of normal blood sugar levels and remission of type 2 diabetes.
  • Semaglutide was linked to a reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events and alleviation of pain in knee osteoarthritis.
  • Tirzepatide was associated with remission of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and improvement of liver fat in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.
  • The findings suggest a need for personalized selection of obesity management medications.

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Key numbers

10.6%
Weight Loss Improvement
Percentage of (TBWL%) for semaglutide and tirzepatide.
60,307 patients
Patient Enrollment
Total number of patients enrolled across all included trials.
67%
Weight Regain After Discontinuation
Average percentage of weight regained after discontinuation of semaglutide treatment.

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