Efficacy and safety of GLP-1 agonists in the treatment of T2DM: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Jul 6, 2025Scientific reports

Effectiveness and safety of GLP-1 drugs for treating type 2 diabetes

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Abstract

A total of 25,572 participants were included across 64 trials comparing glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for type 2 diabetes treatment.

  • Tirzepatide showed the greatest reduction in by 2.3% and fasting plasma glucose by 3.1 mmol/L compared to placebo.
  • Semaglutide and liraglutide also reduced HbA1-c and fasting plasma glucose, but to a lesser extent.
  • Significant reductions in body weight were observed with tirzepatide (9.1 kg), semaglutide (2.8 kg), and liraglutide (1.2 kg) compared to placebo.
  • All treatments did not show significant differences in body mass index, blood pressure, or cholesterol levels compared to placebo.
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists are associated with a higher risk of gastrointestinal symptoms; semaglutide increases the risk of hypoglycemia while liraglutide reduces it compared to traditional antidiabetic drugs.
  • Tirzepatide may be more suitable for treating type 2 diabetes in individuals with obesity, while semaglutide and liraglutide could be more effective for those with normal weight.

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Key numbers

-2.3%
Reduction in
compared to placebo.
9.1 kg
Weight Loss
compared to placebo.
-3.1 mmol/L
Reduction
compared to placebo.

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