may produce 4.23 kg greater weight loss compared to .
A meta-analysis included two randomized controlled trials and five retrospective cohorts.
Tirzepatide demonstrated a dose-dependent effect, with higher doses (> 10 mg) leading to significantly greater weight loss (6.50 kg) compared to lower doses (3.89 kg).
Weight loss was also found to be significantly greater with longer treatment durations (> 6 months: 5.00 kg) compared to shorter durations (3.50 kg).
The superiority of tirzepatide was consistent across both randomized controlled trials and retrospective cohort studies.
No publication bias was detected in the included studies, which were all rated as having good quality.
Simplified
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of versus in producing weight loss.
METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science on January 22, 2025, using search terms ("tirzepatide," "semaglutide," and "weight loss") and their alternatives, which yielded 751 studies in total. After deduplication, title/abstract and full text screening was conducted, and studies were assessed based on the eligibility criteria. After extracting the data, a meta-analysis (MA) was performed through RStudio. Heterogeneity among studies was evaluated with Cochran's Q and Itests. A random-effect model was used to calculate pooled "mean differences" (MDs). Study quality was estimated by Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) and Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) version 2 tool, and publication bias was estimated through forest plots and the Egger's test. 2
RESULTS: A total of two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and five retrospective cohorts were included in this MA. MA results showed that compared with the semaglutide, tirzepatide could produce significantly greater weight loss (MD = 4.23; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.22 - 5.25; P < 0.01). Subgroup analysis showed a dose- and duration-dependent significantly superior therapeutic effect of tirzepatide (> 10 mg dose: MD = 6.50, 95% CI: 5.93 - 7.08, P < 0.01 vs. ≤ 10 mg: MD = 3.89, 95% CI: 2.12 - 5.65, P < 0.01) (> 6 months duration: MD = 5.00, 95% CI: 3.48 - 6.52, P < 0.01 vs. ≤ 6 months: MD = 3.50, 95% CI: 2.24 - 4.75, P < 0.01). The supremacy of tirzepatide was maintained in both types of studies: RCTs and retrospective cohorts. No publication bias was found through forest plots visually or Egger's test (Egger's regression asymmetry test P value 0.94). Study quality estimated by NOS revealed the quality of each study as "good" (≥ 7 points) and that estimated by the Cochrane RoB tool revealed "low" RoB.
CONCLUSION: The pooled analysis provides evidence that tirzepatide is better than semaglutide in reducing body weight, regardless of study design. A dose-response relationship exists, and the weight loss magnitude increases with the dose or duration of tirzepatide. The studies that provide this evidence are of high quality and have a low RoB.
Key numbers
4.23 kg
Mean Weight Loss Increase
Average weight loss difference between and .
6.50 kg
Weight Loss by Dose > 10 mg
Average weight loss for doses greater than 10 mg.
5.00 kg
Weight Loss by Duration > 6 months
Average weight loss for treatment longer than 6 months.
Full Text
We can’t show the full text here under this license.
