Semaglutide and Tirzepatide to Treat Obesity

his editorial discusses a head to head trial comparing tirzepatide and semaglutide for obesity treatment, revealing greater weight loss in women (6 percentage points) than in men, potentially due to testosterone’s anabolic effects in men. It highlights concerns about excessive loss of fat free mass (averaging 29% of total weight lost with GLP1 agonists) and its link to sarcopenia and fractures, as evidenced by increased hip fractures in older women using semaglutide. The piece calls for further research into muscle specific impacts and long-term risks of these therapies, emphasizing the need to balance efficacy with preservation of lean mass.

his editorial discusses a head to head trial comparing tirzepatide and semaglutide for obesity treatment, revealing greater weight loss in women (6 percentage points) than in men, potentially due to testosterone’s anabolic effects in men. It highlights concerns about excessive loss of fat free mass (averaging 29% of total weight lost with GLP1 agonists) and its link to sarcopenia and fractures, as evidenced by increased hip fractures in older women using semaglutide. The piece calls for further research into muscle specific impacts and long-term risks of these therapies, emphasizing the need to balance efficacy with preservation of lean mass.