2023-12-15 09:18:43
At the end of November 2023, the American Medicines Agency authorized the placing on the American market of a new analogue of GLP-1 once morest obesity, tirzepatide, followed on December 11, 2023 by the European Medicines Agency. Less than a month later, researchers have just published a study in the scientific journal JAMA on the change in weight following stopping treatment. What should we conclude from this?
GLP-1 analogues, drugs once morest type 2 diabetes and obesity
GLP-1 analogues (Glucagon-Like Peptide -1) were initially developed for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. But quickly, their mode of action aroused the interest of researchers trying to develop new therapeutic solutions once morest obesity.
Indeed, if GLP-1 analogues make it possible to better regulate the glycemic balance of diabetic patients, by acting on the secretions of insulin and glucagon, they also exert two interesting effects in body weight control :
- They slow down gastric emptying, that is to say the fact that the stomach empties its contents following a meal. The feeling of satiety is thus maintained for longer;
- They reduce food intake by reducing feelings of hunger.
Tested in clinical trials, several GLP-1 analogues have made it possible to obtain significant weight loss in overweight or obese patientswhether they are diabetic or not.
Also read – A new anti-obesity drug authorized in the USA
How does body weight change following stopping obesity treatment?
Currently, in France, only one GLP-1 analogue, liraglutide, is available for the treatment of obesity. It is reserved for certain severe forms of obesity, when hygienic and dietary measures do not sufficiently reduce body weight. The effectiveness of the treatment is evaluated 12 weeks following its implementation. If the weight loss is at least 5% of the initial body weight, the treatment is considered effective and continued. Otherwise, it is stopped.
In the USA, in November 2023, the American Medicines Agency authorized a new analogue of GLP-1, also analogue of GIP (Glucose Insulinotropic Peptide), le tirzépatide, for the treatment of obesity. And on December 11, 2023, the European Medicines Agency granted European marketing authorization for this medicine. While the European Medicines Agency is studying the application for placing it on the European market, researchers have just published new data on this drug.
In a phase 3 clinical trial conducted at 70 sites in 4 different countries, 783 obese participants were recruited. At inclusion, they had a BMI greater than 30 kg/m² or greater than 27 kg/m² with associated comorbidity. For the first 36 weeks, all participants received tirzepatide. Then they were randomly divided into two groups:
- One group received a placebo for the following 52 weeks (placebo group);
- One group continued to receive tirzepatide for the same duration (tirzepatide group).
Read also – March 4: World Obesity Day
Continue treatment to maintain weight loss!
At the end of the first period of the study, participants had lost an average of 20.9% of their initial body weight, confirming significant effectiveness of tirzepatide. Over the next 52 weeks, participants in the placebo group regained an average of 14% of their initial weight, while participants in the tirzepatide group continued to lose weight, an average of 5.5% of their initial weight.
With respect for hygienic and dietary measures, namely a healthy and balanced diet and regular and appropriate physical activity, tirzepatide not only allows maintain weight loss, but also increase it. Thus, almost 90% of participants in the tirzepatide group had maintained at least 80% of their initial weight loss, compared to only 16.6% in the placebo group.
Such data suggest that GLP-1 analogue therapy should be continued to maintain weight loss. On the contrary, stopping treatment is associated with a risk of weight regain. But then for how long will the treatment have to be maintained to avoid weight regain?
Also read – Is obesity linked to a dysfunction of the appetite control center?
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
Sources
– Continued Treatment With Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction in Adults With Obesityjamanetwork.com. Accessed December 15, 2023.
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