AACE 2024: Weight loss may take longer for some on tirzepatide

In this this post hoc analysis of tirzepatide (TZP)-treated participants, researchers found that among slow responders who lost less than 5% body weight at week 12, 90% went on to achieve clinically meaningful weight reduction (≥5%) by week 72, with 60% achieving ≥5% to <15% weight reduction and 30% achieving ≥15% weight reduction. They concluded that it's reasonable to consider treatment for longer than 12 weeks to determine weight loss (WL) response to TZP, which takes at least 20 weeks to reach the highest dose.

• Slow responders were more likely to be male and had higher body weight, BMI, and waist circumference at baseline.
• At the end of dose titration (week 24), 70% of the slow responders achieved ≥5% weight reduction.
• At week 72, 90% of slow responders achieved ≥5% weight reduction. Furthermore, at week 72, 31% of slow responders achieved ≥5% to <10% WL, 29% achieved ≥10% to <15% WL, 13% achieved ≥15% to <20% WL, 10% achieved ≥20% to <25% WL, 4% achieved ≥25% to <30% WL, and 3% achieved ≥30% WL. Mean time to reach 5% WL for slow responders who went on to achieve ≥5% WL was 24.8 ± 12.7 weeks.
• Of the 1,545 participants in this analysis, there were 28 (1.8%) nonresponders who lost less than 5% body weight at week 72. Among these 28 participants, 4 had missed more than 3 consecutive doses of TZP and most were on TZP 5 mg (13 on TZP 5 mg, 9 on TZP 10 mg, and 6 on TZP 15 mg).

Source:

Gudzune, K., et al. (2024, May). Endocrine Practice. Weight reduction over time in tirzepatide-treated participants by early weight loss response – post hoc analysis in SURMOUNT-1. https://www.endocrinepractice.org/article/S1530-891X(24)00336-7/fulltext