Incretin-Based Therapies for Weight Loss and Diabetes: Comparing the Clinical Impact of Tirzepatide and Semaglutide
Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Diabetes and obesity have steadily become one of the largest factors leading to death and disability around the globe, which require additional help from incretin-based therapies. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, while tirzepatide is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide/glucagon-like peptide-1 (GIP/GLP-1) receptor agonist, with both of their receptors found in vast parts of the body. Both of these drugs decrease glucose levels, delay gastric emptying, and suppress appetite. This review compares effectiveness of semaglutide and tirzepatide in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. In the treatment of type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide performed superiorly, with the highest dose decreasing glycated hemoglobin levels by 2.3 percentage points; meanwhile, semaglutide decreased by 1.86 percentage points from the baseline. In the treatment of obesity, tirzepatide was also more effective than semaglutide, reducing the weight by 15.3 percentage points after 12 months, whereas those using semaglutide had a reduction of weight by 8.3 percentage points. The reason for its higher performance is linked to tirzepatide being a dual agonist, activating both GLP-1 and GIP receptors; meanwhile, semaglutide only activates GLP-1 receptors. Even though it performed better, tirzepatide had a higher rate of side effects than semaglutide. Overall, the field of incretin-based therapies is evolving, with research on new therapies such as inhaled GLP-1 receptor agonists and testing their use for other non-gastrointestinal related diseases.
Author: Fuentes-Cortez, Miguel A.
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7163844224