A Narrative Review on Clinical Evidence of Tirzepatide’s Role in Addressing Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity Management

Abstract

Objective: Tirzepatide, a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) co-agonist, was initially approved for type 2 diabetes (T2D), and it later received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for managing overweight and obesity. This article aims to review the supporting clinical evidence of tirzepatide’s role in the treatment of T2D and obesity, shedding light on its potential impact on improving the health outcomes of individuals grappling with these conditions. Materials and methods: We obtained the clinical evidence from phase 1, 2, and 3 trials comprising the clinical development program for tirzepatide, SURPASS, and SURMONT for our review from the sources such as Google Scholar and PubMed. For studies reporting efficacy measures (e.g., changes in HbA1c levels, weight reduction), descriptive statistics were interpreted. For safety data, incidence rates of adverse events were reported. Results: Clinical trials across phases 1, 2, and 3 demonstrated that tirzepatide significantly reduced HbA1c levels and induced weight loss in diverse patient populations. The most commonly reported adverse events were gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea (15–20%), nausea (20–30%), vomiting (10–15%), and abdominal pain, which were generally mild to moderate. Less frequent side effects included headache, fatigue, and occasional injection site reactions. Severe adverse events such as pancreatitis (> 1%) and acute kidney injury were rare but required careful monitoring during treatment. Conclusions: Tirzepatide has shown a favorable safety profile and effective management of T2D and obesity in clinical trials. Current research is assessing its effects on cardiovascular outcomes and chronic kidney disease, which could broaden its therapeutic applications.