COMPARISON BETWEEN TIRZEPATIDE AND SEMAGLUTIDE IN OBESITY MANAGEMENT: CURRENT EVIDENCE ON WEIGHT REDUCTION, METABOLIC PROFILE, AND TOLERABILITY

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial condition associated with high cardiometabolic risk, reduced quality of life, and lower life expectancy. Among the most promising pharmacological options for its treatment are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, and tirzepatide, which combines activity on both GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. This study presents a comparative review of these two drugs, analyzing efficacy, safety, tolerability, and clinical applicability based on recent randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses. The findings indicate that tirzepatide tends to promote slightly greater weight loss than semaglutide, possibly due to its dual mechanism of action, while semaglutide remains relevant due to its well-established safety profile and broad clinical use. Both drugs show a positive impact on weight control and improvement in metabolic parameters, with gastrointestinal adverse events being the most frequent. Therapeutic choice should consider individual factors, availability, and cost, emphasizing the need to combine these pharmacological interventions with sustainable lifestyle modification strategies.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2025.031-015