Efficacy and Safety of Tirzepatide As Novel Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Background And Aims: This study aims to explore the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: Using specific keywords, we comprehensively go through the potential articles on Europe PMC, Scopus, PubMed, and ClinicalTrials.gov sources until July 12th, 2022. We collected all clinical trials that compare tirzepatide 5, 10, or 15 mg once-weekly with placebo or other glucose lowering agents in adult patients with T2D.

Results: Nine clinical trials were included. Our pooled analysis revealed the dose-dependent superiority of tirzepatide in reducing HbA, ranging from -1.50% with 5 mg to -1.80% with 15 mg when compared with placebo, -0.61% with 5 mg to -0.95% with 15 mg when compared with GLP-1 receptor agonist, and -0.70% with 5 mg to 1.09% with 15 mg when compared with basal insulin. The dose-dependent superiority of tirzepatide was also seen in the bodyweight reduction effect with all comparators. These superiorities were not accompanied by increased odds of hypoglycemia, but there is an increase in gastrointestinal adverse events incidence.

Conclusions: Tirzepatide has shown superiority in glycemic control and bodyweight reduction with a good safety profile in patients with T2D. Tirzepatide may become a future potential drug in the management of T2D.