The takeaway
In adults with type 2 diabetes already taking basal insulin, tirzepatide improved blood sugar and reduced weight compared with placebo over 40 weeks.
What changed?
The trial randomized 475 adults taking insulin glargine, with or without metformin. Blood sugar was the primary outcome; weight was a key secondary outcome. These treatment-regimen estimates include treatment stopping or rescue medication, with statistical estimates for missing measurements.
475 adults randomized; treatment-regimen estimates
Original visual based on the study.
| Group or measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Tirzepatide 5 mg | −5.4 kg |
| Tirzepatide 10 mg | −7.5 kg |
| Tirzepatide 15 mg | −8.8 kg |
| Placebo | +1.6 kg |
The trade-offs
Digestive side effects were common. Adverse events led to treatment stopping in 6.0%–10.8% of tirzepatide participants versus 2.5% with placebo. Three severe low-blood-sugar episodes occurred among tirzepatide participants.
What this means
This was a monitored diabetes trial with an insulin-adjustment protocol. It does not tell people how to adjust insulin themselves or predict results for people without diabetes. Of 475 participants, 451 finished the study; 424 completed treatment. Lilly funded and participated in the trial.