Efficacy and safety of tirzepatide in overweight and obese individuals with type 1 diabetes

A new study in the peer-reviewed journal Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics (DTT) evaluated the use of tirzepatide in overweight/obese adults with type 1 diabetes. Click here to read the article now.

Tirzepatide is approved for managing type 2 diabetes. It improves glucose control, facilitates weight loss, and improves cardiovascular disease outcomes.

Satish Garg, MD, from the University of Colorado Denver, and coauthors, compared a group of adults with type 1 diabetes who were prescribed tirzepatide (off-label) to a control group of adults with type 1 diabetes who were not using any weight-loss medication. The investigators reported significantly larger declines in body mass index (BMI) and weight in the treated group compared to controls. HbA1c decreased in the treated group as early as three months and was sustained through a one-year follow-up. Insulin dose decreased at 3 months in the treated group and throughout the study period.

“We conclude that tirzepatide facilitated an average 18.5% weight loss (>46 pounds) and improved glucose control in patients with T1D at one year,” stated the investigators.

“Most of the patients with diabetes, both type 1 diabetes (T1D) and T2D are either overweight or obese in the United States and Western Europe,” state Satish Garg, MD, and coauthors of an accompanying Editorial. The newer therapies for diabetes, which are known to not only improve glucose control but also cause significant weight loss and improve cardiovascular disease and diabetic kidney disease are currently not approved in the U.S. for use in type 1 diabetes. “Using GLP analogs in patients with T1D poses many challenges, but with close follow-up both patients and the healthcare provider may see many benefits such as significant weight loss and reduction of insulin dose, increased time-in-range on continuous glucose monitoring, and improve HbA1c levels,” state the authors. Long -term side-effects like gastroparesis, GERD, Cholelithiasis etc. from use of GLP analogs in patients with diabetes are not known. The authors recommend proper randomized control trials especially in patients with T1D.

About the Journal
Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics (DTT) is a monthly peer-reviewed journal that covers new technology and new products for the treatment, monitoring, diagnosis, and prevention of diabetes and its complications. Led by Editor-in-Chief Satish Garg, MD, University of Colorado Denver, Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes, the Journal covers breakthrough technologies and new therapeutic drug classes, behavioral aspects and approaches to diabetes care, and the latest advancements and applications of new and emerging technologies including continuous glucose monitoring, alternate insulin delivery methods, artificial pancreas, telemedicine and computerized case management, new insulins with ultra-rapid onset of action, and detection and prevention of hypoglycemia. Tables of contents and a free sample issue may be viewed on the Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics (DTT) website. DTT is the official journal of the International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD).

About the Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. is a global media company dedicated to creating, curating, and delivering impactful peer-reviewed research and authoritative content services to advance the fields of biotechnology and the life sciences, specialized clinical medicine, and public health and policy. For complete information, please visit the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. website.