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Study: Stay on Starter GLP-1 Doses for Less Nausea, Some Weight Loss
1 Sep
Summary
- Low starter doses of GLP-1 drugs yield modest weight loss, averaging 5.5% to 2.2%.
- Patients on low doses report significantly less nausea and constipation.
- Semaglutide may offer better kidney outcomes than tirzepatide even at low doses.
Individuals continuing on the lowest starter doses of GLP-1 obesity medications may achieve some weight loss while experiencing fewer side effects, a recent study suggests. These drugs, including Novo Nordisk's semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and Eli Lilly's tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), are typically initiated at low doses to manage side effects.
However, many patients do not progress to higher maintenance doses due to various factors. This analysis of patients staying on initial doses for at least six months revealed an average body weight loss of 5.5% with tirzepatide and 2.2% with semaglutide after one year. This is substantially less than the double-digit percentages seen with higher doses in prior trials.
Despite the reduced weight loss, the study highlighted that patients on sustained low doses reported substantially less nausea and constipation. Furthermore, semaglutide, already approved for reducing chronic kidney disease risk, continued to show better kidney outcomes at low doses, with lower rates of kidney injury compared to tirzepatide. Conversely, tirzepatide was associated with more constipation, muscle cramps, and disc disease.
Researchers emphasize that patients not aiming for extensive weight loss can still achieve some results on starter doses, but awareness of the distinct adverse event profiles is crucial. Novo Nordisk is exploring lower maintenance doses, with results expected in the coming years.
