REVIEW PAPER
Tirzepatide - an innovative treatment for diabetes and obesity
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Kliniczny Oddział Toksykologiczno-Kardiologiczny i Chorób Wewnętrznych, Wojewódzki Szpital Specjalistyczny im. Stefana Kardynała Wyszyńskiego SPZOZ w Lublinie, Polska
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Wydział Lekarski, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lublinie, Polska
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Oddział Geriatrii, Samodzielny Publiczny Zakład Opieki Zdrowotnej w Łęcznej, Polska
Corresponding author
Krystian Żuk
Kliniczny Oddział Toksykologiczno-Kardiologiczny i Chorób Wewnętrznych, Wojewódzki Szpital Specjalistyczny im. Stefana Kardynała Wyszyńskiego SPZOZ w Lublinie, Al. Kraśnicka 100, 20-718 Lublin, Polska
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ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
Obesity affects millions of people worldwide and underlies many serious conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This article aims to analyze SURPASS and SURMOUNT series of studies on the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide as an innovative drug used in the treatment of diabetes and obesity.
Review methods:
A literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Publications from 2021–2025 were analyzed, using the following keywords as search criteria: ‘tirzepatide’, ‘obesity’, ‘diabetes’, and ‘incretins’.
Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge:
Brief description of the state of knowledge. Incretin hormones, such as GLP-1 and GIP, play a key role in regulating blood sugar levels, appetite, and body weight. Tirzepatide, an innovative drug, combines the action of both incretins and demonstrates high efficacy in treating type 2 diabetes and
obesity. Clinical trials of the SURPASS and SURMOUNT series have confirmed that tirzepatide reduces body weight and improves glycaemic control compared to placebo, insulin, and other GLP-1 agonists. This drug is well-tolerated, with additional benefits including improved blood pressure, kidney function, and reduced liver fat.
Summary:
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are global health challenges requiring effective therapies. Tirzepatide has
demonstrated greater efficacy in clinical trials than the existing treatment standards. The drug is characterized by a favourable safety profile and improvements in metabolic parameters. However; further research on larger populations is necessary to increase the reliability of results. This discovery could revolutionize the treatment of metabolic diseases in the future.
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