Global Trial Finds Tirzepatide More Effective Than Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes

Recent studies and regulatory developments highlight significant progress and concerns regarding semaglutide and related drugs for diabetes, weight loss, and liver disease. A large clinical trial (SURPASS-2) compared tirzepatide with semaglutide in type 2 diabetes patients, focusing on efficacy and safety as add-on therapy to metformin. Another study found that higher daily doses of semaglutide (25 mg and 50 mg) led to better blood sugar control and greater weight loss than lower doses, though with more gastrointestinal side effects. Meanwhile, the FDA approved semaglutide (Wegovy) for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, marking a first for this indication in the US. However, a 2025 consumer report revealed safety risks and legal issues with compounded semaglutide products following the FDA's resolution of the semaglutide shortage, which ended exemptions allowing compounding, raising concerns over dosing errors and contamination. These findings underscore semaglutide's expanding medical use alongside emerging challenges around safety and regulation.