Weight Loss and Diabetes Drug Tirzepatide Shows Promise in Reducing Blood Pressure, Study Finds
A new study published in the American Heart Association’s journal Hypertension has revealed that the weight loss and diabetes drug tirzepatide, also known as Mounjaro and Zepbound, can significantly reduce blood pressure in overweight and obese patients. This finding suggests that the drug may have another benefit in addition to its popular use for weight loss and diabetes management.
The study found that participants who took 10 milligram doses of tirzepatide experienced the greatest reductions in systolic blood pressure, with a decrease of 10.6 points. Those on 15 milligram doses saw an 8.0 point reduction, while participants on 5 milligram doses had a decrease of 7.4 points. Systolic blood pressure is the first number in a blood pressure reading and measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats.
However, the researchers are uncertain whether the drop in blood pressure was solely due to tirzepatide or if weight loss and dietary changes also played a role. Further investigation is needed to determine the exact cause of the blood pressure reduction.
Tirzepatide, manufactured by drugmaker Eli Lilly, is the generic name for both Mounjaro and Zepbound. The drug was tested on 600 overweight or obese participants over a period of nine months. These participants had either normal blood pressure or high blood pressure that was under control and did not have type 2 diabetes.
Obesity is strongly linked to high blood pressure, with research indicating that obesity accounts for a significant percentage of cases of primary hypertension. Therefore, finding effective treatments for weight loss and blood pressure reduction is crucial.
While this study provides promising results, researchers emphasize the need for additional studies to understand tirzepatide’s long-term effects on cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart attack. It is also important to determine what would happen to blood pressure if patients stop taking the drug.
Michael E. Hall, chair of the department of medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, expressed optimism about the findings, stating, “Overall, these data are encouraging that novel weight loss medications are effective at reducing body weight, and they are also effective at improving many of the cardiometabolic complications of obesity including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia, among others.”
The success of tirzepatide has been reflected in Eli Lilly’s global revenue, which reached $3 billion in 2023 as a result of Mounjaro. This demonstrates the significant demand for effective weight loss and diabetes drugs in the market.
This study builds upon a previous clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2022. The trial found that weekly doses of tirzepatide led to weight loss in up to 22.5% of participants. Initially approved for use in type 2 diabetes mitigation as Mounjaro, the drug was later approved by the Food and Drug Administration for weight loss under the brand name Zepbound in November 2023. Tirzepatide functions as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which is used to treat diabetes and promote weight loss. It also acts as a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), a hormone that aids in the release of insulin after meals.
In January, the list price of Mounjaro and other weight loss drugs reportedly increased. Mounjaro’s price rose by 4.5% to $1,069.08 per monthly dose, while Ozempic’s price increased by 3.5% to nearly $970. Eli Lilly justified these price increases by considering the drugs’ efficacy, safety profile, and overall value.
In conclusion, the study’s findings suggest that tirzepatide may have a positive impact on reducing blood pressure in overweight and obese patients. However, further research is necessary to fully understand the drug’s long-term effects and its potential to prevent cardiovascular events. With the increasing demand for effective weight loss and diabetes medications, tirzepatide has emerged as a promising option in the market.