Efficacy and Safety of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss Among Adults Without Diabetes : A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors' conclusion
GLP-1 RAs and co-agonists are efficacious for weight loss, with reported safety concerns predominantly gastrointestinal in nature, when used among adults with overweight or obesity and without diabetes.
Study context
- Population
- Otherwise healthy adults with overweight or obesity and without diabetes; 72% female; mean BMI 30 to 41 kg/m²; mean age 34 to 57 years
- Participants
- 15,491 adults26 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Comparison
- GLP-1 RAs and co-agonists vs placebo
- Outcome
- Change in relative or absolute body weight
- Follow-up
- Baseline to maximum on-treatment
Methodological detailsplacebo-controlled RCTs, no meta-analysis (heterogeneity)
- Placebo-controlled RCTs
- No meta-analysis (heterogeneity)
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Weight loss vs placebo
- Tirzepatide · after 72 weeks
- weight loss, up to 17.8 % (95% CI 16.3%–19.3%)
- Semaglutide · after 68 weeks
- weight loss, up to 13.9 % (95% CI 11.0%–16.7%)
- Liraglutide · after 26 weeks
- weight loss, up to 5.8 % (95% CI 3.6%–8.0%)
- Retatrutide · after 48 weeks
- weight loss, up to 22.1 % (95% CI 19.3%–24.9%)
Safety
| Outcome | GLP-1 RA | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| AEs across trialsDiscontinuation AEs and SAEs rare | 80% to 97% | 63% to 100% |
| GI AEs | 47% to 84% | 13% to 63% |
| AEs requiring discontinuation | 0% to 26% | 0% to 9% |
| SAEs | 0% to 10% | 0% to 12% |
Adverse events (AEs) across trials
- Most common GI AEs: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
Original publication
Efficacy and Safety of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss Among Adults Without Diabetes : A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Ann Intern Med. Published 7 January 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →