Efficacy and safety of a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-1): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial.

Rosenstock, Julio et al.·Lancet (London·2021·Strong EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trial
RPEP-05727Randomized Controlled TrialStrong Evidence2021RETHINKTHC RESEARCH DATABASErethinkthc.com/research

Quick Facts

Study Type
Randomized Controlled Trial
Evidence
Strong Evidence
Sample
N=478 patients
Participants
Adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by diet and exercise, naive to injectable therapy, mean age 54, BMI 31.9

What This Study Found

Tirzepatide (5, 10, 15 mg weekly) reduced HbA1c by 1.87-2.07% and body weight by 7.0-9.5 kg over 40 weeks vs placebo, with no severe hypoglycemia in 478 patients with type 2 diabetes.

Key Numbers

478 patients; 52 sites in 4 countries; HbA1c: -1.87 to -2.07% vs +0.04% placebo; weight: -7.0 to -9.5 kg; nausea 12-18%; no severe hypoglycemia; 40 weeks

How They Did This

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial (SURPASS-1) at 52 centers in 4 countries. 478 adults with type 2 diabetes randomized 1:1:1:1 to tirzepatide 5, 10, or 15 mg weekly or placebo for 40 weeks.

Why This Research Matters

Tirzepatide combines two incretin pathways in one drug, achieving better blood sugar and weight outcomes than most single-pathway drugs. This trial helped establish it as a major new option for type 2 diabetes.

What This Study Doesn't Tell Us

40-week duration may not capture long-term safety. Participants were treatment-naive (no prior injectable therapy), so results may differ in previously treated patients. Funded by Eli Lilly. Gastrointestinal side effects affected a notable proportion of patients.

Trust & Context

Original Title:
Efficacy and safety of a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-1): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial.
Published In:
Lancet (London, England), 398(10295), 143-155 (2021)
Database ID:
RPEP-05727

Evidence Hierarchy

Meta-Analysis / Systematic Review
Randomized Controlled TrialGold standard for testing treatments
This study
Cohort / Case-Control
Cross-Sectional / Observational
Case Report / Animal Study

Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups to test cause and effect.

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Cite This Study

RPEP-05727·https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-05727

APA

Rosenstock, Julio; Wysham, Carol; Frías, Juan P; Kaneko, Shizuka; Lee, Clare J; Fernández Landó, Laura; Mao, Huzhang; Cui, Xuewei; Karanikas, Chrisanthi A; Thieu, Vivian T. (2021). Efficacy and safety of a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-1): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial.. Lancet (London, England), 398(10295), 143-155. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01324-6

MLA

Rosenstock, Julio, et al. "Efficacy and safety of a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-1): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial.." Lancet (London, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01324-6

RethinkPeptides

RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Efficacy and safety of a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor a..." RPEP-05727. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/rosenstock-2021-efficacy-and-safety-of

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Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.