Eli Lilly's Zepbound Maintains 95% Weight Loss Over Three Years

Eli Lilly and Company has announced the three-year clinical data for its weight loss drug, Zepbound, revealing that continuous use of the medication can maintain 95% of the weight loss achieved. The study, which involved 690 patients, showed that the average actual weight loss rate was nearly 19%. Patients reached their lowest weight within the first two years, followed by an average weight rebound of approximately 3.7% over the subsequent 18 months. This data underscores the efficacy of Zepbound in sustaining long-term weight management, providing a significant advantage in the competitive landscape of weight loss treatments.

The findings are particularly noteworthy as they highlight the drug's ability to maintain its effectiveness over an extended period, which is a critical factor for patients seeking sustainable weight loss solutions. The results suggest that Zepbound could become a cornerstone in the treatment of obesity, offering a reliable option for those struggling with weight management. The study, funded by Eli Lilly, was led by Louis Aronne of Weill Cornell Medicine and will be presented at the European Obesity Summit next month. The initial three-year trial data, released last year, showed that patients treated with the highest 15 mg dose of Zepbound achieved an average weight loss of 23%.

One of the primary challenges in obesity treatment is maintaining weight loss over time. The study results indicate that adhering to the prescribed use of Zepbound and similar medications can achieve long-term therapeutic effects. Comparatively, a study involving 17,000 participants using Novo Nordisk's Wegovy showed that weight remained stable three years after starting the medication. Other interventions, such as bariatric surgery, have shown an average weight rebound of about 13% three years post-surgery, according to a large prospective cohort study. This suggests that medications like Zepbound may offer more durable results compared to other weight management strategies.

Justin Ryder, a professor of surgery and pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, noted the significance of the initial weight loss phase lasting nearly two years. However, he also pointed out that some patients, even with the highest dosage, experienced weight rebound, indicating a need for additional support. The study emphasizes the importance of continuous medication use, as previous research has shown that discontinuing Zepbound can lead to significant weight regain. Aronne compared this to the use of antihypertensive or antidiabetic medications, stating that stopping treatment can revert the body to its previous state, highlighting the need for long-term management of chronic conditions.

In practical settings, patients often face challenges in maintaining medication use due to supply shortages, side effects, and inadequate insurance coverage. Aronne is currently investigating the impact of reducing dosage or frequency of use, which could help identify the optimal maintenance treatment plan. Another study to be presented at the European Obesity Summit found that overweight adults at risk of diabetes, when using the medication, fell into three groups with total weight loss percentages of 10%, 20%, and 30%. The study indicated that patients typically stopped losing weight after six months, with the most significant weight loss observed in women and those without obesity-related comorbidities.