Not only can it help with weight loss, but it can also &#34;prevent&#34; diabetes. Lilly's weight loss drug is unstoppable, with its stock price rising over 3% overnight, approaching historical highs. Since August, it has risen by 15%.
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A study released by Lilly on Tuesday showed that compared to a placebo, the weight loss drug Tirzepatide can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in obese or overweight adults by 94%. Subsequent trials also found that adults receiving the highest weekly dose of the drug experienced an average weight loss of 22.9% after 176 weeks.
However, a key question remains unanswered: how long do patients need to take the medication?
Currently, doctors and researchers cannot provide a definitive answer, but studies suggest that most people who stop taking the medication may experience weight rebound, possibly even regaining more weight than before.
<h2>Weight Loss + &#34;Prevention&#34; of Diabetes</h2>
This study by Lilly is the longest study conducted on Tirzepatide to date, involving over 1000 adults, lasting 176 weeks and stopping treatment in the following 17 weeks. These patients generally have overweight issues and show signs of prediabetes, with blood sugar levels higher than normal, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
The study showed that taking Zepbound or Mounjaro can reduce the risk of diabetes by 94%, with patients receiving the highest dose of the drug therapy losing over 22% of their weight on average, while those receiving the lowest dose therapy lost about 15% of their weight.
Dr. Jeff Emmick, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Lilly, stated in a release that these data reinforce the potential clinical benefits of long-term treatment for obese and prediabetic patients.
Combining healthy eating and increased exercise is widely considered an effective strategy to reduce the development of prediabetes into diabetes. GLP-1 products like Zepbound and Mounjaro reduce food intake to make the body feel full, slow down digestion, and improve blood sugar control.
The CEO of Lilly stated that people taking GLP-1 weight loss drugs reduce their daily calorie intake by 800 calories, equivalent to one meal's worth of calories.
It is worth noting that Tirzepatide is usually more effective than Novo Nordisk's semaglutide because it acts on two different hormone receptors (GLP-1 and GIP), rather than just one.
<h2>A Key Question Remains Unanswered</h2>
However, a key question still remains unanswered: how long do patients need to take these drugs? If patients lose a significant amount of weight after taking Zepbound or Mounjaro and no longer have prediabetes or obesity issues, can they stop taking these drugs?
Currently, doctors and researchers cannot provide a definitive answer. **Research results show that most people experience weight regain after stopping treatment, with participants' weight rebounding, possibly even regaining more weight than before. Diabetes symptoms worsen, but according to the latest results from the third phase, the risk of developing diabetes is still 88% lower than the placebo group
In addition, insurance companies typically do not cover monthly medication costs exceeding $1000 for individuals without diagnosable health issues. Weight loss drugs are also undergoing testing for prevention and treatment of other conditions, including dementia, liver disease, and drug and alcohol addiction. It is currently unclear how insurance companies will cover these medications, and whether people are willing to endure common side effects such as nausea and gastrointestinal issues

- Eli Lilly's weight loss drug, Tirzepatide, shows promising results in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 94% compared to a placebo. Patients on the highest weekly dose experienced an average weight loss of 22.9% after 176 weeks.
- The study, involving over 1000 adults with obesity or overweight, highlights the drug's potential benefits in preventing diabetes. However, the duration of treatment remains uncertain, with concerns about weight rebound post-treatment and insurance coverage for long-term medication use.
- While the drug's efficacy in reducing diabetes risk and aiding weight loss is evident, questions linger on the duration of treatment, potential side effects, and insurance coverage for sustained medication use beyond $1000 monthly.

Eli Lilly hits a new high! "Weight loss miracle drug" almost "prevents" diabetes, but