A scientific study done by endocrinologists in Portugal, of all places, showed the GLP-1 tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) was “superior to semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) in achieving standard and intensive goals in Type 2 Diabetes control.” Standard targets are A1c (<7%), blood pressure <140/90, LDL Cholesterol <70, and weight loss >10%. Intensive targets are A1c<6.5%, BP <13/80, LDL-C <55, and >15% weight loss.
The only problem with this study is the dosing of the two drugs. Three strengths of tirzepatide, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg were compared to only one strength of semaglutide (1mg). Really? That’s not fair. While tirzepatide reached standard targets 42%, 53%, and 57% of the time in patients who took 5, 10, and 15 mg, semaglutide reached those goals 35% of the time. Tirzepatide achieved intensive targets 15%, 20%, and 29% of the time and semaglutide only 8%. Semaglutide strengths vary among the 3 brands, but each has at least 3 strengths.
This study is incomplete. Comparing only one strength of semaglutide against 3 strengths of tirzepatide does not reveal the full efficacy of semaglutide. It does show a tendency for tirzepatide to be superior to semaglutide in bringing T2D into better control. This was particularly well displayed by tirzepatide’s better weight loss and tighter blood sugar control.
Dr. G’s Opinion: I think this is a frivolous study. These researchers must have been sitting around with nothing to do when they came up with this idea. They need to compare all strengths of both drugs before they can be certain one is superior to the other. Tirzepatide appears to be superior at least compared to 1mg of semaglutide. Why not compare the other strengths, too. Their point is well-taken, but they needed to take it a bit farther.
Reference: Melville NA. Tirzepatide Outperforms Semaglutide on Combined T2D Goals Medscape 2025 July 21.
