A recent analysis compared a group of adults with type 1 diabetes who were prescribed tirzepatide (off-label) to a control group of adults with type 1 diabetes who were not using any weight-loss medication. The investigators reported significantly larger declines in body mass index (BMI) and weight in the treated group compared to controls. HbA1c decreased in the treated group as early as three months and was sustained through a one-year follow-up.
Insulin dose decreased at 3 months in the treated group and throughout the study period.
Statistics showed that tirzepatide facilitated an average 18.5 percent weight loss (>46 pounds) and improved glucose control in patients with Type 1 diabetes at one year.
Mounjaro. Generic Name: tirzepatide
There is caution. The drug was off-label because it is not approved in the U.S. for use in type 1 diabetes. Given current FDA regulations, companies don't want to spend 10 years and a billion dollars for a new use of a generic drug. So it may instead become like Wegovy and be embraced by celebrities with boutique physicians and then make its way down to the common medical community - where it is prescribed for one use and really for another.
Because of concern about long -term side-effects like gastroparesis, GERD, Cholelithiasis etc. from use of GLP analogs in patients with diabetes clinical trials would need to be undertaken before it can be ethically prescribed in the US, but Europe allows it.
Comments