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The evidence cards

# Study results help frame a question.

A study result tells you what happened in a group. Ask how that group compares with your situation, and what the result can and cannot tell you.

Ask it in plain words

What result is reasonable to discuss in my case?

On this card
[Weight changed in the study](#card-1) [Stopping was studied, too](#card-2) [Ask who funded the evidence](#card-3) [Sources for this chapter](#chapter-sources)

## Weight changed in the study

In the SURMOUNT-1 study, adults who did not have diabetes lost an average of roughly 15% to 21% of their starting weight during 72 weeks on tirzepatide. People given a shot without tirzepatide, called a dummy shot, lost about 3%. The dummy shot lets researchers compare results with and without the medicine.

The study was supported by the drug's maker and included regular visits and help with eating and activity.

- How close is my health history to the study group's?

- What support would be part of my care?

- How would we assess progress for me?

- What would count as a reason to reconsider the plan?

## Stopping was studied, too

In the SURMOUNT-4 study, people first received tirzepatide for 36 weeks. They then either continued it or switched to a shot without tirzepatide.

Over the next 52 weeks, the group that switched gained an average of 14% of their body weight measured when they switched. The group that stayed on tirzepatide lost another 5.5%, also measured from their weight at that point. The 14% is a share of body weight, not a share of the weight already lost.

For an example of the arithmetic, 14% of a body weight of 200 pounds is 28 pounds. This is an illustration, not another study result.

Those results open a discussion about later care. They do not set a personal stop date or decide how long anyone must continue.

- How would we plan for stopping if that becomes the choice?

- What other support would remain available?

- What changes in health or cost would prompt a review?

## Ask who funded the evidence

A Cochrane review, which brings together results from several studies, found that tirzepatide likely reduces weight more than a treatment without the medicine. The drug maker paid for all the studies in that review.

- Ask which named study supports an advertised result.

- Write down both results: the weight change with tirzepatide and the weight change without it. Compare them side by side.

- Ask what remains uncertain, rather than treating an average as a promise.

## Sources for this chapter

Use these sources to check the answers above. Bring any questions to the person treating you.

- [New England Journal of Medicine via PubMed · SURMOUNT-1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35658024/)

- [JAMA via PubMed · SURMOUNT-4](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38078870/)

- [Cochrane via PubMed · review of tirzepatide trials](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41161687/)

[  Keep the question moving  Sources to use when checking an offer   ↗ ](/source-cards/)

These pages help you ask about care. This is a guide with no medical services; it does not sell products.

[Question kit](/question-cards/)  [Short visit card](/quick-card/)  [Source cards](/source-cards/)  [Text copy of this page](/evidence-cards/index.md)