29 Aug EASD 2025: Tirzepatide (Zepbound) Improved Weight Loss and Glucose Levels in Type I Diabetes
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Berry
Dr. Simon Berry MRCP, MbChB
Clinical Research Fellow in Diabetes
School of Medicine and Population Health
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
University of Sheffield
Sheffield, UK
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Obesity is an increasing problem in people with type 1 diabetes, augmenting cardiovascular risk and leading to issues with insulin resistance, which make it harder to match insulin injections to carbohydrate intake. Tirzepatide is licensed for the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Our study looked at people with type 1 diabetes who had been prescribed tirzepatide off-license. It found that after starting tirzepatide, there was significant weight loss, improvements in glucose levels (HbA1c and time in range on continuous glucose monitoring) and reductions in insulin requirements. Side effects such as nausea and vomiting were common but generally tolerated and importantly, there was no increase in the frequency of low blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia) or any cases of pancreatitis.
MedicalResearch.com: Would the Tirzepatide be in addition to insulin?
Response: Tirzepatide was prescribed alongside usual insulin treatment and does not replace the need for insulin. We believe that it makes the body more sensitive to the insulin that is already administered.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?
Response: Fully powered randomised controlled trials are urgently needed to assess the potential role of tirzepatide in type 1 diabetes. One question that needs answering is whether only people with obesity benefit from tirzepatide or whether those with a normal weight and evidence of insulin resistance would also benefit. One group that requires particular attention is young adults with type 1 diabetes, who might benefit further from the cardiovascular and metabolic benefits of tirzepatide cumulatively over a longer time period.
Disclosures: I have no relevant conflicts of interest. Dr Ahmed Iqbal is on the speaker bureau for Eli Lilly.
Citation:
EASD 2025, Abstract 825 27 August 2025
Tirzepatide as an adjunctive therapy in type 1 diabetes: real-world experience from a large UK centre
S.A. Berry, E. McNally, I. Goodman, J. Elliott1, A. Iqbal
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Last Updated on August 29, 2025 by Marie Benz MD FAAD