Tirzepatide delivers real-world benefits, safety in T2D patients in India

A real-world assessment of tirzepatide in Indian clinical practice has shown significant glycaemic and weight benefits in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The medication is also well tolerated, with manageable gastrointestinal side effects, and highly accepted by patients.

“Tirzepatide, a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), has emerged as a transformative agent in T2D management, demonstrating robust glycaemic and weight reduction benefits in global trials,” according to lead study author Dr Bharat Saboo, Prayas Diabetes Center (PDC), Indore, India.

“With its recent launch in India, early real-world data are needed to guide its integration into routine clinical practice,” Saboo added.

Saboo and co-author Shweta Saboo, also from PDC, conducted this observational study to evaluate the early clinical experience with tirzepatide in Indian patients with T2D. They focused on glycaemic control, weight control, weight loss, tolerability, and patient-reported outcomes.

Overall, 58 adults with inadequately controlled T2D (glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] ≥8 percent) started treatment with tirzepatide (2.5‒10 mg weekly) between April and July 2025 at a tertiary diabetes centre in India. These participants were followed for 12 weeks.

Key outcomes assessed were as follows: change in HbA1c, body weight, gastrointestinal tolerability, and patient satisfaction measured via structured feedback forms.

At 12 weeks, HbA1c dropped by 1.8 percent on average (p<0.01), while weight decreased by an average of 5.6 kg from baseline. Furthermore, the majority of T2D patients (84 percent) reported improved energy and appetite control. [ATTD-Asia 2025, abstract SOP044]

Tirzepatide also showed an acceptable safety profile, with 22 percent of patients reporting mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bloating and nausea, and 78 percent showing good tolerability. None of these individuals ceased treatment.

In addition, there was high adherence and satisfaction (93 percent) among participants, especially among those with previous GLP-1RA experience.

“These findings support its role as an effective early add-on or switch option in T2D management,” Saboo said. “Longer-term real-world evaluation is merited to confirm these initial positive outcomes.”

Metabolic changes

The results of this study are consistent with those of an earlier observational study, which reported significantly improved BMI, HbA1c, and waist circumference following treatment with tirzepatide in Indian patients with T2D. [Diabetes 2025;74(Suppl_1):784-P]

Specifically, tirzepatide use resulted in significant reductions in BMI (‒10.90; p<0.001), HbA1c (‒1.48; p<0.001), and waist circumference (‒8.15; p<0.01). Moreover, the researchers observed positive associations between BMI and HbA1c reductions (r=0.51; p=0.002), as well as between treatment dose and changes in BMI (r=0.43; p=0.015) and HbA1c (r=0.47; p=0.010).

In addition, liver enzyme tests (SGOT, SGPT) suggested metabolic associations.

This study obtained baseline and 6-month follow-up data from patients treated with tirzepatide. Changes in BMI, HbA1c, and waist circumference were analysed using paired t-tests. Correlation analyses were also carried out to assess the relationships between these changes and treatment doses.