Efficacy of tirzepatide versus semaglutide in achieving therapeutic targets in type 2 diabetes: a post hoc analysis of the SURPASS-2 Trial – published online 19/12/2025
João Sérgio Neves, Ana Rita Leite, Catarina Vale, Pedro Marques, Francisco Vasques‑Nóvoa, Adelino Leite‑Moreira, João Pedro Ferreira
In contemporary diabetes care, reducing long-term complications requires simultaneous management of blood glucose, blood pressure, lipids and body weight, yet most individuals fail to achieve these targets in routine practice. In this issue, Neves and Leite et al (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-025-06637-7) present a post hoc analysis of the SURPASS-2 trial, evaluating the comparative efficacy of tirzepatide (5, 10 or 15 mg) and semaglutide (1 mg) in achieving standard and intensive guideline-recommended therapeutic goals at 40 weeks. The authors report that across all tested doses, tirzepatide increased the likelihood of attaining multiple cardiometabolic targets, with a clear dose–response relationship. The greatest differences were observed for HbA1c and weight reduction. These findings extend previous efficacy data by demonstrating that dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonism translates into higher rates of composite target achievement. The authors conclude that for clinicians adopting a multifactorial, target-driven approach, tirzepatide may facilitate more comprehensive risk factor control in people with type 2 diabetes.
All News