[aantix]

Of FDA approved medications for weight loss, tirzepatide would be the current gold standard.

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa2107519

I think retatrutide might be the current leader for weight loss from clinical trials.

If I remember correctly, you lost the same amount of weight on retatrutide vs tirzepatide, but over a shorter time span.

[Obscurity4340]

You're saying this NEW medication is already currently the gold standard? What was it prior?

[quux]

The active ingredient, tirzepatide, isn't what's new here. It was patented in 2016 and has been on the market for treating type 2 diabetes since 2021.

What's new is that tirzepatide is now FDA approved for treatment of obesity, which will make it possible for insurance to cover it without a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

[bb88]

It should also be noted that during those original studies significant weight loss was observed, which is why doctor's were prescribing tirzepatide off-label.

Also just like Ozempic/Wegovy, Mounjaro is still indicated for type 2 diabetes. Zepbound will be the weight loss drug.

[Obscurity4340]

Can people still get insurance to cover stuff like Ozempic (generic or otherwise) even if its technically prescribed off-label?

[bb88]

Depends upon the insurance.

The doctor can certainly prescribe it though.

[Obscurity4340]

Do you think there's a way to "compel" this availabillity by litigation via best practices or medical recognition of what the FDA recognizes as "Gold standard" for medications?