A new study published in The BMJ shows that Mounjaro (tirzepatide) significantly reduces the risk of heart attacks in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Patients receiving the injection were 33% less likely to experience a heart attack compared to those on sitagliptin, another diabetes medication.
Study details
The American study examined nearly 53,000 individuals with type 2 diabetes and heart disease who had started treatment with either Mounjaro or sitagliptin. Researchers monitored major adverse cardiovascular events (Mace), including heart attacks, strokes, and death from any cause, across both groups.
Key findings
After one year, the risk of Mace was 2.9% among those on Mounjaro compared to 4.4% in the sitagliptin group. Scientists estimate this equates to preventing one case for every 70 individuals treated. Mounjaro also reduced hospital admissions from infections, with one admission avoided for every 48 patients, and prevented one death from any cause for every 122 patients treated.
No significant difference was found in stroke cases. Mounjaro is a GLP-1 receptor agonist drug currently prescribed on the NHS for type 2 diabetes and severe obesity.
The researchers explained: "This study shows how trial-anchored evidence from clinical practice can estimate the expected cardiovascular benefit of initiating tirzepatide beyond standard background treatment and inform shared decision making."
