Comparative effects of drugs for adults with overweight or obesity: systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Drugs for overweight or obesity achieve up to 14.9% weight loss at one year but vary in benefits and harms, with some also reducing cardiovascular risks.

• Why it matters: Understanding the comparative effectiveness and safety of these drugs is crucial for informed decision-making by clinicians, policymakers, and patients amid diverse treatment options.
• What they did: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of 262 trials involving 99,791 participants evaluated 19 drugs over 12 to 172 weeks, assessing weight loss, adverse events, and cardiovascular outcomes.
• The result: While some drugs like tirzepatide and subcutaneous semaglutide significantly reduce weight and cardiovascular risks, most do not improve quality of life, and larger benefits often come with increased harms, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment decisions.