GLP-1 obesity drugs receive US guideline endorsement as trial shows muscle‑preserving option

The American College of Physicians has updated its obesity treatment guidelines, naming semaglutide and tirzepatide — the active ingredients in drugs such as Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound and Mounjaro — as first‑line pharmacologic options for adults with a body‑mass index of 30 or higher, or 27 with obesity‑related conditions. The recommendation emphasizes that these GLP‑1 agents should be used alongside lifestyle changes.

In parallel, researchers at AdventHealth in the United States reported early clinical data on a myostatin‑blocking antibody, apitegromab, combined with tirzepatide. In a trial of about one hundred participants, the addition of apitegromab halved muscle loss compared with tirzepatide alone while achieving comparable weight reductions. Participants also showed modest improvements in grip strength and lower‑leg endurance, suggesting that preserving muscle mass may mitigate the functional decline sometimes seen with rapid weight loss.

Together, the new US guideline and the muscle‑preservation study highlight a shift in obesity care toward not only achieving weight loss but also maintaining overall body composition and functional health.