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The research library
GLP-1 RESEARCH MONITOR

Beyond
the headlines.

The important GLP-1 findings, distilled. Start with the numbers and what they mean, then explore the latest studies.

Find your starting pointHow we work
Original sourcesVisible context
Fresh citrus in soft natural lightFIELD NOTES / 02
Beyond the headlines
THE COLLECTION

GLP-1, in perspective.

3Research monitors
104Distinct cited sources
Oct 27, 2026Latest study findings update
01CHOOSE YOUR STARTING POINT

The questions. The evidence.

From the individual treatments to the bigger questions around access.

01 / Evidence monitor

Semaglutide

-11.85%average difference between groups

Subcutaneous semaglutide reduced weight but increased stopping for adverse events

In adults without type 2 diabetes, subcutaneous semaglutide produced 11.85% greater body-weight reduction than placebo. Stopping because of adverse events was more likely with semaglutide than placebo.

This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of adults with overweight or obesity. The discontinuation estimate was a relative risk, not an absolute rate.
54 cited sources192 findings
Findings updated Oct 21, 2026
Source for this takeaway in a new tab
03 / Evidence monitor

Cost & coverage

Insurance coverage discontinuation 37.7%; high medication costs 20.3%; side effects 27.1%

Insurance loss, costs and side effects were reported stopping reasons

Among 512 survey respondents who stopped semaglutide or tirzepatide prescribed for weight management, 37.7% cited loss of insurance coverage, 20.3% high medication costs and 27.1% side effects.

These were self-reported experiences from a single academic health system; selection and recall bias and the cross-sectional design limit conclusions about longer-term discontinuation.
13 cited sources41 findings
Findings updated Oct 19, 2026
Source for this takeaway in a new tab

These findings come from different studies and populations. The cards are not a head-to-head treatment comparison.

THE RESEARCH, AS IT ARRIVES

Latest studies.

The newest findings added to this collection.
The learning from each, already distilled.

  1. STUDY 01Findings added
    Tirzepatide
    TL;DR

    Semaglutide ranked better for new atrial fibrillation than tirzepatide

    43%lower relative risk

    In a network meta-analysis, subcutaneous semaglutide had a 43% lower relative risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation than tirzepatide.

    The analysis covered 94 randomized trials in diabetes or obesity. Arrhythmias were often not primary endpoints, events were limited, and network comparisons require confirmation.

    Study details & original results

    Barbosa, Lucas M et al.. Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Risk of Arrhythmias: A Network Meta-Analysis.. Heart rhythm. 2026.

    New-onset atrial fibrillation incidence with subcutaneous semaglutide versus tirzepatide in a network meta-analysis of 94 RCTs involving patients with diabetes or obesity; further arrhythmia-focused studies are needed to confirm the finding.

    RR 0.57
    95% CI: 0.37-0.88

    Network-meta-analysis ranking for reducing new-onset atrial fibrillation; this ranking is not an absolute or relative risk estimate, and the authors called for confirmatory arrhythmia-focused studies.

    Tirzepatide p-score 0.1830 (semaglutide 0.7885; dulaglutide 0.1750)

    43% lower relative risk, calculated from RR 0.57. This is not an absolute percentage-point difference.

    Citation in Tirzepatide
    One key learningRead original study in a new tab
  2. STUDY 02Findings added
    Tirzepatide
    TL;DR

    COPD flare-ups were lower than with two diabetes-drug comparators

    27%lower relative hazard

    In matched adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide was associated with a 27% lower relative hazard of an exacerbation than SGLT2 inhibitors; DPP-4 inhibitors gave a similar result.

    The retrospective study had unequal median follow-up and possible residual confounding. Respiratory outcomes were similar with tirzepatide versus other GLP-1 receptor agonists, while mortality favored tirzepatide in that same comparison.

    Study details & original results

    Hsu, Wan-Hsuan et al.. Tirzepatide versus other glucose-lowering therapies and risk of COPD exacerbations in patients with comorbid type 2 diabetes: a retrospective cohort study.. Frontiers in pharmacology. 2026.

    COPD exacerbation risk over days 1-365 with tirzepatide versus SGLT2 inhibitors among propensity-score-matched adults with COPD and type 2 diabetes; 6,080 patients per group, with median follow-up of 232 versus 365 days, respectively, in a retrospective cohort requiring randomized confirmation.

    HR 0.73
    95% CI: 0.64-0.82

    COPD exacerbation risk over days 1-365 with tirzepatide versus DPP-4 inhibitors among propensity-score-matched adults with COPD and type 2 diabetes; 4,684 patients per group, with median follow-up of 235 versus 365 days, respectively, in a retrospective cohort requiring randomized confirmation.

    HR 0.72
    95% CI: 0.63-0.82

    All-cause mortality over days 1-365 with tirzepatide versus other GLP-1 receptor agonists among propensity-score-matched adults with COPD and type 2 diabetes; 6,727 patients per group, with median follow-up of 233 versus 365 days, respectively. Other exacerbation and respiratory outcomes were similar, and randomized confirmation is needed.

    HR 0.55
    95% CI: 0.42-0.72

    27% lower relative hazard, calculated from HR 0.73. This is not an absolute percentage-point difference.

    Citation in Tirzepatide
    One key learningRead original study in a new tab
  3. STUDY 03Findings added
    Tirzepatide
    TL;DR

    Heart-failure benefit was reported, but comparison details are missing

    A narrative review reported fewer cardiovascular deaths or worsening heart-failure events with tirzepatide in SUMMIT; the comparison group is not available in this summary.

    The population for this estimate is also not available here. The narrative review lacked a systematic search and detailed risk-of-bias assessment.

    Study details & original results

    Jang, Rachelle et al.. GLP-1-based therapies in cardiovascular disease: outcomes, mechanisms, and emerging clinical applications.. European journal of clinical pharmacology. 2026.

    Review-reported reduction in cardiovascular death or worsening heart failure with tirzepatide in the SUMMIT trial

    38% reduction

    Citation in Tirzepatide
    One key learningRead original study in a new tab
  4. STUDY 04Findings added
    Semaglutide
    TL;DR

    Gastrointestinal discontinuations were numerically higher with semaglutide

    4.5% vs 1.1%

    In FLOW, treatment stopping specifically for gastrointestinal adverse events was 4.5% with semaglutide versus 1.1% with placebo.

    FLOW participants had chronic kidney disease. Overall adverse-event discontinuation proportions were descriptively similar within kidney-function subgroups. Safety was selectively collected, and subgroup comparisons had no formal inferential testing.

    Study details & original results

    Tuttle, Katherine R et al.. Safety outcomes of semaglutide by chronic kidney disease severity in the FLOW trial.. Kidney international. 2026.

    Descriptive incidence of treatment discontinuation specifically due to gastrointestinal adverse events with semaglutide versus placebo in FLOW, reported as more frequent with semaglutide regardless of baseline eGFR.

    4.5% vs 1.1%

    Descriptive incidence of treatment discontinuation due to adverse events with semaglutide versus placebo among FLOW participants with baseline eGFR at least 60 mL/min/1.73 m²; no inferential comparison was reported.

    11.2% vs 11.3%

    Descriptive incidence of treatment discontinuation due to adverse events with semaglutide versus placebo among FLOW participants with baseline eGFR below 30 mL/min/1.73 m²; no inferential comparison was reported.

    18.8% vs 18.7%

    Citation in Semaglutide
    One key learningRead original study in a new tab
4 of 12 study updates

Dates show when findings were added here, not when papers were published. Study populations and comparisons differ.

02 / KEEP THE CONTEXT

Understanding begins
with a closer look.

A study follows a particular group of people, over a particular period of time. The details help you see what a result can — and cannot — tell you.

AI-assisted study summaries for general information. Read the original source and discuss personal treatment questions with a qualified clinician.

How these monitors are made
THE MODERNDOC APPROACH

A closer look.
A clearer perspective.

Read our approach
01

Check the cited source.

Compare a finding with the paper it cites. A citation alone does not establish that the finding is supported.

02

Context comes with the number.

Keep the population, comparison and uncertainty alongside the result.

03

The limits belong here, too.

AI-assisted evidence summaries are not a clinician endorsement or a personal treatment recommendation.