Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
New medications are transforming how diabetes and obesity are treated. Dr. David Cummings explains the strong clinical evidence behind drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide, which can significantly reduce weight and improve conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease.
“We have really strong evidence from proper randomized trials that these drugs are terrific at reducing body weight,” said Cummings, an endocrinologist with UW Medicine and the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System. “There are new drugs that are coming out that are probably going to be even better.”
These medications work by reducing appetite and slowing digestion, but they can also cause side effects, such as nausea and constipation. They must often be taken long-term to maintain benefits.
New medications are transforming how diabetes and obesity are treated. Dr. David Cummings explains the strong clinical evidence behind drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide, which can significantly reduce weight and improve conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease.
“We have really strong evidence from proper randomized trials that these drugs are terrific at reducing body weight,” said Cummings, an endocrinologist with UW Medicine and the VA Puget Sound Healthcare System. “There are new drugs that are coming out that are probably going to be even better.”
These medications work by reducing appetite and slowing digestion, but they can also cause side effects, such as nausea and constipation. They must often be taken long-term to maintain benefits.
