- EvidenceScore™
- 64
- Moderate
- ImpactScore™
- 73
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
Switching to tirzepatide improves glycemic control and weight in type 2 diabetes
Last updated August 16, 2026
Key finding
HbA1c decreased by 1.44% (SE 0.07) for tirzepatide.
This study analyzed the effects of switching from dulaglutide to tirzepatide in adults with type 2 diabetes, showing greater reductions in HbA1c and body weight with tirzepatide.
Quick read
Study at a glance
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
Risk of bias
High Risk
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Plain-language summary
What this paper says
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study analyzed the effects of switching from dulaglutide to tirzepatide in adults with type 2 diabetes, showing greater reductions in HbA1c and body weight with tirzepatide.
Clinical relevance
These findings are significant for clinicians managing type 2 diabetes, as they suggest that tirzepatide may offer superior glycemic control and weight management compared to dulaglutide. However, the increased gastrointestinal side effects must be considered when making treatment decisions.
Keep in mind
The study did not assess long-term effects beyond the trial duration. Sample size and demographic diversity may limit generalizability. Potential confounding factors were not fully controlled.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Rafael V, Ludger R, Palash S, Elisa GV, K KC, Anita YK. Switching from dulaglutide to tirzepatide in adults with type 2 diabetes: a subgroup analysis of SURPASS-SWITCH. BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. 2026;14(2):e005711. doi:10.1136/bmjdrc-2025-005711
Main Effects
Tirzepatide reduced HbA1c by 1.44% (SE 0.07) compared to 0.67% (SE 0.08) for dulaglutide.
Body weight decreased by 10.5 kg (SE 0.5) with tirzepatide versus 3.6 kg (SE 0.5) with dulaglutide.
Nausea incidence was 25.2% in the tirzepatide group compared to 18.9% in the dulaglutide group.
Evidence network
How this study fits
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
Evidence Context
This study contributes evidence to Dulaglutide, Tirzepatide and Body weight, Gastrointestinal disorders incidence, HbA1c, and 1 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Dulaglutide
Primary outcomes
- Body weight
- Gastrointestinal disorders incidence
- HbA1c
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Evidence relationships
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
Why this study matters
See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.
Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
3
Related topics
8
Evidence pairs
594
Related studies
Why it is useful
- Contributes to 8 evidence relationships
- Includes primary outcome data
- Linked to 3 direct semantic evidence topics
Topic contributions
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
Evidence relationship
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and HbA1c
Related evidence
Evidence relationship
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Body Weight
Save evidence
Evidence relationship
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Hypoglycemia
Save evidence
Core evidence
Study findings
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Gastrointestinal disorders incidence
Dulaglutide → Gastrointestinal disorders incidence
Dulaglutide → Gastrointestinal disorders incidence
- EvidenceScore™
- 64
- Moderate
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
- EvidenceScore™
- 78
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 83
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 67
- generally_consistent
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
- EvidenceScore™
- 83
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 91
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
Gastrointestinal disorders incidence
Tirzepatide → Gastrointestinal disorders incidence
Tirzepatide → Gastrointestinal disorders incidence
- EvidenceScore™
- Moderate
- Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
- EvidenceScore™
- 83
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 96
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Evidence Library
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Evidence Suggest
- Tirzepatide led to a 1.44% decrease in HbA1c, significantly more than dulaglutide's 0.67%.
- Body weight decreased by 10.5 kg with tirzepatide compared to 3.6 kg with dulaglutide.
- Higher nausea rates were reported with tirzepatide (25.2%) compared to dulaglutide (18.9%).
Who this applies to
- Adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
- Patients currently using dulaglutide for diabetes management.
Keep in Mind
- Results may not apply to populations outside the study's demographic.
- Further research is needed to evaluate long-term safety and efficacy.
- Increased gastrointestinal side effects with tirzepatide should be monitored.
Between the Lines
- The study did not assess long-term effects beyond the trial duration.
- Sample size and demographic diversity may limit generalizability.
- Potential confounding factors were not fully controlled.
Evidence Library
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Connected Evidence
Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.
Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and HbA1c, GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Body Weight.
Related evidence relationships
Explore in Evidence ExplorerThis study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists → HbA1c
Medications
- EvidenceScore™
- 83
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 96
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists → Body Weight
Medications
- EvidenceScore™
- 83
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 91
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
Included in these evidence collections
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Evidence Hub
All studies on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Contributes to GLP-1 Receptor Agonists evidence base.
HbA1c Evidence Hub
All studies measuring HbA1c
Measures HbA1c as a key outcome.
Body Weight Evidence Hub
All studies measuring Body Weight
Measures Body Weight as a key outcome.
Recent Diabetes Research
Latest published studies
Published within the last 2 years.
Explore more in Evidence Explorer
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
All studies on Tirzepatide and HbA1c
12 results
All studies on Tirzepatide and Body weight
11 results
All studies on Tirzepatide
12 results
All studies measuring HbA1c
12 results
All studies measuring Body weight
11 results
Questions answered by this study
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Does GLP-1 Receptor Agonists improve HbA1c?
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists appears to improve HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 83.4 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 30 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
- Population details are unavailable.
Does GLP-1 Receptor Agonists affect body weight?
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists appears to improve Body Weight.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Body weight
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 82.7 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 31 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
- Population details are unavailable.
Does GLP-1 Receptor Agonists affect hypoglycemia?
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists may improve Hypoglycemia.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Severe hypoglycemia
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 12 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
- Population details are unavailable.
Does GLP-1 Receptor Agonists affect gastrointestinal adverse events?
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists may worsen Gastrointestinal Adverse Events or be associated with harm.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Gastrointestinal disorders incidence
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 6 supporting studies and existing graph evidence signals.
Limitations
- Population details are unavailable.
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