Can a Weight-Loss drug protect muscle and bone in seniors? new study aims to find out
NCT ID NCT06861439
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study is testing the drug tirzepatide (Zepbound) in 40 older adults with obesity to see how it affects body composition, bone density, and physical function over nine months. Participants take weekly injections, track their diet and activity, and attend regular check-ins. The goal is to understand if tirzepatide can help older adults lose fat without losing muscle or bone strength.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- tirzepatide (Zepbound)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that tirzepatide helps older adults lose fat while preserving muscle and bone, pointing toward safer weight management in this age group.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study with only 40 participants and no comparison group, so results may not apply broadly. Tirzepatide can cause side effects like nausea or digestive issues.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
-
40 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jul 2025
- Expected to finish
-
Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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65 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * BMI 30-37 kg/m2 or BMI 27-\<30 kg/m2 with at least 1 weight-related comorbidity * community dwelling * able to provide own transportation to study visits * willing to provide informed consent * willing to take terzepatide for 9 months * agree to all study procedures/assessments * approved for participation by the study physician Exclusion Criteria: * dependent on a cane or walker or needing assistance with any activity of daily living * history of mild cognitive impairment or dementia or cognitive impairment on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA score \<22) * evidence of depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale score =\>16 * use of \>1 tobacco product/day or 4/week or vaped \>1/week in past year * excessive alcohol use in past month (\>7 drinks/week for women; \>14 drinks/week for men) * weight loss or gain \>5% in past 3 months * vegan or other severe dietary restriction * history of binge eating disorder * regular participation in high intensity aerobic or resistance exercise training \>150 mins/week * severe arthritis, fracture, chronic injury, or other musculoskeletal disorder that prevents walking independently * joint replacement or other orthopedic surgery in past 6 months or planned in next 12 months * osteoporosis (self report or DXA t-score \<= -2.5 on total hip and/or femoral neck) * uncontrolled hypertension (systolic \>160 OR diastolic \>100 mmHg) upon repeated assessments * type 1 diabetes * uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c \>7.5%), type 2 diabetes diagnosed within last year, or newly identified type 2 diabetes (HbA1c \>6.5%) * dialysis or abnormal kidney function (eGFR \<30 ml/min/1.73m2) * liver disease or abnormal liver function (ALT levels 2 times above normal limit) * severe anemia (Hb \<11 g/dL) * potassium or sodium above or below normal limits * uncontrolled thyroid disease (hypo/hyper) or requiring recent (past 3 months) adjustments in thyroid hormone supplementation or TSH \<0.45 or \>4.5 mU/L * stroke, heart attack, heart failure hospitalization, or revascularization procedure within the past year; New York heart failure Class \>2; COPD requiring oxygen use; uncontrolled angina; PAD diagnosis within the last year; progressive neurologic disease (e.g., Parkinson's, ALS, MS); other diseases suggesting a life-expectancy \<3 years * personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or any other cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancers) requiring treatment in past year * history of gastroparesis or pancreatitis * cholelithiasis, severe irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease * history of stomach or small intestinal surgery (except appendectomy but including surgery for weight loss) * recent (within 4 weeks) acute respiratory illness including influenza, COVID-19 * overnight hospitalization within the past 6 months * regular use of growth hormones, medications prescribed for weight management, prescription osteoporosis medications, certain prescription medications for diabetes including insulin, sulfonylurea, meglitinides, GLP-1 agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors * use of oral steroids for \>1 month within the last 3 months * current participation in another intervention research study * planned out of town trips greater than 3 weeks in the next year
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157, United States
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