Understanding Artificial Pancreas Systems: Results from a 24-Month Trial

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Led to the most weight loss among all medications, about 30 pounds more than placebo

Showed strong blood sugar control, ranking among the top medications

Led to large BMI reduction, ranking third after two tirzepatide doses

Showed the best BMI reduction among all medications tested

Very good fasting blood sugar control, second only to pioglitazone

Strong cholesterol-lowering effects, working better than other medications

Best HbA1c reduction among all medications tested

Moderate weight loss, less than higher-dose semaglutide or liraglutide

Best fasting blood sugar reduction among all medications

Strong triglyceride lowering, ranking first among all medications

Caused weight gain despite good blood sugar and cholesterol effects

Good HbA1c reduction, ranking second after liraglutide

Modest weight effects, less than newer injectable drugs

Moderate fasting blood sugar reduction, less than pioglitazone or tirzepatide

Modest HbA1c reduction in people with prediabetes

Limited weight reduction compared to newer injectable drugs

Good kidney safety profile, though data were limited

These findings align with the landmark Diabetes Prevention Program, which showed metformin reduced diabetes progression by 31% compared to placebo. This review confirms metformin works moderately well but shows newer drugs may offer stronger benefits for weight and blood sugar together.

The strong weight loss with semaglutide matches findings from the STEP trials in people with obesity and prediabetes. The good results with tirzepatide fit with recent trials showing dual hormone drugs work better than single hormone drugs, though this is the first broad comparison specifically in prediabetes.

Earlier reviews of pioglitazone showed similar blood sugar benefits but raised concerns about weight gain and other risks like heart failure and fractures. This review confirms those concerns while showing how newer drugs offer better weight profiles. Results for DPP-4 drugs were modest, matching earlier reviews showing limited benefits compared to metformin or lifestyle changes.

This review includes 55 studies with over 16,000 people and used careful methods to compare different medications. The analysis looked at multiple outcomes for both effectiveness and safety.

However, most studies compared medications to placebo rather than directly to each other, which limits certainty. Results varied quite a bit between studies, especially for fasting blood sugar. Most participants were of European ancestry, which may limit how well results apply to other groups. Some newer medications had small sample sizes, and study lengths varied from 3 months to over 2 years.

Newer medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide appear to offer the best combined benefits for weight loss and blood sugar control in people with prediabetes who are overweight

Older medications like pioglitazone lower blood sugar effectively but cause weight gain, which limits their usefulness

Effects vary by medication type, with no single drug working best for all outcomes

This large review suggests newer medications may help people with prediabetes who need both weight loss and blood sugar control

The evidence appears strongest for semaglutide for weight loss and tirzepatide for combined weight and blood sugar benefits

Older medications like pioglitazone work well for blood sugar but the weight gain concern limits their appeal

Metformin remains a reasonable option given its long track record and moderate benefits, though newer drugs may work better for some people

The review compared 37 different medication doses across nine drug types: metformin at various doses, GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide and liraglutide, the dual drug tirzepatide, SGLT-2 drugs like dapagliflozin, DPP-4 drugs, thiazolidinediones like pioglitazone, acarbose, orlistat, and vitamin D. Most studies compared these to placebo or lifestyle changes rather than to each other.

Participants averaged age 51, half were women, with average weight of 196 pounds and BMI of 31. Most took medications once daily or once weekly depending on the specific drug.

Metformin, Semaglutide, Liraglutide, Exenatide, Tirzepatide, Dapagliflozin, Sitagliptin, Vildagliptin, Saxagliptin, Linagliptin, Cofrogliptin, Pioglitazone, Rosiglitazone, Troglitazone, Acarbose, Orlistat, Vitamin D, Lifestyle intervention, GLP-1 receptor agonists, GIP/GLP-1 dual agonists, SGLT-2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, Thiazolidinediones, Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors

Wu Y, Wang Z, Tuersun A, et al. Efficacy and safety of anti-prediabetic drugs in patients with prediabetes: a Bayesian network meta-analysis. BMC Med. 2026;24:174. doi:10.1186/s12916-026-04705-2

Semaglutide 2.4 mg led to the most weight loss at about 30 pounds more than placebo. Tirzepatide 15 mg showed the best BMI reduction and strong blood sugar control with cholesterol benefits. Liraglutide 1.2 mg lowered HbA1c the most. Pioglitazone 30 mg had strong effects on fasting blood sugar and triglycerides but caused weight gain. Metformin showed moderate blood sugar benefits but less weight loss than newer drugs. None of the medications showed more overall side effects than placebo, though stomach problems were more common with newer injectable drugs.

Most studies compared to placebo, not to each other

Study lengths ranged from 3 months to 2+ years

Most participants were of European ancestry

Newer drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide appear best for weight and blood sugar in prediabetes.

Most studies compared drugs to placebo rather than head-to-head; results varied widely between studies for some outcomes; study lengths ranged from 3 months to 2+ years; limited data on stomach and kidney side effects; most participants were of European ancestry; some newer drugs had small sample sizes

Weight → ↓ (strong with semaglutide, tirzepatide)

Cholesterol → ↓ (moderate with tirzepatide, pioglitazone)

American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Care, 2025

Prevention or delay of diabetes and associated comorbidities: Standards of Care in Diabetes 2025

Diagnosis and management of prediabetes: A review

Madsen et al., Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2019

Metformin for prevention or delay of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its associated complications

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CDC: Prediabetes - Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Researchers searched medical databases from 1996 through March 2025 for studies testing nine types of diabetes medications in adults with prediabetes. They included 55 studies with 16,610 participants aged 18-75 who had prediabetes based on blood tests.

The analysis compared weight loss, blood sugar control, cholesterol levels, and side effects across different medications. Studies lasted at least 12 weeks, with most running 6 months to 1 year. Statistical methods accounted for differences between studies and checked result consistency.

Newer diabetes drugs show stronger weight and blood sugar benefits in prediabetes

This review compared nine types of diabetes medications in over 16,000 adults with prediabetes across 55 studies. The medications included metformin, newer injectable drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide, and older pills like pioglitazone.

Newer medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide showed the best combined effects for weight loss and blood sugar control. Semaglutide 2.4 mg led to the most weight loss at about 30 pounds. Liraglutide worked best for lowering HbA1c. Older medications like pioglitazone lowered blood sugar effectively but caused weight gain. The newer drugs had more stomach-related side effects but were generally safe.

Most studies compared drugs to placebo rather than directly to each other, so we can't be certain which drug works best

Results varied between studies, and most studies lasted less than 2 years, so longer-term effects are unclear

The newer injectable drugs cost more and cause stomach side effects more often than metformin

55 studies with 16,610 adults with prediabetes testing nine medication types over 3 months to 2+ years

Adults aged 18-75 with prediabetes based on blood tests showing HbA1c of 5.7-6.4% or elevated fasting blood sugar

This review compared nine types of diabetes medications in over 16,000 adults with prediabetes across 55 studies. The medications included metformin, newer injectable drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide, and older pills like pioglitazone.
Newer medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide showed the best combined effects for weight loss and blood sugar control. Semaglutide 2.4 mg led to the most weight loss at about 30 pounds. Liraglutide worked best for lowering HbA1c. Older medications like pioglitazone lowered blood sugar effectively but caused weight gain. The newer drugs had more stomach-related side effects but were generally safe.

Newer diabetes drugs show stronger weight and blood sugar benefits in prediabetes

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