Mounjaro Shows Breakthrough Results in Kids with Type 2 Diabetes

Original posted at obesity.news/ on Sep 19, 2025

It’s one thing to see the impact of GLP-1 medicines on adults. But now, for the first time, we’re staring at data showing what tirzepatide can do for children and teens living with type 2 diabetes. And the results… they’re nothing short of powerful.

In the SURPASS-PEDS Phase 3 trial, kids and adolescents ages 10 to 17 saw their average A1C drop by 2.2% when taking Mounjaro compared to virtually no improvement on placebo. This is massive news. These young people started with an average A1C over 8%,a number that often feels impossible to control with metformin or basal insulin alone. On Mounjaro, many reached levels doctors dream of for their patients: nearly 9 out of 10 on the 10 mg dose hit an A1C of 6.5% or lower.

And it wasn’t just blood sugar. These kids also experienced a drop in BMI of more than 11% at 30 weeks, a reduction that actually grew stronger as the study stretched out to 52 weeks. For a disease that too often sets children on a path toward complications in their twenties and thirties, this is more than a statistic. It’s a chance to change the trajectory of a life.

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Dr. Tamara Hannon, the lead investigator, said it plainly: type 2 diabetes in kids is aggressive, and first-line treatments often fail them. This trial suggests Mounjaro might rewrite that story.

Of course, there are caveats. As is typical of incretin therapies, gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea were common, though usually mild to moderate. And Lilly has only just submitted these results to regulators, meaning we’re not at an FDA green light for pediatric use yet. Right now, the official label still says it’s not known if Mounjaro is safe and effective for children.

But here’s the part we can’t overlook: we still don’t know what long-term use of GIP-based medicines will mean for children. This is the very first trial of its kind. The story it tells is hopeful, but incomplete. That’s why, on balance, the message here is both promising and cautious. Mounjaro might shift the trajectory for kids with type 2 diabetes, but we must ensure that this hope is matched with careful, ongoing study before rushing into widespread use.

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Do you think the FDA should move quickly on this approval, or should they wait for more long-term safety data? Share your thoughts below, and share with a parent or friend who needs to know about this breakthrough.

Stay tuned to OnThePen.com for more updates and in-depth analysis on the latest developments in weight loss and diabetes treatments. Sharing this article is a powerful form of advocacy that brings us closer to our goal of educating the masses and reducing the stigma of obesity. If you found this article insightful, please share it within your networks, especially in Facebook groups and Reddit forums dedicated to GLP-1 medications and diabetes management. Together, we can make a difference.