New Obesity Drug Retatrutide Shows Up to 25% Weight Loss in Trials
A new obesity drug, retatrutide, enabled participants to lose an average of up to 25% of their body weight in late-stage clinical trials and improved cardiometabolic health.
A newly developed obesity drug, retatrutide, has shown promising results in late-stage clinical trials, meeting high expectations. Patients with obesity who received the highest dose of the drug lost an average of 25 percent of their body weight after 80 weeks, and an average of 30 percent after an extended period of 104 weeks. These findings are considered a significant step forward in obesity treatment.
Highlights
- Retatrutide is a triple-hormone obesity drug that mimics GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon.
- Participants on the highest dose lost an average of 25 percent of their body weight after 80 weeks.
- More than a third of trial participants achieved 30 percent or more weight loss.
- The drug reduced knee pain by up to 62 percent in those with obesity-linked knee osteoarthritis and sleep apnea events by up to 57 percent in those with obstructive sleep apnea.
- Overall improvements were observed in cardiometabolic measurements, including blood pressure, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol.
Details
The trial, which began in 2023, involved 2,339 participants across 131 clinical trial sites in 11 countries. Participants were divided into four groups, receiving either 4 mg, 9 mg, 12 mg of retatrutide, or a placebo. The average starting weight for all groups was approximately 113 kg (250 pounds), with an average Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40. The drug also resolved prediabetes in over 90 percent of participants who had the condition at the start of the study.
Developed by Eli Lilly, retatrutide distinguishes itself from other drugs in this class by targeting glucagon in addition to GLP-1 and GIP. These three hormones play complex and overlapping roles in regulating the body's blood sugar levels, feelings of fullness, and metabolic factors. The drug's safety profile appears similar to existing GLP-1-based medications, with common side effects being transient, mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.
Why it matters
The significant weight loss percentages and cardiometabolic benefits achieved by retatrutide could usher in a new, more effective era in obesity treatment. Its potential for a more potent effect than existing drugs offers hope for millions of people living with obesity. However, larger and longer trials directly comparing retatrutide to existing treatments are still needed.