Retatrutide trial: Triple action jab can cause weight loss of up to 25%, results suggest

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A phase 3 randomized trial found that retatrutide, an investigational triple-hormone receptor agonist, may help people with obesity and type 2 diabetes lose up to 25% of their weight while improving blood glucose control. The drug is not approved, and UK regulators have warned against purchasing purported supplies from online sellers.

A next generation weight loss drug, retatrutide, could cut the weight of people living with obesity and type 2 diabetes by up to a quarter, new trial results suggest.1Retatrutide, which has not yet been approved by any regulatory agency, also improved glycaemic control, the phase 3 double blind, randomised controlled trial found.The drug is a triple hormone receptor agonist. It targets glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors, as well as glucagon. By contrast, semaglutide (Wegovy or Ozempic) targets only GLP-1 receptors and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) targets GLP-1 and GIP.The results come amid increasing concern that patients are securing and taking supplies of substances claiming to be retatrutide from online sellers.2 This summer the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warned people “not to be tempted by the online hype around retatrutide.”3The agency said it is not authorised for use in the UK and anyone selling it...