Triple-action weekly diabetes jab shows blood sugar and weight reduction in trial
8 reported2 unconfirmed
A new triple-action weekly injection for type 2 diabetes, retatrutide, significantly reduced blood sugar and body weight in a phase 3 trial, according to results published in the Lancet. The trial involved 930 adults with type 2 diabetes who were not taking diabetes medicines and had inadequately controlled blood sugar and BMIs of at least 23. Participants received either 4mg, 9mg, or 12mg of retatrutide or a placebo for 40 weeks. The drug mimics three gut hormones—GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon—to control appetite, blood sugar, and metabolism. After 40 weeks, the average drop in HbA1c was about 1.7 to 1.9 percentage points for those on retatrutide, compared with 0.8 for placebo. Participants lost on average 11.5% to 15.3% of body weight on the drug, versus 2.6% with placebo. Fourteen participants experienced serious adverse events, including two in the placebo group, but most side effects were mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms that eased over time. The authors said the drug has potential to improve health outcomes, especially for patients needing more intensive treatment, and further trials are continuing.
What’s reported
The phase 3 trial involved 930 adults with type 2 diabetes who were not taking diabetes medicines and had BMIs of at least 23.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive 4mg, 9mg, or 12mg of retatrutide or a placebo for 40 weeks.
The drug mimics three gut hormones: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon.
Average drop in HbA1c was about 1.7-1.9 percentage points for retatrutide versus 0.8 for placebo.
Average weight loss was 11.5% to 15.3% of body weight on retatrutide versus 2.6% with placebo.
Cholesterol and blood pressure also improved for those on the drug.
Fourteen participants experienced serious adverse events, including two in the placebo group; most side effects were mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms.
The findings follow results from manufacturer Eli Lilly suggesting retatrutide was highly effective in reducing weight among patients with obesity.
Open questions
How retatrutide compares to currently available therapies such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, as the study compared it only to placebo.
The long-term effects of retatrutide and its effectiveness relative to existing treatments.
Key figures
Dr Kath McCullough, special adviser on obesity at the Royal College of Physicians
Dr Marie Spreckley, specialist in prevention of diabetes and related metabolic disorders at IMS Epidemiology, University of Cambridge
Dr Lucy Chambers, head of research impact and communications at Diabetes UK
Sources: The Guardian
