Eli Lilly reported that the highest dosage of the retatrutide pill made patients lose an average 28% of their body weight|Eli Lilly and Company|Facebook
Eli Lilly claims its new weight loss pill, retatrutide, delivered record results in an 80-week phase 3 clinical trial of about 2,300 patients.
The triple-agonist medication, which mimics three hormones (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon), helped participants on the highest weekly dose lose an average of 28% of their body weight or about 70 pounds. Nearly half of them lost 30% of their weight or more.
The results suggest the drug could potentially reduce need for bariatric surgery, which typically averages a 25% to 35% weight loss within one to two years.
However, retatrutide was linked to side effects including nausea, constipation, and diarrhea, unusual skin sensations and urinary tract infections in some cases.
Additionally, Eli Lilly reported that the number of people quitting the trial was higher than what was seen for Zepbound. It also noted that the dropout rates were similar to those seen with Wegovy.
Eli Lilly plans to apply for FDA approval as early as this year. The weight loss treatment could be a game-changer for the estimated 10% of patients who do not respond to traditional GLP-1s.