A new experimental drug called retatrutide could help people lose significant weight while also improving their overall health. In a large international trial involving more than 2,000 adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes, participants taking the highest dose of the drug lost nearly 19 percent of their body weight on average over 80 weeks.
Retatrutide works by mimicking three different natural hormones in the gut that control appetite, blood sugar, and metabolism: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon. Older weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro target only one or two of these hormones. The addition of glucagon helps the body burn more energy, making retatrutide more powerful than existing treatments.
In addition to weight loss, the trial showed other important health improvements. About 72 percent of participants on the medication reduced their blood sugar to healthy levels. The treatment also lowered markers of inflammation and improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which can help protect against heart disease.
However, the drug is not without side effects. The most common issues were digestive problems, including diarrhoea and nausea. Retatrutide has not yet been approved by medical regulators, but researchers say the findings offer strong hope for future treatments for obesity and diabetes.