New 'Godzilla' Fat Jab Retatrutide Shows Promising Weight Loss and Health Benefits in Trials
Research suggests the drug could help patients shed up to a quarter of their body weight and improve cardiovascular health.
A new experimental weight-loss drug, dubbed 'Godzilla' by some researchers, has demonstrated significant success in clinical trials, with the potential to rival existing treatments like Mounjaro. Retatrutide, a triple agonist drug, targets three hormone pathways involved in appetite control, leading to substantial weight reduction and improvements in blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
In a Phase 3 clinical trial named TRIUMPH-2, which involved 1,152 overweight and obese adults with type 2 diabetes, participants taking the highest dose of retatrutide (12mg) lost nearly a fifth of their body weight over 80 weeks. Nearly half of those on the highest dose lost at least 20% of their body weight, and almost one in three shed at least 25%.
These results compare favorably to Mounjaro, currently one of the most effective licensed weight-loss drugs, which helps users lose around 20.9% of their body weight over 16.5 months. Placebo participants in the retatrutide trial lost only 5% of their weight through diet and exercise alone.
Beyond weight loss, retatrutide showed considerable benefits for participants with type 2 diabetes. Nearly three-quarters of patients on the highest dose achieved blood sugar levels at or below the diagnostic threshold for diabetes, compared to 29% in the placebo group. Significant improvements were also observed in cholesterol levels and inflammation, key cardiovascular risk factors.
Retatrutide is a triple agonist, meaning it targets GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon hormone pathways. This multi-target approach is believed to contribute to its potent effects on appetite regulation and fat burning. For context, other popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy target one pathway (GLP-1), and Mounjaro targets two (GLP-1 and GIP).
While the trial results are encouraging, retatrutide, like other GLP-1-based medications, was associated with side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. Abnormal skin sensations were reported by 7% of participants on the highest dose. Seven deaths occurred during the study, though investigators deemed them unrelated to the treatment.
Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company developing retatrutide, has cautioned the public against obtaining the drug through unauthorized channels, such as social media, due to the risks associated with unapproved versions. The company has warned that individuals using counterfeit drugs from unofficial sources are putting their health at serious risk.
Retatrutide is not yet approved or available on the National Health Service (NHS) in Britain, but regulatory approval could lead to its availability within approximately three years, according to experts.
Separate research presented at the same conference highlighted another experimental drug, petrelintide, which mimics the hormone amylin. This drug also showed promise for weight loss comparable to Mounjaro but with fewer digestive side effects. However, further research, including direct comparisons with existing drugs, is needed to fully assess its potential.