In addition to treating obesity, retatrutide can also fight diabetes. The drug is in the testing and development phase
Retatrutide is the newest drug being tested for the treatment of obesity. Phase 3 trials are expected to end only in February 2026. It is not yet predicted when the drug will be available for sale, whether it will pass the tests. However, until then, the medicine looks quite promising.
According to Dr. Thiago Garcia, a nutritionist specializing in sports nutrition, obesity and weight loss, retatrutide is an injectable drug that aims to effectively treat obesity and type 2 diabetes.
“The medicine works by influencing the receptors of three fundamental hormones that play a crucial role in controlling satiety, hunger and regulating glucose and insulin levels in the body,” explains the doctor.
These hormones are GLP-1, responsible for the feeling of satiety, glucagon (GCG), which increases blood glucose levels, and GIP, which regulates insulin secretion. “The combination of these effects works synergistically, causing an increased sense of satiety and a reduction in appetite,” says Thiago.
Does the retrofit have any differences?
According to the nutritionist the answer is yes. “The distinctive feature of Retatrutide lies precisely in its unique ability to influence these three metabolic pathways in combination. This differentiates it from previously known drugs, which generally do not act simultaneously on these three hormones. Therefore, it provides a more comprehensive and promising approach in the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes”, he underlines.
It is also worth pointing out that liraglutide and semaglutide, other obesity drugs, are analogues of the GLP-1 hormone. However, they present notable differences in terms of half-life and frequency of application.
“Liraglutide requires daily applications, while semaglutide allows weekly applications. The main distinction between these drugs and retatrutide lies in the fact that liraglutide and semaglutide exclusively affect the receptors of the GLP-1 hormone, while retatrutide acts on the receptors of three different hormones: GLP- 1, GIP and glucagon”, he reinforces.
According to the expert, the ability of retatrutide to simultaneously influence these three hormonal mechanisms represents an innovative approach, which could lead to more significant weight loss than other drugs available on the market. “His results were compared to those obtained with bariatric surgery,” the doctor says.
Is it possible to predict any side effects?
Retatrutida research is progressing and awaits a new phase. However, it is already possible to identify some side effects. According to Thiago, preliminary studies have identified mainly gastrointestinal complications, the severity of which varies depending on the dosage of the drug administered. “These complications manifested themselves in the form of symptoms that included nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation, most of which were mild to moderate in intensity,” he indicates.
In testing phase
The expert underlines that the results obtained with retatrutida come from a phase 2 study, conducted with a limited number of participants. “To obtain more solid information on the safety and efficacy of the medicine, more in-depth investigations will be essential, which should be completed in the coming years,” he emphasizes.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
