Retatrutide is an investigational medication currently under development for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. It is a novel, once-weekly injectable drug designed to act on multiple hormone pathways to regulate body weight and glucose metabolism.
Mechanism of Action:
Retatrutide is a multi-receptor agonist targeting the receptors for three key hormones:
Clinical Development:
Mechanism of Action:
Retatrutide is a multi-receptor agonist targeting the receptors for three key hormones:
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1): Similar to other GLP-1 receptor agonists, it helps increase insulin secretion, decrease glucagon secretion, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite.
- Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP): Enhances insulin secretion in response to food intake and improves insulin sensitivity.
- Glucagon: Involved in increasing energy expenditure and promoting fat breakdown.
Clinical Development:
- Phase of Development: Retatrutide is in clinical trials, and early studies have shown promising results in terms of significant weight loss and improved blood glucose control.
- Potential Indications: Obesity and type 2 diabetes management, with ongoing studies to evaluate its safety and efficacy.
- Retatrutide is administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection.
- Early clinical trial data suggest that Retatrutide may offer significant weight reduction and better control of blood glucose levels compared to existing treatments.
- Common side effects observed in clinical trials include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- As it is still under investigation, the full profile of potential side effects and long-term safety is not yet fully established.