New drugs against obesitypromise to be cheaper and more effective than the options already available, such as Ozempic and Wegovy.
It is expected that two of these drugs will become available for purchase in the coming years, offering several advantages over those already on the market.
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The first, called OrforgliPron, is easier to use and produce, and will likely be cheaper than current treatments.
The second, Retatrutide, presents an unprecedented level of efficacy and may raise the standard of pharmacological treatment against obesity.
Results from phase two clinical trials of both drugs were released at an American Diabetes Association meeting and in the New England Journal of Medicine.
These results provide data on the effectiveness of a drug and optimal dosing in a small group of participants.
Both drugs mimic hormones produced by the intestinal lining in response to certain nutrients.
These hormones help reduce appetite by acting on receptors in the brain and slowing the passage of food through the digestive tract.
Similar drugs were initially developed to combat diabetes, with weight loss as an added benefit.
In recent years, two GLP-1 receptor agonists, which cause significant weight loss, have been launched on the market.
One of them, trizepatida (marketed as Mounjaro), has been approved for the treatment of diabetes only. The other approved drug, Semaglutide, is sold under two names: Ozempic, for the treatment of diabetes, and Wegovy, for the treatment of obesity.
Wegovy and Mounjaro require weekly injections, which many people find unpleasant. Furthermore, these drugs belong to a group of molecules called peptides, which are expensive and laborious to produce.
In addition, their prices are over US$1,000 per month, and the scarcity of supplies sometimes makes it difficult to obtain these drugs.
Orforglipron, in turn, is a non-peptide molecule that can be easily produced and packaged in pill form, making it more affordable than current drugs.
Retatrutide, on the other hand, demonstrated to be able to reduce weight of a person by up to 24.2%, in 11 months of treatment, against an average of 15 to 20% of current medications.
Despite the unpleasant side effects, the new treatments represent significant advances in the treatment of obesity, offering fast and effective relief.
While additional research is needed, experts are optimistic that these drugs could have significant benefits for those struggling with obesity.