Retatrutide injectable cuts weight and blood sugar in phase‑3 trial for type‑2 diabetes

A phase‑3, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial of the weekly injectable retatrutide, a triple‑action hormone drug (GLP‑1, GIP, glucagon), was conducted in 48 cities across the United States, Mexico and India. The study enrolled 537 adults with type‑2 diabetes, administering 4‑, 9‑ or 12‑mg doses to 403 participants while 134 received placebo.

Patients receiving retatrutide lost roughly four times more weight and achieved more than a two‑fold reduction in blood‑sugar levels compared with placebo. The drug also improved cholesterol and blood‑pressure measures. Twelve participants experienced severe adverse events; the majority reported only mild to moderate side effects that resolved over time. The trial, led by researcher Harpreet S. Bajaj and published in The Lancet, suggests retatrutide could become a monotherapy option for type‑2 diabetes patients who do not achieve control with diet and exercise alone.