Drugs and FDA
Lilly’s retatrutide led to weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes
In an 80-week trial, adults with type 2 diabetes taking the highest retatrutide dose lost an average of 18.8% of their body weight, versus 5.1% with placebo.
Eli Lilly’s experimental drug retatrutide led to weight loss and improved blood sugar control in an 80-week phase 3 trial of adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to results published in The Lancet. The Guardian and Time reported that participants on the 12 mg dose lost an average of 18.8% of their starting body weight, compared with 5.1% for placebo. NBC News reported losses of up to 60 pounds, or about 23% of body weight.
It said diarrhea occurred in 27-34% of participants taking retatrutide, and nausea in 14-28%.
Lilly has not submitted retatrutide for FDA approval. Time reported that the company plans to submit a request in early 2027.
Reporting on this story
- NBC News People with Type 2 diabetes lost up to 60 pounds on Lilly’s latest weight loss drug (opens in a new tab)
- The Guardian ‘Godzilla’ of weight-loss drugs could provide other important health benefits (opens in a new tab)
- Time Eli Lilly’s Experimental Weight-Loss Drug Shows Promising Results (opens in a new tab)
