**New Weight Loss Medication Amycretin Shows Promising Results in Early Trials**
A new medication designed to support weight loss has demonstrated notable outcomes in a series of early trials, with some participants dropping almost a quarter of their body weight in less than a year. The experimental drug, named amycretin, can be administered in both injectable and tablet forms, potentially offering fresh hope for millions in the UK seeking effective ways to combat obesity.
Early data from a clinical study involving 125 adults has seen those given the highest weekly dose of injectable amycretin experience an average weight loss of 24.3% after 36 weeks. In addition, a separate trial evaluating the oral version of the drug found that patients receiving daily tablets lost, on average, 13.1% of their body weight over just 12 weeks. These promising results have sparked excitement among researchers and health professionals alike.
The innovation arrives at a critical time, as the NHS continues to regard weight loss injections as “transformative” for tackling rising obesity rates. However, administering medication by injection places extra demands on an already stretched healthcare system, making a tablet alternative particularly appealing for both patients and providers.
Recent estimates suggest that around 1.5 million people in the UK are currently using weight loss injections, either through NHS specialist services or private healthcare providers. With GPs soon to be able to prescribe these jabs more widely, public interest in such treatments is set to grow.
Amycretin, created by Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk, works by targeting two receptors in the body—GLP-1 and the amylin receptor—which regulate both appetite and blood sugar levels. The compound’s dual-action mechanism is thought to enhance its effectiveness compared to earlier weight loss drugs, many of which only acted on a single pathway.
The first study, published in The Lancet, investigated the safety and effectiveness of weekly amycretin injections. Participants who received the highest tested dose (60mg) saw dramatic reductions in their body weight, whilst also benefiting from improved blood sugar control. The most common side effects reported were nausea and vomiting, which were generally mild to moderate and subsided after the course of treatment.
Highlighting the significance of these findings, the trial authors stated, “These phase 1b/2a data support the potential of once-weekly subcutaneous amycretin as a therapeutic option for people living with overweight or obesity. The treatment appeared to be safe and tolerable, and gave rise to substantial weight reduction over 36 weeks.”
In a second trial published alongside the first, researchers studied the effectiveness of amycretin in tablet form over a shorter period. Among 144 participants, those given the highest dose—100mg each day—lost 13.1% of their body weight in just under three months. Side effects were similar to those seen with the injection and included appetite loss, nausea, and vomiting.
The authors added, “Amycretin effectively lowered body weight and improved metabolic and glycaemic measures in those with overweight or obesity. Further, longer-term studies involving more participants are needed to assess the drug’s safety and effectiveness in people with both obesity and type 2 diabetes, and to determine the optimal dosage.”
Further boosting interest in pharmaceutical interventions for obesity, the findings were presented at the American Diabetes Association’s annual conference in Chicago. There, a separate study revealed results from trials on Wegovy—a well-known weight loss jab made from semaglutide—at increased dosages. That investigation found that patients on 7.2mg weekly doses saw an average weight loss of 20.7% over 72 weeks, with more than a third losing a quarter or more of their starting body weight.
As obesity and its related health problems continue to be a major concern, these early results from amycretin trials offer a glimmer of hope for individuals struggling to lose weight through traditional means. However, medical experts emphasize that longer trials are needed to fully understand the safety profile and long-term benefits of these new interventions. If further research confirms these early results, amycretin could soon become a key tool in the fight against obesity in the UK and beyond.