The Latest Updates: 16 New Weight Loss Drugs on the Horizon

There's not a body out there that's better than your own. It's the vehicle that takes you through life. And no matter what size, shape, or height it is, there are countless reasons to be proud of it.

Still, some internal or external factors may be driving you to try to lower your body weight. Perhaps, it's wanting to improve your body image. Or maybe it's related to a health issue your prescriber warned you about. Regardless, there are steps you can take to help you meet your health goals.

When possible, a nutritious diet and routine exercise are ideal ways to lose body weight. But, if needed, medication is another way to help promote weight loss. While there are multiple weight-loss medications already on the market, there are also several promising treatments in clinical trials.

1. Oral semaglutide

What it is: Oral semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. It mimics the effects of GLP-1, a gut hormone that's involved in blood glucose (sugar) control, digestion, and appetite management.

How it's administered: Oral semaglutide is a tablet that's taken once daily.

Status: Novo Nordisk - the manufacturer of oral semaglutide - was reportedly planning on applying for FDA approval for weight management in 2023. But there haven't been many updates from the manufacturer since then. The FDA would need several months to review the application after it's submitted.

Effectiveness: Oral semaglutide was studied for weight loss in a phase 3 study called OASIS 1. People taking semaglutide 50 mg once daily lost up to 15% of their initial body weight after about 15 months (68 weeks) of use. This is comparable to Wegovy's weight loss benefits, which is an injectable version of semaglutide.

Other considerations: Semaglutide is already available in the form of three FDA-approved products: Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy. Ozempic, an injectable medication, and Rybelsus, an oral tablet, are both approved to treat Type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is approved for chronic weight management.

Latest news on oral semaglutide

October 1, 2024

In a Dutch study of adults with Type 2 diabetes, oral semaglutide led to a meaningful reduction in body weight after 9 months of use. By the end of the study, participants lost an average of nearly 6 kg (13 lbs). This real world data was collected by health clinics outside of a traditional clinical trial. People in this study were also taking lower doses of semaglutide compared to what was studied in the OASIS trial (mentioned above).

Weight loss was only one metric the study looked at. Other key statistics include:

• A1C levels went down by 1.2% on average - this was the study's primary endpoint

• Over 80% of participants found oral semaglutide easy to take

• Most side effects were mild to moderate in severity; more severe side effects occurred in about 5% of people

2. Orforglipron

What it is:Orforglipron is an oral GLP-1 agonist. Unlike injectable GLP-1 agonists, it's made of chemicals - not peptides (amino acid chains). This helps it survive in your stomach better.

How it's administered: Orforglipron is an oral capsule that's taken once daily.

Status: A phase 3 study for orforglipron is underway for chronic weight management in adults. It kicked off in June 2023, and it's set to run until mid 2027.

Effectiveness: A phase 2 trial found that orforglipron may help people lose up to 15% of their body weight after about 8 months (36 weeks). It may also offer some heart-related benefits.

Other considerations: Because of its design, some experts predict that orforglipron will be easy to produce in bulk. Meanwhile, competitor GLP-1 agonists, such as Wegovy, are peptides that are relatively hard to make. In turn, this may translate to orforglipron being a more affordable weight-loss medication.

Latest news on orforglipron

December 8, 2023

A systematic review of seven studies found that people taking orforglipron for chronic weight management or Type 2 diabetes experienced significantly more weight loss than people taking a placebo pill (a pill that contains no medication).

Some side effects were noted in the review, too. People taking orforglipron had a significantly higher risk of developing gut-related side effects (such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation) or side effects that made them stop taking the medicine. This is early data, though. The authors noted that more research is still needed to look into the safety and effectiveness of oral GLP-1 agonists.

The same findings apply to danuglipron, discussed next.

3. Danuglipron

What it is:Danuglipron is an oral GLP-1 pill. It works the same way as orforglipron.

How it's administered: Danuglipron is an oral tablet. Initially studied as a twice-daily medication, a once-daily version is now in development.

Status: Twice-daily danuglipron completed its phase 2 studies. But the data was mixed, so Pfizer - danuglipron's manufacturer - is now studying the benefits and risks of a once-daily version. Pfizer is using the second half of 2024 to evaluate different doses of the once-daily version.

Effectiveness: Compared to placebo, twice-daily danuglipron helped people lose up to 13% of their initial body weight after 32 weeks (7 months) of treatment. At this time, we don't know how effective the once-daily version of danuglipron will be.

Latest news on danuglipron

October 1, 2024

Pfizer announced that it's moving forward with a specific version of its once-daily, modified-release danuglipron pill. This is based on phase 1 study findings that evaluated different immediate- and modified-release formulations of the medication. Further studies assessing the medication are now on deck.

4. APHD-012

What it is:APHD-012 is an oral medicine that imitates the metabolic effects of gastric bypass (weight loss) surgery. It's a glucose pill that's designed to stimulate certain parts of your small intestine.

How it's administered: APHD-012 is a once-daily oral medication. Its manufacturer is calling it a distal jejunal-release dextrose bead.

Status: APHD-012's phase 2 trial finished enrolling its initial set of trial participants in April 2024. If data ends up being positive, a phase 3 study would likely come next.

Effectiveness: We don't know exactly how effective APHD-012 will be. Initial effectiveness data is expected by the end of 2024.

Latest news on APHD-012

October 1, 2024

APHD-012 is also being studied for prediabetes. A phase 2 study found that the medication helps improve glucose tolerance in adults with prediabetes.

After taking the medication once daily for 6 weeks, people in the study were able to perform better on an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). An OGTT is a diagnostic tool that helps evaluate how well your body is able to process sugars. The medication was also well tolerated overall.

5. ARD-101

What it is: ARD-101 is an oral medication. It targets "bitter taste receptors" in your gut and activates appetite-suppressing hormones such as GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), and cholecystokinin.

How it's administered: ARD-101 is an oral pill that's taken twice daily.

Status: ARD-101 is enrolled in three phase 2 studies. Two are already completed, and the third is set to conclude by December 2024. A phase 3 study for Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a genetic condition that causes a hard-to-satisfy appetite, is coming up.

Effectiveness: Current data suggests that ARD-101 reduces hunger 2.5 times more than placebo among adults who are considered obese. This may lead to weight loss.

Other considerations: ARD-101 may help reduce hunger and cravings following weight-loss surgery in adults. And it may have similar effects for people living with PWS.

Latest news on ARD-101

October 9, 2023

ARD-101 is being studied for three possible uses. But its potential to treat PWS is turning heads. ARD-101's manufacturer recently announced that the medication secured two regulatory designations from the FDA for PWS:

• Orphan Drug: This status is given to certain medications in development for rare health conditions. It helps speed up the FDA approval process, and it also comes with financial incentives.

• Rare Pediatric Disease: This status is awarded to certain medications that treat serious health conditions in kids and teens. It helps speed up the FDA review process.

6. Oral amycretin

What it is: Amycretin is an oral medication that's being developed for chronic weight management. It's a dual GLP-1 and amylin agonist. Amylin is a hormone that helps you feel more full after meals.

How it's administered: Amycretin is a once-daily oral tablet. But an under-the-skin amycretin injection is being developed too.

Status: Amycretin completed a phase 1 trial in December 2023. A phase 2 study is expected to begin in the second half of 2024. An executive at Novo Nordisk predicted that amycretin will likely be available sometime this decade (before 2030).

Effectiveness: Early phase 1 data suggests that amycretin may give semaglutide a run for its money. In the study, people lost an average of 13% of their initial body weight after 12 weeks (3 months) of use.

Latest news on amycretin

October 1, 2024

Novo Nordisk recently announced that amycretin was well tolerated in its small phase 1 trial. It shared similar side effects to other incretin medications, such as Wegovy and Zepbound (tirzepatide). Most of these side effects were mild to moderate in nature and were related to the gastrointestinal (GI) system. It wasn't directly linked to any severe side effects.

This data was shared during a September presentation at a European diabetes conference. Amycretin's safety and tolerability will continue to be studied in upcoming trials.

7. Monlunabant

What it is:Monlunabant is an oral medication in development for chronic weight management and other metabolic disorders. A  small molecule oral cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) inverse agonist, it's thought to help lessen your appetite and support your metabolism.

How it's administered: Monlunabant is an oral tablet taken once daily.

Status: Monulubant's manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, released an initial set of phase 2 trial results in September 2024. Another phase 2 trial is reportedly set to start in 2025.

Effectiveness: In a phase 2 study, people who took monulubant lost an average of 7 kg (15 lbs) after 16 weeks (4 months) of use. By comparison, people taking placebo lost a little less than 1 kg (1 lbs to 2 lbs).

Latest news on monlunabant

October 1, 2024

As with many other weight-loss medications, monulubant is linked to mild to moderate GI-related side effects. But it may also cause some brain-related side effects, especially at higher doses. Some people taking the medication in clinical trials have reported feelings of irritability, anxiety, and/or sleep troubles. Monlunabant's side effect profile will continue to be evaluated in upcoming studies.

8. GSBR-1290

What it is:GSBR-1290 is another oral GLP-1 medication in development for chronic weight management and Type 2 diabetes. It works similarly to other products in its class.

How it's administered: GSBR-1290 is a once-daily pill. It's been studied as both a capsule and tablet, but the tablet is slated to be the preferred formulation moving forward.

Status: GSBR-1290's manufacturer, Structure Therapeutics, released phase 2 study results in June 2024. A 36-week (8 month) phase 2 study is expected to start in late 2024.

Effectiveness: Compared to placebo, GSBR-1290 helped study participants lose more than 6% of their initial body weight after 12 weeks (3 months) of use.

Latest news on GSBR-1290

There's no recent news for GSBR-1290. Check back with GoodRx for updates.

9. Retatrutide

What it is:Retatrutide is a medication that's being studied for weight loss and Type 2 diabetes in adults. Retatrutide works by attaching to three receptors (proteins): GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), GLP-1, and glucagon.

How it's administered: Retatrutide is an injectable medication that's administered under the skin once weekly.

Status: A phase 3 weight loss study is currently in process. It's set to finish by early 2026. If data is positive, a FDA approval request will likely follow.

Effectiveness: Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of retatrutide, estimates that the medication may help people lose up to 24% of their initial body weight after about 11 months (48 weeks). It may be even more effective than Zepbound for weight loss. Other papers speak to its significant weight loss benefits, too.

Latest news on retatrutide

November 16, 2023

Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University recently shared findings that suggest retatrutide can help reduce liver fat levels. A new analysis of a phase 2 trial found that more than 85% of people who received retatrutide for 48 weeks saw their metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) go away.

For context, people who are considered obese have a higher risk of developing MASLD. If left unmanaged, it could eventually lead to liver scarring or other health complications.

10. CagriSema

What it is: CagriSema is a combination treatment that combines two injectable medications (cagrilintide and semaglutide) into one. Cagrilintide mimics amylin, while semaglutide mimics GLP-1.

How it's administered: CagriSema is an injectable medication that's administered under the skin once weekly.

Status: A phase 3 weight loss study started in November 2022. It's scheduled to run through October 2026.

Effectiveness: Phase 2 study results suggest that CagriSema leads to significantly more weight loss than cagrilintide and semaglutide by themselves. After about 7 months (32 weeks), adults receiving weekly CagriSema lost an average of 15% of their initial body weight.

Latest news on CagriSema

November 16, 2023

CagriSema's manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, is looking to see if their medication is more effective than Zepbound (tirzepatide) - a medication that was approved for chronic weight management in November 2023. They recently kicked off a phase 3 study that will directly compare the safety and effectiveness of these two treatments for weight management. The study is set to last until late 2025.

11. Ecnoglutide

What it is: Ecnoglutide (also called XW003) is another GLP-1 agonist; it's thought to be a longer-lasting alternative to Saxenda (liraglutide). Saxenda is a once daily, injectable GLP-1 agonist that's approved for weight loss.

How it's administered: Ecnoglutide is an injectable medication that's administered under the skin once weekly.

Status: Ecnoglutide is being studied in several China-based phase 3 studies for weight loss and Type 2 diabetes in adults. They're scheduled to run until late 2024 and early 2025.

Effectiveness: In a phase 2 study, ecnoglutide led to larger reductions in body weight than Saxenda. People receiving weekly ecnoglutide lost up to 15% of their initial body weight after about 6 months (26 weeks); people receiving daily Saxenda lost up to 9%.

Latest news on ecnoglutide

April 1, 2024

An oral version of ecnoglutide (called XW004) recently posted encouraging phase 1 trial results. In this small 6-week study, people who received the once-daily tablet lost an average of nearly 7% of their initial body weight. Those who received placebo lost about 1% of their body weight over the same time frame. Additional studies are now on deck.

12. Mazdutide

What it is:Mazdutide (also called IBI362) is a GLP-1 agonist that also mimics glucagon. It's being studied for weight loss and Type 2 diabetes in adults.

How it's administered: Mazdutide is an injectable medication that's administered under the skin once weekly.

Status: Mazdutide is enrolled in several phase 3 studies in China. They're set to run through 2024 and 2025.

Effectiveness: Phase 2 study results suggest that mazdutide promotes more weight loss than placebo. After about 6 months (24 weeks), people receiving mazdutide lost about 15% more of their body weight than people receiving placebo.

Latest news on mazdutide

October 1, 2024

A recent phase 3 study found that mazdutide outperformed Trulicity (dulaglutide) at lowering body weight and A1C. This 6-month study included adults living with Type 2 diabetes.

By the end of the study, those who received mazdutide lost an average of 7% to 9% of their initial body weight. People receiving Trulicity lost an average of 3% of their initial body weight. What's more, more people receiving mazdutide achieved a target A1C of 6.5% or lower.

13. Survodutide

What it is: Survodutide activates GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, similar to mazdutide.

How it's administered: Survodutide is an injectable medication that's administered under the skin once weekly.

Status: Survodutide recently completed its phase 2 clinical studies. Phase 3 studies are set to run from November 2023 through January 2026.

Effectiveness: Participants in a recent phase 2 study lost up to 19% of their initial body weight after using survodutide for about 10 months (46 weeks). Everyone in the study was considered overweight or obese.

Latest news on survodutide

April 12, 2024

Survodutide may be able to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a form of MASLD. People who are considered overweight or obese have a higher risk for developing MASH.

In a recent 48-week phase 2 study, over 80% of people who received survodutide experienced significant improvements in their liver biopsy reports. By comparison, nearly 20% of people receiving a placebo saw similar results.

14. VK2735

What it is: VK2735 is a GLP-1/GIP agonist medication, similar to tirzepatide.

How it's administered: VK2735 is injected under the skin once weekly. A tablet version of the medication is also in the works, but it's in earlier stages of development.

Status: Injectable VK2735 has completed its phase 2 trial for weight loss. The study kicked off in September 2023, and it ended in the first portion of 2024. Plans for a phase 3 study are ahead of schedule.

Effectiveness: Phase 2 data found that injectable VK2735 helped people lose up to nearly 15% of their initial body weight after 13 weeks (3 months) of use.

Latest news on VK2735

April 1, 2024

Viking Therapeutics, the manufacturer of VK2735, recently announced preliminary data for the oral formulation of this medication. In a phase 1 study, VK2735 tablets helped people lose about 5% of their initial body weight after 1 month of use. Oral VK2735's phase 2 trial is set to start during the second half of 2024.

15. MariTide

What it is: MariTide is short for maridebart cafraglutide. It's an injectable medication that mimics GLP-1 but blocks GIP. This is a different approach from medications such as tirzepatide and VK2735. Some genetic research suggests that blocking GIP in the gut may lead to less fat storage. MariTide is being studied for chronic weight management.

How it's administered: MariTide is injected under the skin. A big part of what makes it unique is its frequency of administration, as it's only injected once a month.

Status: MariTide is currently enrolled in a phase 2 clinical trial. The primary portion of the study should be wrapped up by late 2024.

Effectiveness: In a phase 1 study, three doses of MariTide helped people lose up to nearly 15% of their initial body weight after 3 months of use. It may help people maintain their results over time, too. Results for many people persisted for 5 months after their last dose.

Latest news on MariTide

October 1, 2024

The CEO of Amgen, the company that's developing MariTide, noted at a conference that they plan to study MariTide for a variety of weight-related health conditions in phase 3 trials. This includes conditions related to the heart, liver, and kidneys.

Medications that are solely FDA approved for weight loss aren't typically covered by insurance. Obtaining these additional approvals could potentially pave the way for insurance coverage of MariTide in the future.

16. Bimagrumab

What it is: Bimagrumab is a biologic medication. It blocks activin receptors to help encourage weight loss and lean muscle growth. If approved, it'd be the first weight loss medication of its kind.

How it's administered: Bimagrumab is injectable medication that's infused into a vein once a month.

Status: Bimagrumab's current phase 2 study is set to run until June 2025. It's being studied by itself and in combination with Wegovy.

Effectiveness: A previous phase 2 study found that bimagrumab helped adults with Type 2 diabetes who were considered overweight lose about 20% of their total body fat mass over about 11 months (48 weeks). They also had more than a 3% increase in lean muscle mass. Together, these changes led to a 6% to 7% reduction in body weight.

Latest news on bimagrumab

July 14, 2023

Bimagrumab was initially developed by companies called MorphoSys and Novartis. It was sold to a different company, Versanis Bio, in 2021.

It's changing hands again. Versanis Bio was recently acquired by Eli Lilly. Eli Lilly makes medications such as Zepbound, Trulicity, Humalog (insulin lispro), and more.

What medications are already FDA approved for weight loss?

As of October 2024, 11 medications are FDA approved as weight-loss treatments. Some are only meant for short-term use, while others can be used for weight management over time.

*Only meant for short-term use

Are there medications that are used off-label for weight loss?

Yes, many medications are prescribed off-label for weight loss. In most cases, they're prescribed because they cause weight loss as a side effect. These are some top examples:

• Metformin

• Trulicity

• Ozempic

• Pramlintide (Symlin)

• Topiramate (Topamax)

• Bupropion (Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL)

• Zonisamide (Zonegran)

Note: You should never take medication for weight loss purposes without talking to your healthcare professional first. Many of these medications have risks and side effects to keep in mind.