A recent study published by New Scientist discusses the potential of an experimental oral weight loss pill called amycretin, which has shown promising results in causing significant weight loss in individuals with obesity. The study found that participants who took amycretin lost 13 percent of their body weight over a three-month period, more than twice the amount seen with existing injectable treatments such as Ozempic and Wegovy.
The pill works by mimicking gut hormones GLP-1 and amylin, which help regulate appetite, promote feelings of fullness, and boost insulin release. This mechanism of action is similar to other weight loss drugs like semaglutide, which have been used for treating type 2 diabetes.
While the initial results of the study are promising, experts caution that larger and longer studies are needed to fully evaluate the effectiveness and safety of amycretin compared to other weight loss medications. It is also important to consider the long-term implications of these drugs and how they compare in head-to-head trials.
One advantage of amycretin is that it is available in tablet form, making it a more convenient option for individuals who may prefer oral medication over injections. The potential for an oral weight loss pill to be more potent than existing treatments is an exciting development in the field of obesity management.
In addition to amycretin, other weight loss drugs that mimic different gut hormones are also in development, highlighting the ongoing efforts to address the global issue of obesity. It will be interesting to see how these new medications compare and contribute to the growing arsenal of treatments for obesity in the future.