Retatrutide in obesity with type 2 diabetes: 80-week phase 3 results (TRIUMPH-2)
What was studied
Whether once-weekly retatrutide, which acts on the GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, reduces weight in adults with type 2 diabetes. Participants at 92 centres in eight countries received 4 mg, 9 mg or 12 mg, or placebo, alongside their existing diabetes tablets.
What was found
Average weight change at 80 weeks was −11.9% (4 mg), −16.8% (9 mg) and −18.8% (12 mg), against −5.1% on placebo, and blood sugar control improved. Diarrhoea affected about a third of people on the two higher doses (13% on placebo) and nausea up to 28% (8%); low blood pressure and altered skin sensation (dysesthesia) were also more frequent. 12% stopped the 9 mg dose because of adverse events or death, against 5% on placebo.
What it doesn’t tell us
People with diabetes usually lose less weight on these drugs than people without it, so the figures shouldn’t be set directly against other trials. The trial was funded by the manufacturer, which also employed several authors. Retatrutide is not approved anywhere, and 80 weeks says nothing about long-term heart or safety outcomes.