Tracking retatrutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide, BPC-157, GHK-Cu and the rest of the peptide market — drug approvals, pricing, research and the companies behind them.
Weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro have become increasingly popular, but reports of side-effects such as digestive problems, eye conditions, and hair loss have raised concerns. While some of these side-effects have been studied, others remain unproven, leaving many to wonder what's fact and what's fiction.
A new Medicare pilot program offers discounted GLP-1 medications for weight loss, but millions of patients are excluded due to pre-existing medical conditions, leaving them with unaffordable treatment options.
Novo Nordisk has sued Eli Lilly, alleging the company's ad campaign for its obesity and diabetes drugs is 'deceptive' and uses 'outdated clinical trials' to make them appear more effective. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New Jersey, claims Lilly is comparing high doses of its drugs to lower doses of Novo's similar medications.
For some people, the highly touted GLP-1 weight-loss medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, don't deliver the promised results. Researchers are working to understand why, as patients face disappointment, shame, and significant financial burdens.
Eli Lilly's new obesity drug, retatrutide, has been shown to be highly effective in weight loss, with participants losing 22.6% of their weight after 80 weeks. However, the drug's impact on cardiovascular risk remains unclear due to a lack of statistically significant results in a recent Phase 3 study.
GLP-1 drugs, once primarily marketed as obesity treatments, are now being promoted as lifestyle enhancers, with companies like Novo Nordisk rebranding their products to appeal to a broader consumer base, using slogans like 'Live lighter' and 'Summer Glow Up'
Research on GLP-1 medications has yielded promising results in treating obesity and improving fertility in men with low testosterone. A study found that GLP-1s may improve testosterone levels and sperm quality, while another study showed a 310-fold increase in GLP-1 prescriptions for children with obesity.
Retatrutide, a promising weight-loss drug not yet approved by the FDA, is being sought after by people dissatisfied with current medications, with some turning to the gray market to purchase it, despite warnings from doctors about the risks to their health.
A new study finds that people taking semaglutide for diabetes have a lower rate of bone fractures compared to those taking other anti-obesity medications. Researchers analyzed data from over 159,000 patients and found that semaglutide treatment was associated with a greater reduction in body mass index and fewer fractures.