A recent study revealed that a new weight loss medication, orforglipron, is particularly effective for individuals with Type 2 diabetes. In a trial involving 1,500 participants, orforglipron, an appetite suppressant pill, led to significant weight loss and improved blood sugar control compared to semaglutide, the only existing weight loss pill in the market.
Developed by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, the same company behind the weight loss injection Mounjaro, orforglipron has shown promising results. Users experienced an average weight loss of 11% over a 17-month period in previous trials. The most recent study, published in the Lancet, demonstrated that individuals on orforglipron lost between 6% to 8% of their body weight in a year, while those on semaglutide lost 4% to 5%.
Weight loss injections have been praised for their effectiveness in addressing obesity, especially in severely obese individuals. However, there are global shortages, leading to limited availability, with the NHS prioritizing those at high risk due to excessive weight. It is estimated that approximately 2.2 million Britons are receiving weight loss injections through private prescriptions.
Experts believe that making oral appetite-suppressing medications accessible through the NHS is crucial for reaching a broader population. Orforglipron’s trial spanned across multiple countries, including Argentina, China, Japan, Mexico, and the US, involving patients from various medical research centers and hospitals.
Professor Naveed Sattar, an obesity expert from Glasgow University, emphasized the significance of these findings in aiding individuals with type 2 diabetes in weight management. Orforglipron offers the advantage of not requiring an empty stomach for intake, unlike semaglutide, which must be taken under specific conditions.
Despite its benefits, orforglipron did exhibit more side effects, such as nausea and stomach cramps, leading some patients to discontinue usage. Lead researcher Julio Rosenstock, in collaboration with Eli Lilly, highlighted the potential of orforglipron as a new treatment option for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Douglas Twenefour, clinical lead at Diabetes UK, stressed the importance of having a variety of safe and effective treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes management. He welcomed the latest findings and emphasized the need for accessible oral options like orforglipron to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and combat obesity-related health issues.
