Brenda Khan
The latest diet pill is a hot topic, with obesity and weight loss being a lucrative market for pharmaceutical companies. The injectable drugs Zepbound and Wegovy are currently dominating the market, but many people find injections off-putting. Pharma giants like Pfizer, Roche and Novo are racing to develop alternatives, with Novo's amycretin showing promising results in early trials. Eli Lilly is also developing a weight-loss pill called orforglipron, which has been successful in clinical trials. These pills could transform the healthcare system and the food industry by helping people manage their weight and avoid chronic conditions linked to obesity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the pill | Amycretin |
| Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk |
| Phase of clinical trial | Phase 1 |
| Dosage | 50 mg |
| Number of pills per day | 1 or 2 |
| Duration of the trial | 12 weeks |
| Number of participants | Not mentioned |
| Average weight loss | 10% with one pill per day, 13% with two pills per day |
| Placebo weight loss | 1.1% |
| Comparison with other drugs | More effective than Wegovy |
| Side effects | Not mentioned |
| Availability | Not available yet |
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What You'll Learn
The injectable anti-obesity drug market
Currently, the market leaders in injectable anti-obesity medications are Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, with their GLP-1 agonist drugs. Novo's semaglutide, sold under the brand name Wegovy, is a popular injectable option, although it also has a tablet form called Rybelsus. Ozempic, which is the same medication as Wegovy, is approved to treat type 2 diabetes. Tirzepatide, another injectable option, was previously approved to treat type 2 diabetes under the name Mounjaro and is now approved for weight management under the brand name Zepbound.
Other pharmaceutical companies are also developing injectable anti-obesity drugs. For example, Pfizer is working on two GLP-1 inhibitors, and Amgen is trialing a drug that is both a GLP-1 receptor agonist and a GIP receptor antagonist. Additionally, Novo Nordisk is testing a subcutaneous form of its experimental weight-loss pill, amycretin, which would be delivered by injection.
While injectables have been a preferred method of administration for some, there is a growing demand for oral anti-obesity medications. The success of injectable anti-obesity drugs has been attributed to their less frequent dosing compared to daily oral medications. However, the development of effective weight loss pills could challenge the dominance of injectables in the market.
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The potential for weight loss pills
The development of weight loss pills, such as Novo Nordisk's amycretin and Eli Lilly's orforglipron, has shown promising results in early trials. These pills have the potential to be as effective as, or even surpass existing injectable treatments in terms of weight loss. For example, participants in a Phase 1 clinical trial of amycretin lost up to 13% of their body weight over 12 weeks, which is a significant amount.
Weight loss pills offer a more convenient and accessible option for those who are hesitant or unable to administer injections. They can also reach a wider audience, particularly in regions where injectable drugs are less accessible due to refrigeration requirements. This increased accessibility could have a significant impact on managing weight-related health issues, such as heart, liver, and kidney diseases, and reducing the burden on healthcare systems.
However, it is important to note that weight loss pills may come with their own set of challenges. Oral medications often have specific dietary restrictions, such as needing to be taken on an empty stomach, which may be unappealing to some individuals. Additionally, pills typically require daily administration, whereas injections are often less frequent. Furthermore, finding a formulation that is well-tolerated by patients can be difficult, and the less direct delivery method of pills may require a higher amount of the active ingredient.
Despite these potential drawbacks, the development of weight loss pills holds great promise in the fight against obesity. With further research and clinical trials, these pills could provide a safe, effective, and convenient option for individuals seeking weight loss solutions, empowering them to take control of their health and well-being.
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Orforglipron, Eli Lilly's new weight loss pill
Eli Lilly's new weight loss pill, Orforglipron, is an oral medication designed to help lower blood sugar and support weight loss. It belongs to a class of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. The drug is currently in the Phase 3 trial stage, with the first trial demonstrating statistically significant efficacy results and a safety profile. The results showed that participants taking the highest dose of Orforglipron lost an average of 16.0 lbs (7.9%) of their body weight.
Orforglipron is an investigational, once-daily small molecule (non-peptide) oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It can be taken at any time during the day without restrictions on food and water intake. The Phase 3 trial results were announced in April 2025 and presented at the American Diabetes Association annual meeting. The results were also published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June 2025.
The overall safety and tolerability profile of Orforglipron in the ACHIEVE-1 trial was consistent with injectable GLP-1 therapies. The most frequently reported adverse events were gastrointestinal-related. The drug successfully lowered A1C levels by an average of 1.3% to 1.6% from a baseline of 8.0%. In addition, more than 65% of participants taking the highest dose achieved an A1C level of less than or equal to 6.5%, which is below the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) defined threshold for diabetes.
Orforglipron is being studied in the ATTAIN clinical trial program as a weight loss medication specifically for people with obesity or who are overweight. Results from these trials are expected in late 2025 to early 2026. Eli Lilly plans to submit Orforglipron for regulatory review for weight management in 2025 and for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in 2026.
While Orforglipron shows promising results as a weight loss pill, it is important to note that it is still in the clinical trial stage and is not yet available to the public. Once the trials are completed and the drug is approved, information about its availability will be shared by Eli Lilly.
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Novo's amycretin pill
The latest diet pill is Zepbound (tirzepatide), which has been approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition. It is administered via injection once a week, with a maximum dosage of 15mg. However, it is not a pill.
Novos amycretin pill
Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company based in Copenhagen, Denmark, is developing a weight loss pill called amycretin. Early clinical trials have shown promising results, with participants losing up to 13% of their body weight over 12 weeks. The pill targets two gut hormones, GLP-1 and amylin, which affect appetite and blood sugar levels.
In the early-stage trial, participants took one or two 50mg amycretin pills per day or a placebo. Those taking two pills per day lost up to 13% of their body weight, while those taking one pill per day lost more than 10%. The side effects were reported as mild to moderate, primarily consisting of gastrointestinal issues.
Novo plans to advance the development of amycretin in its oral and injectable forms simultaneously, with the hope of launching the pill version within this decade. The company is also testing a subcutaneous form of amycretin, which would be delivered by injection.
Amycretin is expected to be competitive with injectable medicines, offering a more appealing option for those who are against injections. However, high doses of amycretin may require a large amount of active ingredients, which could be challenging and costly to produce.
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Side effects of weight loss pills
The latest weight loss drugs on the market are Novo Nordisk's amycretin and Lilly's tirzepatide, both of which are available in pill form. Other weight loss pills currently on the market include semaglutide, phentermine, naltrexone-bupropion, and orlistat.
Weight loss pills can have a variety of side effects, including:
- Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn.
- Gallbladder disease, an increased risk of fracture, and possible pancreatitis.
- Headache, overstimulation, high blood pressure, insomnia, rapid or irregular heart rate, and tremors.
- Oily discharge from the rectum, flatulence with discharge, increased defecation, and fecal incontinence.
- Constipation, upset stomach, bloating, and diarrhea.
- More serious side effects can include stomach problems, kidney problems or failure, gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, or hypoglycemia.
- One of the drugs' manufacturers warns that tirzepatide may cause thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer, so patients should be monitored for symptoms such as swelling in the neck, hoarseness, and trouble swallowing.
It is important to note that the side effects of weight loss pills can vary depending on the specific medication and the individual taking it. It is always a good idea to consult a doctor or healthcare provider before starting any new medication, including weight loss pills, to understand the potential risks and side effects.
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Frequently asked questions
The latest weight loss pill is called Orforglipron, developed by Eli Lilly. It is a daily pill version of a GLP-1 agonist, the medication usually injected for weight-loss such as Wegovy and off-label Ozempic.
Orforglipron is a convenient once-daily pill that has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels and aid weight loss. It is a pill form of a medication usually injected, making it more accessible to people who are against injections.
The side effects of Orforglipron are similar to those of other injectable medications, including diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. It is important to note that the effects of Orforglipron on cardiovascular outcomes are not yet known and will be studied in future trials.
