A groundbreaking new weight-loss medication, amycretin, is showing remarkable promise in early studies, offering hope to millions struggling with obesity. Developed by Novo Nordisk, amycretin can be administered either as a weekly injection or a daily tablet, and initial trials reveal substantial weight loss among participants.
In a clinical trial involving 125 adults, those receiving the highest weekly injection dose of 60mg lost an impressive 24.3 percent of their body weight after 36 weeks. This level of weight loss surpasses that of current leading medications like Wegovy (semaglutide), which typically induces about 20 percent weight loss over a similar period. The injection also showed signs of improving blood sugar levels, a critical benefit for patients with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
Meanwhile, a second trial tested amycretin in tablet form on 144 individuals over 12 weeks. Those taking the highest daily dose of 100mg lost an average of 13.1 percent of their body weight. While this is less than the injection trial’s results, it is still a significant reduction in a relatively short time span. The tablet form could represent a game-changer in weight management, as it may ease the burden on overstretched healthcare services by providing an easier-to-administer alternative to injections.
Weight-loss injections have already been hailed as transformative by NHS leaders, with around 1.5 million Britons currently using such treatments, either through specialist weight-loss services or private prescriptions. From the week of June 23, 2025, general practitioners in the UK will be able to prescribe these injections, potentially expanding access further.
Amycretin works by targeting two receptors in the body: GLP-1 and the amylin receptor. These receptors play key roles in controlling blood sugar and appetite, helping patients feel fuller and reducing calorie intake. The drug’s dual action appears to enhance its effectiveness compared to medications that target only one receptor.
The trials, which were published in The Lancet and presented at the American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Sessions in Chicago, also reported some side effects. Participants experienced nausea and vomiting, which were mostly mild to moderate and typically resolved by the end of the treatment period. This safety profile is encouraging, but researchers emphasize that longer and larger studies are needed to fully understand amycretin’s safety and efficacy, especially for people living with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
In addition to amycretin, the same conference featured new data on higher doses of Wegovy (semaglutide). Researchers found that administering 7.2mg of Wegovy once a week led to an average weight loss of 20.7 percent over 72 weeks, with a third of participants losing 25 percent or more of their body weight. Sebnem Avsar Tuna, general manager of Novo Nordisk UK, commented, “This trial demonstrated that a higher dose of semaglutide — 7.2 mg — achieved greater weight loss than previously seen, with a comparable safety and tolerability profile to the 2.4 mg once-weekly dose of semaglutide.”
She further emphasized the importance of these developments, stating, “Obesity is a chronic disease and with these results semaglutide reaffirms its weight-loss potential for people living with obesity, alongside previous results showing the health benefits that go beyond weight loss. As leaders in obesity treatment, we are committed to developing treatments that fit the needs of people living with obesity.”
The potential of amycretin to offer a highly effective weight-loss option in both injection and tablet forms could revolutionize obesity treatment. The tablet form, in particular, might accelerate the rollout of weight-loss medication within the NHS by reducing the logistical challenges and workload associated with administering injections.
However, it’s important to note that these are early-stage trials. Before amycretin can become widely available in the UK, it must undergo several more clinical trials to confirm its safety and effectiveness. Regulatory approval is not guaranteed, and the process could take several years.
Still, the results so far are promising. Losing nearly a quarter of body weight in less than a year is a significant achievement, especially considering the global obesity crisis and its associated health risks, including diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Amycretin’s ability to improve metabolic parameters alongside weight loss could offer a dual benefit for patients.
As the medical community awaits further research, the excitement surrounding amycretin reflects a broader shift in obesity treatment. For decades, effective pharmacological options were limited, and many patients struggled to achieve lasting weight loss. Now, with drugs like amycretin and higher-dose semaglutide demonstrating substantial and sustained weight reductions, the landscape is changing.
Ultimately, these advances could improve quality of life for millions, reduce the burden on healthcare systems, and reshape how obesity is managed worldwide. For now, patients and clinicians alike watch eagerly as amycretin moves through the next stages of clinical evaluation, hopeful that this new medication will deliver on its early promise.
