Dated September 26, 2024
Annabelle
Photo: artemstepanov/stock.adobe.com
Active ingredients such as tirzepatide, semaglutide and liraglutide are celebrated as effective weight loss aids and are often used off-label for rapid weight loss. It is usually administered by injection. Novo Nordisk may now want to bring an alternative to Ozempic and Co. onto the market – a “weight loss pill” with the active ingredient amycretin.
As the manufacturer announced at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, intensive research is currently being carried out into an oral alternative to the hyped “fat-away injections”. The results of a phase I human study on a supposed new “weight loss pill” are now available. It contains the active ingredient amycretin, a combination of a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and an amylin receptor agonist. According to the authors, this could lead to a weight loss of 13 percent when taken daily over a period of three months.
Active ingredient check
Amylin is a peptide hormone produced in the pancreas that, like GLP-1, is involved in appetite regulation. Exactly the feeling of satiety is increased and gastric emptying is delayed. In addition, the peptide hormone, together with insulin, is said to help stabilize blood sugar levels. The exact mechanism of action has not been conclusively clarified. However, glucagon release is presumably inhibited by amylin and thus glucose release from the liver is suppressed.
GLP-1 is produced in the intestine and is a peptide hormone from the group of incretins that is involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism. The hormone precisely stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion in the pancreas. In addition, there is a reduction in appetite and a delay in gastric emptying.
By the way: In the USA, pramlintide, an amylin analogue, is approved for the treatment of diabetes.
Weight loss pill: Amycretin ensures 13 percent weight loss
The effect of taking 50 mg of amycretin once a day or 50 mg twice a day on weight was examined. The adult participants, all of whom had a body mass index (BMI) between 25.0 and 39.9 kg/m2 but did not have diabetes, received either the weight loss pill or a placebo.
The result: Taking amycretin unsurprisingly resulted in more effective weight loss. Exactly, body weight was reduced by around 10 percent with a once daily dose, while it was 13 percent with 50 mg twice a day. Up to 80 percent of participants also experienced a reduction in appetite.
The authors pointed out that further weight loss is possible over a longer period of use. What’s more: the weight loss pill achieved good results in terms of safety and tolerability. Side effects were usually mild to moderate and were usually limited to gastrointestinal complaints – similar to semaglutide and the like.
Amycretin is currently being examined as a new weight loss pill in further studies in order to be able to assess its safety and effectiveness more precisely.
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Annabelle
Annabell Wagner has been part of the editorial team of PTA IN LOVE since 2019. She is familiar with health topics because she has been providing readers with exciting news from the world of pharmaceuticals, medicine and health policy since 2016. Annabell is a pharmacy fan and appreciates the friendly, personable and competent advice from her colleagues on site.
