What it means
The idea behind a triple agonist is to combine three effects: less appetite and better blood sugar from GLP-1, possibly better tolerance and insulin response from GIP, and higher energy use and liver fat burning from glucagon.
Retatrutide, from Eli Lilly, is the most advanced triple agonist. Its phase 2 and phase 3 trial reports have shown some of the largest average weight losses seen with a medicine, though it was not FDA-approved at our last review.
More targets do not automatically mean a better drug. Each receptor can add side effects, and the balance between them is set by the molecule's design and the dose. Trials also look at heart rate, muscle loss and how many people stop because of side effects.
Several other companies are developing triple agonists at earlier stages.
Why it matters
Triple agonists are the reason headlines now discuss weight losses above 20%, but the evidence is still from trials, not routine care.
Related terms
Sources
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