Needles No More: The Rise of Oral GLP-1 Drugs

Many people hesitate to start their weight-loss journey with GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic due to their dislike of needles.

Now, there’s promising news for these cases: oral versions of these drugs are on the horizon. Currently, GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide are administered via weekly injections. However, new experimental pills are in the final stages of clinical trials and could soon replace the need for needles.

The Promise and Potential Pitfalls of Oral GLP-1 Medications

Dr. Jody Dushay from Harvard Medical School believes these pills could significantly impact weight management by increasing convenience, reducing costs, and easing shortages. However, she also warns about the risk of misuse. Daily pills might make it easier for people to take more than the recommended dose or share the medication inappropriately.

Novo Nordisk’s oral semaglutide, similar to its injectable counterpart Wegovy, has shown promising results in trials, leading to an average weight loss of 15% over 68 weeks. However, it comes with challenges, such as needing to be taken on an empty stomach and potential side effects like nausea and abdominal pain.

The Future of Weight-Loss Medication: A New Era

Eli Lilly‘s orforglipron is another oral GLP-1 drug showing promise, with mid-stage trials indicating an average weight loss of 15% over 36 weeks. Other pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Roche, are also developing similar medications.

Recently, Roche announced encouraging early results for its oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, further expanding the competitive landscape. Its receptor agonist CT-996 showed good results at phase 1, with a 6% reduction in weight at four weeks compared with placebo.

Terns Pharmaceuticals is another key player, revealing positive outcomes for their oral GLP-1 treatment. Their latest data highlights significant weight reduction (5%) and a favorable safety profile, positioning them as strong contenders in this emerging market.

These advancements could provide long-term maintenance options for people who have already lost significant weight using injectable medications.

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