Amycretin by Novo Nordisk

Amycretin is a weight loss pill that’s being tested in clinical trials. It targets specific hormones in the body that control hunger, fat storage, and how the body uses energy. Researchers believe that by targeting these hormones, Amycretin will help patients lose weight more quickly than other medications that are already available.

One of the things that makes Amycretin different is it works on additional receptors to help reduce appetite. This two-pronged approach could make it more powerful than other weight loss medications, but we’ll have to wait for more research to examine its effectiveness and safety.

Amycretin works by targeting different pathways in the body that control hunger and metabolism:

• Suppressing appetite. One of the ways Amycretin helps with weight loss is by reducing appetite. It does this by influencing two of the key receptors for hormones that control hunger, GLP-1 and amylin. By affecting these hunger signals, Amycretin may be especially effective at helping patients eat less without feeling hungry. 
• Enhancing metabolism. Amycretin doesn’t just stop at reducing hunger. It also has an effect on metabolism, which means the body will burn more calories, even while you’re at rest. 
• Breaking down fat. Another important part of how Amycretin works is that it helps the body break down fat more efficiently. By promoting fat oxidation, it could help lose fat faster than with diet and exercise alone.

This combination of appetite suppression, enhanced metabolism, and fat breakdown could make Amycretin a game-changer for patients with obesity who are struggling to lose weight.

Although Amycretin is still going through trials, early results are promising:

Amycretin clinical trial outcomes

In Novo Nordisk’s phase 1 trial, participants taking Amycretin lost an average of 13% of body weight in 12 weeks. That’s a significant amount of weight loss, even compared to the other weight loss pills and injections on the market.

Amycretin compared to other weight loss pills and injections

Amycretin might be more effective than popular weight loss pills like Orlistat, which works by preventing the body from absorbing fat. Because Amycretin works in multiple ways (reducing hunger and increasing calorie burn), it appears to offer much more dramatic results.

Amycretin long-term results

We are awaiting the results of the phase 2 trial to see the long term results that can be achieved by taking Amycretin. These results will be released late in 2025 at the earliest.  

As with any medication, individual results will vary based on factors like diet, exercise and metabolism. The regime used in the phase 1 trial reduced side effects by slowly increasing the dose over time.

Like all medications, Amycretin has potential side effects. Most of these are mild to moderate and reduce as the body adjusts to the medication. Side effects can be minimised by starting at a low dose and slowly increasing it to the maintenance dose over time, as is common with other similar medications. 

Amycretin common side effects

It is common for patients to experience stomach upset and a loss of appetite with Amycretin. These side effects are similar to those seen with other GLP-1s and weight loss pills, where they usually improve over time.

Amycretin less common side effects

In the first trial only one person had a serious side effect, inflammation of the gallbladder; for which the patient was successfully treated. Further studies are required to fully investigate the safety in a larger group of patients. 

Amycretin long-term safety

Because Amycretin is still being studied, we don’t yet know about any long-term risks. Researchers will continue monitoring for any serious side effects as more people use the drug in clinical trials.

 

Amycretin is still being tested in clinical trials, so it’s not available to the public just yet. Right now, it’s in Phase 2 trials, which means researchers are testing it on more people to ensure it’s safe and effective. Please note that none of these dates are confirmed by the manufacturer or the necessary licensing and regulatory bodies.

Amycretin approval timeline.

If phase 2 trials are successful, Amycretin will undergo phase 3 trials and then be submitted for approval by health regulators, like the FDA or MHRA, before it becomes available. The total timeline for drugs from phase 2 trials to being available for patients is around 6 years. 

Prescription only 

Once it’s approved, Amycretin will likely be a prescription-only drug, meaning patients will need to see a GP or a specialist to get it. Its availability will depend on guidance from MHRA and NICE. Similar medication has received approval for treatment of obesity in patients with a BMI over 30 or 27 if they have weight-related conditions.

Amycretin could be a good option for patients with obesity who have struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. It may be especially helpful for:

People with obesity

If a patient has a BMI over 30 and hasn’t had success with other weight loss methods, Amycretin could offer a new approach to help them lose weight.

People with weight-related health issues

Patients with conditions like type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure might benefit from Amycretin’s expected ability to improve overall health, through weight loss and increased insulin sensitivity, as this has been found in other similar medications.

People who have tried other weight loss pills

If a patient has tried weight loss pills like Orlistat or Rybelsus without seeing much success, Amycretin’s powerful appetite suppression and metabolism enhancement could be a better fit.

So how does Amycretin stack up against other popular weight loss pills? Here’s a quick comparison:

• Amycretin vs Orlistat. Orlistat works by blocking your body from absorbing fat, which can lead to some unpleasant digestive side effects. Amycretin, on the other hand, works by reducing hunger and increasing metabolism, which might offer more significant weight loss without the same digestive issues.
• Amycretin vs Saxenda. Saxenda is a weight loss injection that targets hunger hormones. Amycretin offers a more convenient option as a pill, and early research suggests it might help people lose more weight than Saxenda.

This article is for healthcare professionals only. It should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Medic Spot Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In the event of an emergency, please call 999 for immediate assistance.

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