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Effects of once-weekly subcutaneous retatrutide on weight and metabolic markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Metabol Open · 2024
Last updated 2026-05-28A review of three studies involving 640 patients found that once-weekly retatrutide injections led to significant weight loss compared to placebo, with an average reduction of 10.66 kg. The treatment also increased the likelihood of achieving major weight loss milestones, such as losing at least 5% or 10% of body weight, by nearly 3 times and over 9 times, respectively.
AI summary of the abstract below.
| Journal | Metabol Open, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Citations | 7 |
| Relative citation ratio | 1.04 |
| NIH percentile | 52 |
| Molecules | retatrutide |
| Conditions studied | Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes |
Abstract
AIM: To assess the effects of once-weekly subcutaneous retatrutide on weight and metabolic markers and the occurrence of side effects in patients with overweight, obesity and/or type 2 diabetes (T2D).
METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were systematically searched for placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published up until February 23, 2024. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) for continuous outcomes and risk ratios (RRs) for binary endpoints were computed, with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS: A total of three studies were included, comprising 640 patients, of whom 510 were prescribed retatrutide. Compared with placebo, retatrutide significantly reduced body weight (WMD -10.66 kg; 95 % CI -17.63, -3.69), body mass index (WMD -4.53 kg/m; 95 % CI -7.51, -1.55), and waist circumference (WMD -6.61 cm; 95 % CI -13.17, -0.05). In addition, retatrutide significantly increased the proportion of patients who achieved a weight reduction of ≥5 % (RR 2.92; 95 % CI 2.17-3.93), ≥10 % (RR 9.32; 95 % CI 4.56-19.06), ≥15 % (RR 18.40; 95 % CI 6.00-56.42), and ≥20 % (RR 16.61; 95 % CI 4.17-66.12).
CONCLUSIONS: In this meta-analysis, the use of once-weekly subcutaneous retatrutide was associated with a significant reduction in body weight and improvement of metabolic markers in patients with overweight, obesity and/or T2D, compared with placebo, with an increase in non-severe gastrointestinal and hypersensitivity adverse events. Phase 3 RCTs are expected to shed further light on the efficacy and safety of once-weekly subcutaneous retatrutide over the long term.
Verbatim abstract via PubMed 39318607 ↗
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