Experimental weight loss drug yields big results, but not yet FDA approved

So this is over the course of the study about a year. But this is equivalent to about 60 pounds and a 250-pound person. In people who did have diabetes in another study, they found about a 20% weight loss.

GAYLE KING:

00:00:53

So Retatrutide, they said is a GGG drug. What does that mean?

CELINE GROUNDER:

00:00:58

So the first generation, like drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, they had one mechanism of action. The next one, which is like Mounjaro and Zepbound had two mechanisms of action. Retatrutide tide has three mechanisms, so reducing the rate at which you digest food, so suppressing your appetite, controlling your blood sugar, as well as helping you burn energy.

GAYLE KING:

00:01:17

It's so great. Why is it not FDA approved yet? Well, they haven't submitted the data to the FDA. So you have to do--

GAYLE KING:

00:01:24

So they're just telling us about it. OK. Everybody's a little excited about this. I'd say maybe a little too excited. Some of what got us into trouble with the obesity situation to begin with is this idea of more is better. Supersize it. Supersize it can also go wrong here, because what we have seen in studies is the more weight loss, the more side effects. And people roll off these medications. In some studies, we've seen some 40% or so rolling off within a year, partly because of side effects and partly because of the cost. And the side effects are-- and the cost is. Right, so in terms of the side effects with Retatrutide, we're seeing some new side effects we hadn't seen before. So of course, nausea, we've seen all along with these. There's also this side effect of having these weird tingling, burning skin sensations. And then also, low blood pressure in 1 in 10 or so patients who are on these, even people who are not on blood pressure meds to start with. Yeah, the drugs-- the other drugs are pricey. Do we have a price on this yet? We do not. We do not. So Zepbound was about $500 a month out of pocket.