The Study
Effects of once-weekly subcutaneous retatrutide on weight and metabolic markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
This study looked at three small experiments where people were randomly given either the new medicine or a sugar pill. It found that those who got the medicine lost more weight — but because there were only three small studies, we can't be 100% sure it will work the same for everyone. So we say it's 'linked to' weight loss, not that it 'causes' it for sure.
Analysis score
Maximum 100 for a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Where the score came from
This study looked at a new medicine called retatrutide that you inject once a week. It helped people with extra weight or diabetes lose a lot of weight, lower their blood sugar, and reduce blood pressure.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 569 / 100
Quality score
The highest quality evidence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pool randomized controlled trials, giving the most reliable summary of experimental evidence.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Losing 10–15% of body weight is considered transformative for health — this medicine helped many people reach that goal, which can prevent heart disease and diabetes complications.
- 2People lost 10.66 kg (about 23.5 lbs), had 18.4 times higher chance of losing 15% or more of their body weight, lowered blood sugar by 0.90% (HbA1c), and saw lower blood pressure.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Metabolism Open
Year
2024
Authors
E. Pasqualotto, R. Ferreira, M. Chavez, Alexandre Hohl, M. Ronsoni, Tales Pasqualotto, F. A. Moraes, L. Hespanhol, Janine Midori Figueiredo Watanabe, Carine Lütkemeyer, Simone van de Sande-Lee
Related Content
Claims (6)
When people take medicine to lose weight, their body inflammation goes down and their metabolism gets better, which helps lower their chance of heart problems.
Taking a weekly injection called retatrutide might help people who are overweight or have type 2 diabetes lose around 10-11 pounds, shrink their waistline, and lower their BMI — which could mean real, helpful weight loss.
People who get a weekly shot of a new medicine called retatrutide are about 18 times more likely to lose at least 15% of their body weight than those who get a placebo, which could mean a lot of them reach a weight loss level that really improves their health.
Taking a weekly shot of retatrutide might make you feel more nauseous, throw up, get constipated, or have allergic reactions than if you took a fake shot — but these side effects aren’t life-threatening and are kind of expected.
A once-a-week shot called retatrutide may help lower blood sugar levels in people who are overweight, obese, or have type 2 diabetes—even if they don’t lose weight.
Taking a weekly shot of a drug called retatrutide might help lower blood pressure in people who are overweight, obese, or have type 2 diabetes — and this benefit might happen even if they don’t lose much weight.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.