In ongoing clinical trials of Eli Lilly’s next-generation obesity drug, some trial participants are experiencing an unexpected issue – they are losing an excessive amount of weight. This phenomenon has raised concerns among researchers and participants alike.
For instance, one participant managed to shed a remarkable 22% of her weight in just nine months, a rate much faster than what is typically observed with approved GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound. This rapid weight loss prompted researchers to lower her dosage of the experimental treatment, known as retatrutide. Despite the adjustment, she continued to experience severe nausea, leading her to take matters into her own hands by skipping every other dose.
Another participant, who lost an astounding 30% of his weight within eight months, encountered a kidney stone issue. While it is not definitively linked to the weight loss, recent observational research has associated GLP-1 drugs with a heightened risk of kidney stones.
Similarly, a third patient experienced a substantial 31% decrease in weight over a similar timeframe and found himself resorting to consuming calorie-dense foods like peanut butter to prevent further weight loss. He expressed his bewilderment at actively trying to avoid losing more weight while participating in an obesity trial.
Despite the challenges they face, these trial participants, all in their 40s and 50s, reported that the drug has had a transformative impact on their lives. Not only have they achieved significant weight loss for the first time, but many of their associated health conditions such as knee pain, high cholesterol, and fatty liver disease have also shown marked improvement.
Nevertheless, the participants are grappling with the extreme weight loss effects of the drug, a dilemma that highlights the complexities of addressing obesity through pharmacological interventions. As the trials progress, researchers will need to carefully monitor and adjust dosages to strike a balance between effective weight loss and ensuring the overall well-being of participants.
