A new pill called orforglipron might help adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes lose weight and improve their blood sugar levels.
This news comes from a large international study called the ATTAIN-2 trial, led by researchers at UTHealth Houston and published in The Lancet.
Obesity is a serious long-term health problem. It can lead to diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and even some types of cancer.
Right now, many people take GLP-1 medicines for obesity, but they usually have to inject them daily or weekly. These shots can be uncomfortable, require special storage like refrigeration, and may cause skin reactions.
The good news is that this new treatment comes in pill form. Orforglipron is taken once a day and doesn’t need to be stored in the fridge. It’s much easier for people who don’t like needles or who struggle to keep injectable medicine cold.
Orforglipron works by helping the body release insulin and lower another hormone called glucagon. This helps reduce blood sugar and control hunger. In earlier studies, the pill helped people without diabetes lose about 12% of their body weight and improved other health markers over 72 weeks.
The new ATTAIN-2 study looked at how the pill works for people with both obesity and type 2 diabetes. More than 1,600 adults took part in the 72-week trial. They were from 136 medical sites in 10 countries.
Participants started on a low dose of 1 mg and increased to 6 mg, 12 mg, or 36 mg. Others got a placebo instead of the real pill. Everyone was encouraged to follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Instead of telling people to eat 500 fewer calories per day, which is common in obesity studies, the researchers promoted better habits. These included eating smaller portions, not skipping meals, eating more protein and fiber, and avoiding too much fat, sugar, or salt. They also asked participants to aim for 150 minutes of physical activity each week.
The results were impressive. After 72 weeks, people taking 6 mg of the pill lost 5.5% of their weight. Those taking 12 mg lost 7.8%, and those on 36 mg lost 10.5%. The placebo group only lost 2.2%. The pill also improved blood sugar control. Most side effects were mild stomach problems, similar to those seen with injected GLP-1 drugs.
Dr. Deborah Horn, one of the study’s leaders, said it’s exciting to have a pill that can help people with diabetes lose a lot of weight—on average, about 23 pounds. The medication is expected to be available in 2026, possibly at a lower cost than current injectable drugs. This could make it easier for people to access and afford the treatment.
Orforglipron could become a popular option for people with obesity and diabetes, offering a simple, effective, and needle-free way to improve health.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about bananas and diabetes, and honey could help control blood sugar.
For more health information, please see recent studies about Vitamin D that may reduce dangerous complications in diabetes and results showing plant-based protein foods may help reverse type 2 diabetes.
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