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Weight Loss

The Latest Updates: 14 New Weight-Loss Drugs on the Horizon

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBSChristina Aungst, PharmD
Written by Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS | Reviewed by Christina Aungst, PharmD
Reviewed on January 7, 2026
Featuring Stacia Woodcock, PharmDReviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD | August 6, 2025

Key takeaways:

  • Researchers are studying several weight-loss pills in clinical trials. Medications such as orforglipron and amycretin have notable supporting data so far.

  • There are other promising new weight-loss drugs in the works too. Injectables such as retatrutide, CagriSema (cagrilintide and semaglutide), and MariTide (maridebart cafraglutide) are in more advanced clinical trials.

  • More than ten medications are already FDA approved for weight loss. Wegovy (semaglutide) pills and injections, Saxenda (liraglutide), and Zepbound (tirzepatide) are common examples.

Save on related medications

Featuring Stacia Woodcock, PharmDReviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD | August 6, 2025

There’s not a body out there that’s better than your own. It’s the vehicle that takes you through life. And no matter what size, shape, or height it is, there are countless reasons to be proud of it.

Still, some internal or external factors may be driving you to try to lower your body weight. Perhaps, it’s wanting to improve your body image. Or maybe it’s related to a health issue your prescriber warned you about. Regardless, there are steps you can take to help you meet your health goals.

When possible, a nutritious diet and routine exercise are ideal ways to lose body weight. But, if needed, medication is another way to help promote weight loss. While there are multiple weight-loss medications already on the market, there are also several new weight-loss drugs in clinical trials. Here are 14 prospects to keep in mind.

1. Orforglipron

What it is: Orforglipron is an oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It mimics the effects of GLP-1, a gut hormone that’s involved in blood glucose (blood sugar) balance, digestion, and appetite management. Unlike traditional GLP-1 receptor agonists, it’s made of chemicals — not peptides (amino acid chains). This helps it survive in your stomach better.

How it’s administered: Orforglipron is an oral capsule that’s taken once daily.

Status: Orforglipron is in advanced stages of development. It may be approved by March 2026.

Effectiveness: A Phase 3 study shows that adults living with Type 2 diabetes and who are also considered obese or overweight can lose a meaningful amount of weight while taking orforglipron. At the highest dose, people lost about 11% of their body weight on average over 72 weeks (nearly 17 months). This was compared to about 2% with placebo.

Other considerations: Because of its design, some experts predict that orforglipron will be easy to produce in bulk. Meanwhile, competitor GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Wegovy (semaglutide), are peptides that are relatively hard to make. In turn, this may translate to orforglipron being a more affordable weight-loss medication.

Latest news on orforglipron

December 1, 2025

GoodRx icon
  • Convenience and impact: Discover what to know about weight-loss pills that are already FDA approved for use.

  • Is there a link between gut health and obesity? Your gut microbiome plays a role in your overall health. Learn more about its potential connection to your body weight.

  • A holistic approach: Combining medication with lifestyle changes can enhance your weight-loss progress. Here, one person shares how a new diet and mindset helped keep him at his ideal weight.

The FDA recently added orforglipron to the second group of medications in its new Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program. This designation is designed to speed up the review process for certain promising treatments. Eli Lilly, orforglipron’s manufacturer, says it expects U.S. regulatory approval by March 2026.

2. APHD-012

What it is: APHD-012 is an oral medicine that imitates the metabolic effects of gastric bypass (weight loss) surgery. It’s a glucose pill that’s designed to stimulate certain parts of your small intestine.

How it’s administered: APHD-012 is a once-daily oral medication. Its manufacturer is calling it a distal jejunal-release dextrose bead.

Status: APHD-012 is now engaged in its second phase 2 study. It kicked off in September 2025.

Effectiveness: We don’t know exactly how effective APHD-012 will be for weight loss. Stay tuned for updates.

Latest news on APHD-012

October 1, 2024

APHD-012 is also being studied for prediabetes. A phase 2 study found that the medication helps improve glucose tolerance in adults with prediabetes. After taking the medication once daily for 6 weeks, people in the study were able to perform better on an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). An OGTT is a diagnostic tool that helps evaluate how well your body is able to process sugars. The medication was also well tolerated overall.

3. ARD-101

What it is: ARD-101 is an oral medication. It targets “bitter taste receptors” in your gut and activates appetite-suppressing hormones such as GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), and cholecystokinin.

How it’s administered: ARD-101 is an oral pill that’s taken twice daily.

Status: ARD‑101 has completed several phase 2 studies in adults considered obese, people who’ve had weight‑loss surgery, and people with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) — a genetic condition that causes a hard-to-satisfy appetite. A phase 3 study to test ARD‑101 for hard-to-treat hunger in PWS is now underway.

Effectiveness: Current data suggests that ARD-101 reduces hunger 2.5 times more than placebo among adults who are considered obese. This may lead to weight loss.

Latest news on ARD-101

March 1, 2025

Aardvark Therapeutics, the company developing ARD-101, became a publicly traded company in February 2025. It plans to use the money raised to continue studying ARD-101 and move it through the steps needed for potential FDA approval.

4. Oral amycretin

What it is: Amycretin is an oral medication that’s being developed for chronic weight management. It’s a dual GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist. Amylin is a hormone that helps you feel more full after meals.

How it's administered: Amycretin is a once-daily oral tablet. But an under-the-skin amycretin injection is being developed too.

Status: Amycretin is advancing into phase 3 studies. An executive at Novo Nordisk predicted that amycretin will likely be available sometime this decade (before 2030).

Effectiveness: In an early stage study, people taking amycretin lost an average of 13% of their initial body weight after 12 weeks (3 months) of use.

Latest news on amycretin

December 1, 2025

Novo Nordisk shared in June 2025 that it’s moving both the injectable and pill forms of amycretin into phase 3 clinical trials for chronic weight management. The decision came after early studies involving people who are considered obese showed significant and lasting weight loss.

In November 2025, the company announced plans to begin phase 3 studies next year to see how well the medication works for treating diabetes.

5. Monlunabant

What it is: Monlunabant is an oral medication in development for chronic weight management and other metabolic disorders. A  small molecule oral cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) inverse agonist, it’s thought to help lessen your appetite and support your metabolism.

How it’s administered: Monlunabant is an oral tablet taken once daily.

Status: Monulubant’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, released an initial set of phase 2 trial results in September 2024. At this time, the medication’s next steps are somewhat unclear.

Effectiveness: In a phase 2 study, people who took monlunabant lost an average of 15 lbs (7 kg) after 16 weeks (4 months) of use. By comparison, people taking placebo lost a little less than 1 kg (1 lb to 2 lbs).

Latest news on monlunabant

March 1, 2025

As with many other weight-loss medications, monulubant is linked to mild to moderate GI-related side effects. But it may also cause some brain-related side effects, especially at higher doses. Some people taking the medication in clinical trials have reported feelings of irritability, anxiety, and/or sleep troubles. Monlunabant’s side effect profile will continue to be evaluated in upcoming studies.

6. Aleniglipron

What it is: Aleniglipron (GSBR-1290) is another oral GLP-1 medication in development for chronic weight management and Type 2 diabetes. It works similarly to other products in its class.

How it’s administered: Aleniglipron is a once-daily pill.

Status: Aleniglipron’s manufacturer, Structure Therapeutics, released phase 2 study data in late 2025. They shared information from their ACCESS and ACCESS II trials.

Effectiveness: Compared to placebo, aleniglipron helped study participants lose an average of 11% to 15% of their initial body weight after 36 weeks (8 months) of use (depending on the dose).

Latest news on aleniglipron

There’s no other recent news for aleniglipron. Check back with GoodRx for updates.

7. Retatrutide

What it is: Retatrutide is a medication that’s being studied for weight loss and Type 2 diabetes in adults. Retatrutide works by attaching to three receptors (binding sites): GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), GLP-1, and glucagon.

How it’s administered: Retatrutide is an injectable medication that’s administered under the skin once weekly.

Status: A phase 3 weight loss study is currently in process. It’s set to finish by early 2026. If data is positive, a FDA approval request will likely follow.

Effectiveness: Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of retatrutide, estimates that the medication may help people lose up to an average of 29% of their initial body weight after about 68 weeks (15 months). It may be even more effective than Zepbound (tirzepatide) for weight loss. Other papers speak to its significant weight loss benefits, too.

Latest news on retatrutide

August 1, 2025

A recently published meta analysis concluded that retatrutide led to the most weight loss among GLP-1-based treatments, but it also caused the most side effects. Dual agonists, such as tirzepatide and survodutide (more details below), produced similar weight loss to retatrutide with fewer side effects. Traditional GLP-1 medications were effective, but resulted in less weight loss overall.

8. CagriSema

What it is: CagriSema is a combination treatment that combines two injectable medications (cagrilintide and semaglutide) into one. Cagrilintide mimics amylin, while semaglutide mimics GLP-1.

How it’s administered: CagriSema is an injectable medication that’s administered under the skin once weekly.

Status: A phase 3 weight loss study started in November 2022. It’s scheduled to run through October 2026.

Effectiveness: CagriSema demonstrated meaningful weight-loss effects in two recent phase 3 studies. After about 68 weeks (15 months), adults without diabetes lost about 20% of their body weight on average. Adults living with Type 2 diabetes saw about 14% weight loss along with improvements in blood sugar readings.

Latest news on CagriSema

July 1, 2025

Novo Nordisk’s phase 3 trials of CagriSema showed strong average weight loss, but the results came in slightly below the company’s earlier goal of about a 25% reduction in body weight. The announcement led to a temporary dip in the company’s stock value as investors adjusted their expectations.

Even so, CagriSema’s results remain notable. Analysts are watching closely to see how it will fit into an increasingly competitive landscape of weight-loss medications.

9. Ecnoglutide

What it is: Ecnoglutide (also called XW003) is another GLP-1 receptor agonist. It’s thought to be a longer-lasting alternative to Saxenda (liraglutide). Saxenda is a once daily, injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist that’s approved for weight loss.

How it’s administered: Ecnoglutide is an injectable medication that’s administered under the skin once weekly. An oral version is also in the works.

Status: Ecnoglutide has been studied in several Chinese phase 3 studies for weight loss and Type 2 diabetes in adults. A new study is now seeing how it stacks up to semaglutide for weight loss.

Effectiveness: In a 40-week (about 9 months) phase 3 study, people using ecnoglutide lost about 9% to 13% of their body weight on average, depending on the dose. Meanwhile, those taking a placebo saw little to no change.

Latest news on ecnoglutide

August 1, 2025

Sciwind Biosciences, the Chinese company developing ecnoglutide, recently stated that its negotiating with an unnamed American company to license the medication in the U.S. The company hopes the partnership will eventually lead to FDA approval and allow the use of existing clinical data from China and Australia to help speed up the approval process.

10. Mazdutide

What it is: Mazdutide (also called IBI362) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that also mimics glucagon. It’s being studied for weight loss and Type 2 diabetes in adults.

How it’s administered: Mazdutide is an injectable medication that’s administered under the skin once weekly.

Status: Mazdutide has completed several phase 3 studies in China. A new one kicked off in December 2025 and is set to run through 2028.

Effectiveness: In a phase 3 study comparing mazdutide with semaglutide, nearly half of people receiving mazdutide achieved better blood sugar management and lost at least 10% of their body weight within 32 weeks (7 months). With semaglutide, about one-fifth of participants reached those same goals. On average, people lost about 10% of their body weight with mazdutide and about 6% with semaglutide.

Latest news on mazdutide

July 1, 2025

In June 2025, Innovent Biologics announced that China’s regulatory agency approved mazdutide for chronic weight management in adults considered overweight or obese. The approval is based on results from a large phase 3 trial called GLORY-1.

11. Survodutide

What it is: Survodutide activates GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, similar to mazdutide.

How it’s administered: Survodutide is an injectable medication that’s administered under the skin once weekly.

Status: Survodutide completed its phase 2 clinical studies. Phase 3 studies are set to run through April 2026, and the corresponding data should be released during the first half of the year.

Effectiveness: Participants in a phase 2 study lost up to 19% of their initial body weight after using survodutide for about 46 weeks (10 months). Everyone in the study was considered overweight or obese.

Latest news on survodutide

April 12, 2024

Survodutide may be able to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a form of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). People who are considered overweight or obese have a higher risk for developing MASH.

In a recent 48-week phase 2 study, over 80% of people who received survodutide experienced significant improvements in their liver biopsy reports. By comparison, nearly 20% of people receiving a placebo saw similar results.

12. VK2735

What it is: VK2735 is a GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist medication, similar to tirzepatide.

How it's administered: VK2735 is injected under the skin once weekly. A tablet version of the medication is also in the works, but it’s in earlier stages of development.

Status: Injectable VK2735 has completed its phase 2 trial for weight loss. The study kicked off in September 2023, and it ended in the first portion of 2024. Its 78-week, phase 3 study is actively underway.

Effectiveness: Phase 2 data found that injectable VK2735 helped people lose up to nearly 15% of their initial body weight after 13 weeks (roughly 3 months) of use.

Latest news on VK2735

December 1, 2025

In a phase 2 dosage trial, an oral version of VK2735 helped adults considered obese lose up to about 12% of their body weight in 13 weeks (3 months). People taking a placebo lost only about 1% during the same time. The study met all its main goals, with every dose of VK2735 leading to significantly more weight loss than placebo.

13. MariTide

What it is: MariTide is short for maridebart cafraglutide. It’s an injectable medication that mimics GLP-1 but blocks GIP. This is a different approach from medications such as tirzepatide and VK2735. Some genetic research suggests that blocking GIP in the gut may lead to less fat storage. MariTide is being studied for chronic weight management.

How it's administered: MariTide is injected under the skin. A big part of what makes it unique is its frequency of administration, as it’s only injected once a month.

Status: MariTide is currently enrolled in a phase 2 clinical trial. The study should be wrapped up by early 2026.

Effectiveness: In a phase 2 study, MariTide helped people considered obese lose up to about 20% of their body weight over a year. People living with obesity and Type 2 diabetes saw up to about 17% weight loss; they also saw better blood sugar levels and improvements in metrics such as waist size, blood pressure, and inflammation. Because weight loss was still ongoing at 52 weeks, researchers believe people may lose even more weight with longer treatment.

Latest news on MariTide

October 1, 2024

The CEO of Amgen, the company that’s developing MariTide, noted at a conference that they plan to study MariTide for a variety of weight-related health conditions in phase 3 trials. This includes conditions related to the heart, liver, and kidneys.

Medications that are solely FDA approved for weight loss aren’t typically covered by insurance. Obtaining these additional approvals could potentially pave the way for insurance coverage of MariTide in the future.

14. Eloralintide

What it is: Eloralintide (LY3841136) is a selective amylin receptor agonist in development for weight loss.

How it’s administered: Eloralintide is given as a once‑weekly injection under the skin.

Status: Eloralintide recently completed a phase 2 clinical trial in adults with larger body sizes. Eli Lilly, its manufacturer, plans to begin phase 3 studies by late 2025 to further evaluate its safety and effectiveness for long‑term weight management and related health conditions.

Effectiveness: In a phase 2 study, people receiving weekly eloralintide lost an average of up to 20% of their body weight after 48 weeks (11 months), depending on the dose. The treatment was also linked to improvements in waist size, blood pressure, and cholesterol, all of which play a role in heart health.

Latest news on eloralintide

November 15, 2025

Eli Lilly recently announced that every eloralintide dose group in its phase 2 trial hit the study’s main weight-loss goals. The company is now preparing for phase 3 testing, and many experts are watching to see whether this amylin-based medication could match — or even work alongside — today’s GLP-1 medications for weight loss.

What medications are already FDA approved for weight loss?

As of January 2026, 12 medications are FDA approved as weight-loss treatments. Some are only meant for short-term use, while others can be used for weight management over time.

Medication

Dosage form

How it works

Wegovy (semaglutide) pill

Tablet

Lowers appetite and food intake, helps you feel full

Contrave (naltrexone / bupropion)

Tablet

Lessens hunger and manages cravings

Qsymia (phentermine / topiramate ER)

Capsule

Lessens hunger and manages cravings

Orlistat (Alli, Xenical)

Capsule

Blocks fat absorption from your diet

Phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira)*

Tablet or capsule

Lowers appetite

Phendimetrazine*

Tablet or capsule

Lowers appetite

Diethylpropion*

Tablet

Lowers appetite

Benzphetamine*

Tablet

Lowers appetite

Zepbound (tirzepatide)

Injection

Lowers appetite and food intake, helps you feel full

Wegovy (semaglutide) injection

Injection

Lowers appetite and food intake, helps you feel full

Saxenda (liraglutide)

Injection

Lowers appetite and food intake, helps you feel full

Imcivree (setmelanotide)

Injection

Used only to treat certain genetic conditions, lowers appetite, increases energy use

*Only meant for short-term use

There are multiple ways to save on FDA-approved weight loss medications, too. For instance, if you're new to using GoodRx for Wegovy savings, pay an introductory price for the first two fills of $199 per month for the injection and $149 per month for the pill (only available for certain doses). For future fills and for other Wegovy doses, pay $349 per month for the injection and $299 per month for the pill.

Are there medications that are used off-label for weight loss?

Yes, many medications are prescribed off label for weight loss. In most cases, they’re prescribed because they cause weight loss as a side effect. These are some top examples:

Note: You should never take medication for weight-loss purposes without talking to your healthcare professional first. Many of these medications have risks and side effects to keep in mind.

Infographic comparing 8 weight loss medications side by side

The bottom line

Several new weight-loss drugs are making waves in clinical trials. This includes pills such as orforglipron and amycretin. The same goes for injectable medications such as retatrutide, CagriSema (cagrilintide and semaglutide), and MariTide (maridebart cafraglutide).

Zepbound (tirzepatide), oral and injectable Wegovy (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and more are already FDA approved as weight-loss treatments. Your healthcare professional can tell you if weight-loss medication is right for you.

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Why trust our experts?

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.
Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

References

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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