Work

Tirzepatide and Retatrutide in the Treatment of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Current Evidence and Future Directions. a Systematic Review of Current Literature

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Background: The global prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has achieved unprecedented levels, imposing substantial burdens on healthcare systems worldwide. Incretin-based pharmacotherapies have fundamentally transformed therapeutic approaches to these metabolic disorders over the past decade. Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. Retatrutide additionally targets glucagon receptors. Both agents represent groundbreaking advances in metabolic pharmacotherapy. Objective: This comprehensive review synthesizes clinical evidence from trials conducted between 2014 and 2024, examining pharmacological mechanisms, therapeutic efficacy, safety characteristics, and prospective clinical applications of these novel multi-receptor agonists. Methods: We performed systematic literature searches across PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. Selection criteria encompassed randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and prospective cohort studies, adhering to PRISMA methodology throughout. Results: Phase 3 clinical trials showed superior efficacy of tirzepatide compared to existing pharmacotherapies, reaching body weight reductions of approximately 22.5% and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reductions of up to 2.4 percentage points. Phase 2 trials of retatrutide revealed even more remarkable outcomes, with weight reductions approaching 24.2% over 48 weeks. Both medications exhibited favorable cardiovascular profiles, though gastrointestinal adverse events constitute the predominant tolerability concern. Conclusions: These pharmacological agents represent paradigm-shifting developments in obesity and diabetes management. Their therapeutic effectiveness approximates outcomes previously achievable only through surgical intervention, marking a transformative milestone for pharmacotherapy. Ongoing phase 3 trials will further elucidate their optimal positioning within clinical treatment algorithms.

Source: International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science

DOI: 10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.4671