Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

Can Weight Loss Medicines Reduce Chronic Knee Pain? Eli Lilly's Experimental Drug Retatrutide Shows Promise

Can Weight Loss Drugs Reduce Chronic Knee Pain? Eli Lilly's Experimental Drug Retatrutide Shows Promise

<span>Eli Lilly</span>'s 'Godzilla' weight loss drug <span>retatrutide</span> could offer more than just weight loss. The experimental drug, a once-weekly injection, has shown promising results in easing chronic knee pain among people with obesity and knee osteoarthritis in two Phase 3 clinical trials.

The findings, published in the <em><span rel="noindex">New England Journal of Medicine</span></em> (NEJM), suggest that the drug could address obesity and painful knee osteoarthritis, two interconnected health concerns. Participants receiving retatrutide experienced significant improvements in knee pain than those who received a placebo. 

The findings are noteworthy as excess bodyweight can aggravate knee <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/toddlers-swollen-knee-turned-out-to-be-juvenile-arthritis-diagnosis-signs-parents-should-not-ignore-article-156410683" data-type="tilCustomLink">osteoarthritis</a> more which can make everyday activities, including walking, climbing stairs and exercising, difficult. 

<h2>What Is Retatrutide And How Does It Work?</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/stopping-mounjaro-zepbound-may-trigger-hallucinations-mania-other-psychiatric-symptoms-article-156496743" data-type="tilCustomLink">Stopping Mounjaro &amp; Zepbound May Trigger Hallucinations, Mania &amp; Other Psychiatric Symptoms</a>

Retatrutide is a once-weekly injectable medication which belongs to a newer class of weight-loss drugs known as triple-hormone receptor agonists.

Unlike semaglutide (which targets GLP-1 receptors) and tirzepatide (which targets GLP-1 and <span>GIP</span> receptors), retatrutide activates three hormone receptors:

- GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1): Helps regulate appetite, slow stomach emptying and control blood glucose levels.

- GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide): Helps regulate insulin production and metabolic regulation.

- <span>Glucagon</span>: Plays a role in energy metabolism and can increase energy expenditure.

By targeting all three, <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/retatrutide-vs-ozempic-eli-lillys-experimental-drug-delivers-more-than-double-the-weight-loss-article-156447742" data-type="tilCustomLink">retatrutide</a> helps regulate appetite, food intake and energy metabolism, resulting in substantial weight loss and management of obesity-related illnesses. 

Researchers wanted to investigate whether this amount of weight reduction could also help people experiencing chronic knee pain linked with osteoarthritis.

<h2>Findings From Two Clinical Trials</h2>

The findings come from two Phase 3 clinical trials, TRIUMPH-4 and TRIUMPH-1-OA, which enrolled 1,019 participants.

Both trials included overweight or obese adults with knee osteoarthritis. Participants did not have diabetes and were randomly assigned to receive different doses of retatrutide or a placebo.

The trial included 445 participants who received either 9 mg or 12 mg of retatrutide or a placebo over 68 weeks.

- Participants receiving 9 mg of retatrutide experienced a 3.96-point reduction in their WOMAC pain score.

- Those receiving 12 mg experienced a 3.74-point reduction.

- The placebo group experienced a 2.12-point reduction.

Participants also experienced substantial weight loss. Those receiving 9 mg lost an average of 20% of their body weight, while the 12 mg group lost 23.7%. The placebo group lost 4.6%.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/fitness/not-everyone-with-obesity-is-unhealthy-new-study-challenges-bmi-article-156496327" data-type="tilCustomLink">Not Everyone With Obesity Is Unhealthy: New Study Challenges BMI</a>

This trial enrolled 574 participants who received 4 mg, 9 mg or 12 mg of retatrutide or a placebo over 80 weeks. The results showed:

- The 4 mg group experienced a 3.22-point reduction in knee pain scores.

- The 9 mg group experienced a 3.48-point reduction.

- The 12 mg group experienced a 3.64-point reduction.

- The placebo group experienced a 1.87-point reduction.

Weight loss ranged from 17.5% to 24.8% across the three retatrutide groups, compared to 4.3% in the placebo group.

One encouraging finding emerged from the trials. Approximately 63% to 70% of participants receiving retatrutide experienced at least a 50% reduction in knee pain. This was compared to 38% of participants receiving a placebo.

Improvements in physical function were also observed, with approximately 64% of participants in the retatrutide groups experiencing at least a 50% improvement, compared to 33.1% in the placebo group.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/stopping-ozempic-or-wegovy-may-double-your-risk-of-heart-attack-death-article-156488595" data-type="tilCustomLink">Stopping Ozempic or Wegovy May Double Your Risk Of Heart Attack, Death</a>

Despite the promising findings, researchers also identified safety concerns at higher doses of retatrutide. The most common adverse events were <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/ibs-is-not-just-a-gut-problem-lancet-review-explains-the-gut-brain-connection-article-156449476" data-type="tilCustomLink">gastrointestinal problems</a>, including nausea, diarrhoea and constipation. These symptoms were generally mild to moderate and occurred more frequently when dose was increased.

Another reported side effect was dysesthesia, an abnormal sensation of the skin that can include tingling, burning or unusual sensitivity.

In TRIUMPH-4, serious adverse events affected approximately 10% to 11% of participants receiving 9 mg or 12 mg of retatrutide, compared to 2% in the placebo group.

Furthermore, approximately 15% to 18% of participants receiving the highest dose discontinued treatment because of adverse events.

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Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition in which the cartilage cushioning the ends of bones breaks down. This can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and difficulty in movement. Excess body weight can worsen the condition due to increased mechanical pressure on the knees and inflammation related to obesity.

While the findings offer hope for people living with chronic knee pain, researchers caution against interpreting pain relief as evidence that the drug can reverse osteoarthritis. Additionally, people who required knee replacement were excluded from the trials.

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Eli Lilly's 'Godzilla' weight loss drug retatrutide could offer more than just weight loss. The experimental drug, a once-weekly injection, has shown promising results in easing chronic knee pain among people with obesity and knee osteoarthritis in two Phase 3 clinical trials.The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), suggest that the drug could address obesity and painful knee osteoarthritis, two interconnected health concerns. Participants receiving retatrutide experienced significant improvements in knee pain than those who received a placebo. The findings are noteworthy as excess bodyweight can aggravate knee osteoarthritis more which can make everyday activities, including walking, climbing stairs and exercising, difficult. What Is Retatrutide And How Does It Work?Also read: Stopping Mounjaro & Zepbound May Trigger Hallucinations, Mania & Other Psychiatric SymptomsRetatrutide is a once-weekly injectable medication which belongs to a newer class of weight-loss drugs known as triple-hormone receptor agonists.Unlike semaglutide (which targets GLP-1 receptors) and tirzepatide (which targets GLP-1 and GIP receptors), retatrutide activates three hormone receptors:- GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1): Helps regulate appetite, slow stomach emptying and control blood glucose levels.- GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide): Helps regulate insulin production and metabolic regulation.- Glucagon: Plays a role in energy metabolism and can increase energy expenditure.By targeting all three, retatrutide helps regulate appetite, food intake and energy metabolism, resulting in substantial weight loss and management of obesity-related illnesses. Researchers wanted to investigate whether this amount of weight reduction could also help people experiencing chronic knee pain linked with osteoarthritis.Findings From Two Clinical TrialsThe findings come from two Phase 3 clinical trials, TRIUMPH-4 and TRIUMPH-1-OA, which enrolled 1,019 participants.Both trials included overweight or obese adults with knee osteoarthritis. Participants did not have diabetes and were randomly assigned to receive different doses of retatrutide or a placebo.1. TRIUMPH-4 trialThe trial included 445 participants who received either 9 mg or 12 mg of retatrutide or a placebo over 68 weeks.- Participants receiving 9 mg of retatrutide experienced a 3.96-point reduction in their WOMAC pain score.- Those receiving 12 mg experienced a 3.74-point reduction.- The placebo group experienced a 2.12-point reduction.Participants also experienced substantial weight loss. Those receiving 9 mg lost an average of 20% of their body weight, while the 12 mg group lost 23.7%. The placebo group lost 4.6%.Also read: Not Everyone With Obesity Is Unhealthy: New Study Challenges BMI2. TRIUMPH-1-OA trialThis trial enrolled 574 participants who received 4 mg, 9 mg or 12 mg of retatrutide or a placebo over 80 weeks. The results showed:- The 4 mg group experienced a 3.22-point reduction in knee pain scores.- The 9 mg group experienced a 3.48-point reduction.- The 12 mg group experienced a 3.64-point reduction.- The placebo group experienced a 1.87-point reduction.Weight loss ranged from 17.5% to 24.8% across the three retatrutide groups, compared to 4.3% in the placebo group.One encouraging finding emerged from the trials. Approximately 63% to 70% of participants receiving retatrutide experienced at least a 50% reduction in knee pain. This was compared to 38% of participants receiving a placebo.Improvements in physical function were also observed, with approximately 64% of participants in the retatrutide groups experiencing at least a 50% improvement, compared to 33.1% in the placebo group.Also read: Stopping Ozempic or Wegovy May Double Your Risk Of Heart Attack, DeathSide Effects Of RetatrutideDespite the promising findings, researchers also identified safety concerns at higher doses of retatrutide. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal problems, including nausea, diarrhoea and constipation. These symptoms were generally mild to moderate and occurred more frequently when dose was increased.Another reported side effect was dysesthesia, an abnormal sensation of the skin that can include tingling, burning or unusual sensitivity.In TRIUMPH-4, serious adverse events affected approximately 10% to 11% of participants receiving 9 mg or 12 mg of retatrutide, compared to 2% in the placebo group.Furthermore, approximately 15% to 18% of participants receiving the highest dose discontinued treatment because of adverse events.      Weight Loss & Knee HealthOsteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition in which the cartilage cushioning the ends of bones breaks down. This can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and difficulty in movement. Excess body weight can worsen the condition due to increased mechanical pressure on the knees and inflammation related to obesity.While the findings offer hope for people living with chronic knee pain, researchers caution against interpreting pain relief as evidence that the drug can reverse osteoarthritis. Additionally, people who required knee replacement were excluded from the trials.