Amycretin

What is Amycretin?

Amycretin is a medication that Wegovy and Ozempic manufacturer Novo Nordisk is developing. It’s part of a new generation of weight loss drugs, which could deliver better results than GLP-1 treatments currently available.

It is still in early clinical stages, so it’s not available yet. However, trials have already shown impressive weight loss results in participants. This has prompted global interest and has fast-tracked plans for later-stage trials of both oral and injectable versions of the drug.

Amycretin is known as a ‘unimolecular dual agonist’. This means a single molecule activates two hormone receptors involved in appetite and weight regulation:

• GLP-1 receptors, which help control blood sugar and reduce appetite
• Amylin receptors, which slow how quickly food leaves the stomach (known as delayed gastric emptying) and increase satiety (feeling full and satisfied after a meal)

Many GLP-1 weight loss medications, including Wegovy, Saxeda and Ozempic, only target GLP-1 receptors. By targeting GLP-1 and amylin receptors, patients using Amycretin may experience even more weight loss than other treatments.

How Does Amycretin Work?

Amycretin works by activating both GLP-1 and amylin receptors in the brain and digestive system. Your body releases these hormones after eating. They play a key role in making you feel full and regulating your blood sugar.

The GLP-1 action:

• Releases more insulin, the hormone released when sugars are high
• Decreases glucagon, the hormone that increases blood sugars
• Slows stomach emptying, making you feel full

The amylin action:

• Further delays stomach emptying, making you feel full for longer
• Reduces your appetite
• Increases satiety, which leaves you feeling full

So Amycretin can reduce hunger, control craving and slow digestion. It might mimic the feeling of eating a large meal, even when you’ve had a smaller portion. This helps you eat less. When combined with a healthy diet and exercise, this can cause you to lose weight.

Amycretin is being tested as both an injection and as a pill. The pill version contains a compound named SNAC (sodium N-(8-[2-hydroxylbenzoyl] amino) caprylate). This allows the pill to be properly absorbed into the stomach lining, preventing the medication from being broken down during digestion.

What are the Side Effects of Amycretin?

Clinical trials suggest Amycretin will have similar side effects to medications such as Wegovy and Saxenda. So, the most common side effects will likely include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Stomach discomfort

These side effects were generally mild to moderate. Patients experienced them most at higher doses or after increasing their dose.

So far, there have been no reports of serious adverse effects. There are not any new safety concerns beyond those of similar medications.

How Do I Take Amycretin?

Amycretin is currently being trialled in two formats:

• Oral tablets - taken once daily (50 mg or 100 mg)
• Weekly injections - with doses ranging from 1.25 mg to 60 mg

Much like Wegovy or Mounjaro, you will increase your dose as you continue to take Amycretin. Lower doses allow your body to tolerate the medication, helping you to manage side effects.

The specific dosing schedule will depend on the final product’s approval. But early studies suggest both oral and injectable formats are effective, offering flexibility for patients.

How Do I Store Amycretin?

Although Amycretin is not yet available to the public, it may follow the storage requirements of similar injectable therapies.

Injections will likely be stored in the fridge (2°C to 8°C), and may be kept at room temperature for short periods.

Tablets (if approved) will likely be stored at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.

The manufacturer will confirm exact instructions when regulators authorise the drug and it becomes available in the UK.

Amycretin Contraindications and Interactions

Since Amycretin is a GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist, it is expected to carry similar contraindications to other GLP-1 drugs. If this is the case, Amycretin will not be suitable for:

• People with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC)
• People with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
• People with a history of pancreatitis
• People who are pregnant or breastfeeding

Drug interactions are still being studied but may include:

• Oral medications that require you take it at a particular time
• Insulin or other diabetes medications that lower blood sugar

Patients should consult with a healthcare professional for personalised guidance once Amycretin becomes available.

When Will Amycretin Be Available?

Novo Nordisk has confirmed that Phase III trials for Amycretin will begin in early 2026. This follows positive results from Phase I and Phase 1b/2a trials for both oral and injectable forms.

This means Amycretin could be available to the public in late 2027 or 2028. However, it will depend on the outcome of trials and whether regulators approve it. So it’s difficult to predict with the information available so far. Other factors, such as manufacturing costs and tariffs, may also affect availability.

Points of Interest in Trials

Amycretin’s early trial data has been exceptionally promising, particularly in terms of weight loss outcomes:

Phase I Oral Trial

• Weight Loss Results: Participants lost 10.4% of body weight over 12 weeks taking 50 mg daily. Participants lost 13.1% over 12 weeks taking the 100 mg dose daily.
• Side Effects: Participants experienced mild and moderate side effects, with no serious events

Phase 1b/2a Injectable Trial

• 1.25 mg (after 20 weeks): Patients lost 9.7% of their starting weight
• 5 mg (after 28 weeks): Participants lost 16.2% of their starting weight
• 20 mg (36 weeks): Participants lost 22.0% of their starting weight
• 60 mg (36 weeks): Participants lost up to 24.3% of their starting weight
• Side Effects: Mainly stomach-related side effects

Summary from ADA 2025 & The Lancet

Combined oral and injection results confirm:

• Patients lost 10% to 24% of their starting body weight, depending on dose
• The medication has the same safety profile as other GLP-1 drugs
• Weight loss results were the same or better than current GLP-1 drugs

Summary

Amycretin is a weight loss drug being developed by Novo Nordisk. It works by targeting two of your body’s hormone receptors: GLP-1 and amylin.

Trials have shown participants have lost from 10% to more than 24% of their starting weight, depending on dose. It’s shown to have similar side effects to existing GLP-1 weight loss treatments.

Manufacturers are developing both oral and injectable versions of Amycretin. So Amycretin could offer patients different options for taking it, depending on what you prefer. This could set a new standard for obesity treatment. Full Phase III trials are expected to start in 2026 and Amycretin could be available to patients by 2028.

Amycretin Alternatives

Until Amycretin is approved, there are several weight loss medications already available:

• Wegovy (semaglutide): Weekly GLP-1 injectionapproved for obesity
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide): Dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist showing powerful weight loss
• Saxenda (liraglutide): Daily injection, GLP-1 based
• Orlistat: Oral fat-blocker that reduces fat absorption
• Lifestyle-based treatments: Dietitian-supported programmes and exercise plans

References

Jastreboff AM, et al. Amycretin poster presentation, ADA 2025 Available at: https://sciencehub.novonordisk.com/content/dam/sciencehub/global/en/congresses-and-scientific-publications/congresses/ada2025/Jastreboff/documents/SNCD2503_amycretin_poster.pdf.

Novo Nordisk (2024). R&D pipeline. [online] www.novonordisk.com. Available at: https://www.novonordisk.com/science-and-technology/r-d-pipeline.html.

Clinicaltrials.gov. Phase I Oral Amycretin Trial (2025). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05369390.

Dahl, K., Toubro, S., Dey, S., Duque do Vale, R., Flint, A., Gasiorek, A., Heydorn, A., Jastreboff, A.M., Key, C., Petersen, S.B., Vegge, A. and Adelborg, K. (2025). Amycretin, a novel, unimolecular GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist administered subcutaneously: results from a phase 1b/2a randomised controlled study. The Lancet. [online] doi:link https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(25)01185-7.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2022). Type 2 diabetes. [online] NICE. Available at: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summaries/type-2-diabetes/.

NOVO NORDISK INC (2025). Novo Nordisk advances early-stage obesity medication, amycretin, to phase 3 clinical development based on early-phase clinical trial results in people with obesity or excess weight, published in The Lancet. [online] Prnewswire.com. Available at: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/novo-nordisk-advances-early-stage-obesity-medication-amycretin-to-phase-3-clinical-development-based-on-early-phase-clinical-trial-results-in-people-with-obesity-or-excess-weight-published-in-the-lancet-302487500.html [Accessed 7 Aug. 2025].