Beyond GLP-1: The Next Wave of Obesity Drugs Including Dual and Triple Agonist Peptides
Review covers emerging obesity pharmacotherapies beyond single GLP-1 agonists, including dual (GLP-1/GIP, GLP-1/glucagon) and triple receptor agonists, amylin analogs, and other peptide-based approaches.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
The obesity drug pipeline has expanded beyond single GLP-1 agonists to include dual agonists, triple agonists, and amylin combinations that promise 20-25%+ weight loss.
Key Numbers
Bariatric surgery achieves about 20–30% sustained weight loss. Specific drug weight loss percentages are covered in the full review.
How They Did This
Narrative review of emerging obesity pharmacotherapies with focus on peptide-based dual and triple receptor agonists and combination strategies.
Why This Research Matters
Current GLP-1 drugs achieve ~15-17% weight loss. Next-generation peptide drugs targeting multiple receptors could achieve 25%+ weight loss — approaching bariatric surgery results without surgery.
The Bigger Picture
We are in a golden age of peptide-based metabolic medicine. The evolution from single GLP-1 drugs to multi-receptor peptides represents one of the most rapid therapeutic advances in pharmaceutical history, with each generation achieving greater weight loss and broader metabolic benefits.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Many drugs reviewed are still in clinical trials. Long-term safety data is limited for newer agents. Greater weight loss may come with increased side effects. Cost and access remain major barriers.
Questions This Raises
- ?Will triple agonists like retatrutide achieve weight loss comparable to bariatric surgery?
- ?Which multi-receptor combination provides the best balance of efficacy and tolerability?
- ?How will the obesity drug market evolve with so many competing peptide approaches?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Beyond single GLP-1 Next-generation dual, triple agonists and amylin combinations promise 20-25%+ weight loss — approaching surgical results without surgery
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate evidence: review of clinical trial data for multiple emerging agents at various development stages.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025. Captures the latest obesity drug pipeline including agents in phase 2 and 3 trials.
- Original Title:
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor analogues and beyond: emerging obesity pharmacotherapies.
- Published In:
- Panminerva medica, 67(3), 138-154 (2025)
- Authors:
- Abburi, Kaivalya, Melson, Eka(2), Miras, Alexander D, Papamargaritis, Dimitris
- Database ID:
- RPEP-09728
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What comes after semaglutide for weight loss?
The next wave includes dual agonists (tirzepatide, already available), GLP-1/glucagon agonists (survodutide, mazdutide), triple agonists (retatrutide targeting GLP-1/GIP/glucagon), and amylin combinations (CagriSema). These promise even greater weight loss than current GLP-1 drugs.
Could a pill replace bariatric surgery?
Triple agonists like retatrutide have shown ~24% weight loss in trials — approaching the ~25-30% typical of gastric sleeve surgery. While not identical, these peptide drugs could become alternatives for many patients who currently need surgery.
Read More on RethinkPeptides
Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-09728APA
Abburi, Kaivalya; Melson, Eka; Miras, Alexander D; Papamargaritis, Dimitris. (2025). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor analogues and beyond: emerging obesity pharmacotherapies.. Panminerva medica, 67(3), 138-154. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0031-0808.25.05339-X
MLA
Abburi, Kaivalya, et al. "Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor analogues and beyond: emerging obesity pharmacotherapies.." Panminerva medica, 2025. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0031-0808.25.05339-X
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor analogues and beyond: emerg..." RPEP-09728. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/abburi-2025-glucagonlike-peptide1-receptor-analogues
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.