Evidence section
Emerging weight-management medicines
Two pharmacists registered and practising in British Columbia read this page against the study pages and papers it lists and signed it. Their names are withheld from the site and held on file; their registration is confirmed on request.
These medicines are not approved in Canada as of September 2026. The pages in this hub explain the published trials so readers can understand news coverage, not so anyone can obtain the medicines. Results from early-phase trials often change in later, larger trials. Each page says which phase the trial was and what remains unknown.
Studies in this section (13)
CagriSema in type 2 diabetes: a small 32-week phase 2 trial
A 92-person phase 2 trial of CagriSema, not approved in Canada, in type 2 diabetes: HbA1c fell 2.2 points and weight fell 15.6% over 32 weeks.
Orforglipron phase 2: a daily GLP-1 pill for weight loss
A 2023 phase 2 trial of orforglipron, an oral GLP-1 pill not approved in Canada, reported 9.4% to 14.7% weight loss at 36 weeks versus 2.3% with placebo.
Retatrutide in type 2 diabetes: a 36-week phase 2 trial
A 281-person phase 2 trial of retatrutide, not approved in Canada, in type 2 diabetes: weight fell 16.94% at 12 mg over 36 weeks versus 3.00% on placebo.
Retatrutide phase 2: weight change over 48 weeks in adults
A 48-week phase 2 trial of retatrutide, not approved in Canada, reported average weight change of -24.2% at 12 mg versus -2.1% with placebo.
Retatrutide and liver fat: a substudy in fatty liver disease
In a 98-person substudy, retatrutide, not approved in Canada, cut liver fat by 42.9% to 82.4% at 24 weeks versus a 0.3% rise with placebo.
ACHIEVE-1: the orforglipron pill in early type 2 diabetes
ACHIEVE-1 tested the orforglipron pill, not approved in Canada, in 559 adults with early type 2 diabetes: HbA1c fell up to 1.48 points over 40 weeks.
ATTAIN-1: the orforglipron pill for weight loss over 72 weeks
ATTAIN-1, a 3127-person trial of the orforglipron pill, not approved in Canada, reported 72-week weight change of -11.2% at 36 mg versus -2.1% on placebo.
REDEFINE 1: CagriSema for weight loss over 68 weeks
REDEFINE 1, a 3417-person trial of CagriSema, not approved in Canada, reported 68-week weight change of -20.4% versus -3.0% with placebo.
REDEFINE 2: CagriSema in adults with type 2 diabetes
REDEFINE 2 tested CagriSema, not approved in Canada, in 1206 adults with type 2 diabetes: 68-week weight change was -13.7% versus -3.4% with placebo.
Retatrutide and body fat: a DXA substudy in type 2 diabetes
A DXA substudy of retatrutide, not approved in Canada, in type 2 diabetes: body fat fell 26.1% at 8 mg versus 4.5% with placebo over 36 weeks.
ACHIEVE-3: orforglipron versus oral semaglutide in diabetes
ACHIEVE-3 compared orforglipron, not approved in Canada, with oral semaglutide in 1698 adults with type 2 diabetes: lower HbA1c, more side effects.
REDEFINE 5: CagriSema versus semaglutide in Japan and Taiwan
REDEFINE 5 compared CagriSema, not approved in Canada, with semaglutide in 331 adults in Japan and Taiwan: 68-week weight change -18.4% versus -11.9%.
TRANSCEND-T2D-1: retatrutide alone in early type 2 diabetes
TRANSCEND-T2D-1 tested retatrutide, not approved in Canada, in 537 adults with early type 2 diabetes: HbA1c fell up to 1.94 points, weight up to 15.3%.
Other evidence sections
How to read these pages
Every page in this section explains one published study. The numbers are reported as the researchers published them, with a link to the paper on PubMed. Pages say what a study cannot tell you and never rank one medicine against another. They are education, not medical advice. For how a medicine is used and paid for in Canada, see medicines, public drug coverage by province and compare services.
Reviewed and signed by two pharmacists registered in British Columbia, 2026-09-18.