It mimics the gut hormone GLP-1 to: slow stomach emptying (you feel full sooner) stimulate insulin release and suppress glucagon (better blood-sugar control) act on appetite centers in the brain (reduced cravings) Animal and early human studies suggest these mechanisms kick in below the 1 mg weekly dose, as discussed in Healthlines explainer on microdosing
Avoid: All GLP-1 patches until Phase 3 clinical trials demonstrate their efficacy, which is not expected until 2030 or later, when microneedle technology may enable effective transdermal delivery of medications like semaglutide
See our comparison of retatrutide vs tirzepatide vs semaglutide
2021;44(Supplement 1):11124
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Has not been studied in combination with prandial insulin