Weight loss breakthrough:
Obesity remains a mounting concern globally. According to the WHO and other health experts, it's turning into an epidemic affecting both affluent and less economically developed nations. The latest weight-loss solutions in the market, like Ozempic and Mounjaro injections, are creating buzz. Typically found in vials or pre-filled syringes, they're administered weekly. However, injections aren't for everyone, causing unease among some individuals. Recently, Eli Lilly, the creators of Mounjaro, announced a promising venture into weight loss pills. Now, scientists have introduced weight loss creams and patches, claiming these can offer more efficient results.
Insights from Dr. Nicholas:
Source: aajtak
Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a skin and anti-aging specialist, remarks that the transdermal drug delivery system could revolutionize weight loss for those avoiding injections. The innovative gel formulation of tirzepatide, akin to the compound used in Mounjaro, is under development. This collaboration with Eli Lilly aims for a groundbreaking product that’s promising and, likely, highly effective.
Introducing the gel-based cream:
In the lab, a tirzepatide gel formulation is being fine-tuned. A simple wrist rub will allow the gel to penetrate deep blood vessels. Within a minute, it disperses throughout the entire body. Although still experimental, the gel is awaiting FDA approval and must undergo pre-clinical and human trials.
Exploring other weight loss creams:
Skinvisible Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Las Vegas is developing a cream containing semaglutide, an active peptide found in Ozempic and Wegovy, which absorbs into the skin ten times more effectively compared to standard topical drugs, releasing medication steadily over six hours.
Trials revealed approximately 70% of the medication infused in the cream is absorbed through the skin layers. This process relies on peptides like semaglutide, categorized under GLP-1 agonists, known for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity. The formulation also includes CB-1 receptor antagonists to suppress appetite and encourage fat burning. A controlled 10% transdermal absorption occurs over six hours, offering a more managed dosage compared to injections.
Scientific considerations and concerns:
Scientists are yet to fully confirm the effectiveness of this innovative approach on living tissues. Testing hasn't been conducted on those actively seeking weight loss, and the bioavailability remains uncertain. Intriguingly, semaglutide injections boast a bioavailability of 50-80%, while the cream's potential needs further exploration. GLP-1 agonists show promising trial results, aiding individuals in shedding approximately 15-20% of their body weight. However, injections deliver 100% of the drug immediately, leading to side effects that prompt many to discontinue use.
Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy can cause severe gastrointestinal issues that significantly impact daily life; hence, researchers propose staggered drug absorption to alleviate side effects.
The patch revolution: A stamp-sized solution
Source: aajtak
Anodyne Nanotech in Boston is also making strides, developing a patch-based weight loss medication named HeroPatch. Clinical trials are poised to begin for this small, stamp-sized patch fitted with tiny, dissolvable needles. These pricks painlessly penetrate the skin, avoiding nerve receptors and blood vessels, ensuring no discomfort is felt while delivering the medication.
Microneedles in the patch contain GLP-1 agonists, similarly to semaglutide, infiltrating the skin surface painlessly. As skin moisture dissolves these needles, the medication is released incrementally, absorbed by the skin's intracellular fluids. Over a few hours, the needles completely dissolve, leaving a used patch to be discarded.
Animal trials last year suggest a patch administers a 3.6 mg dose of semaglutide, surpassing Wegovy's 2.4 mg dosage. According to company sources, a single patch continuously dispenses medication for a week. Anodyne CEO and co-founder Lombardo envisions HeroPatch as a game-changer in GLP-1 delivery and a versatile treatment platform for managing chronic health issues.
