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The landscape of GLP-1 weight loss drugs is evolving rapidly, with several pharmaceutical companies reporting promising results for oral formulations, new concerns about taste and smell disturbances, and a growing microdosing trend among users.
Two Phase II trials published this month show oral candidates achieving weight loss comparable to injections. Structure Therapeutics' aleniglipron led to up to 12.1% body weight loss over 36 weeks, while AstraZeneca's elecoglipron produced up to 11.8% loss Source: Gizmodo (Race). Both companies are advancing to Phase III trials. Eli Lilly's ofolifeigron (Foundayo) was already approved in April 2026. Other candidates from Roche, Ascletis, and Viking Therapeutics are in development.
A retrospective study of nearly 439,000 type 2 diabetes patients found that GLP-1 users had a 48% higher risk of developing smell or taste disturbances compared to those on other diabetes drugs. Absolute risk was low (0.37% vs 0.22%), but conditions like anosmia and parageusia were reported Source: Gizmodo (Side Effect). Researchers caution that further studies are needed to confirm causality.
Microdosing—taking lower than prescribed doses—has surged online, with advocates citing fewer side effects and lower costs. Telehealth companies like Fridays, Noom, and Found Health now offer lower-dose protocols Source: LA Times. However, experts warn that long-term safety and efficacy data are lacking.
“People taking once-daily elecoglipron lost up to 11.8% of their body weight over a 36-week period, the data showed.”
“In a Phase II trial published this month in Nature Medicine, people taking once-daily aleniglipron lost up to 12.1% body weight over a 36-week span.”
“Overall, 0.37% of GLP-1 users in the matched comparison were diagnosed with smell or taste problems, compared to 0.22% of non-users.”
“In 2025, following the surge of anecdotal reports online about microdosing, a number of telehealth companies such as Fridays, Noom and Found Health started offering GLP-1 protocols at lower doses and lower costs.”