Mazdutide
A weight loss injection that suppresses appetite while also boosting your metabolism and helping your liver burn fat. Approved in China for obesity in 2024, with up to 14% body weight loss in trials. It targets two hormones — GLP-1 (which reduces hunger) and glucagon (which increases calorie burning and liver fat breakdown). Particularly promising for people with fatty liver disease alongside obesity.
Dosage
6-9 mg subcutaneous once weekly
Dosages shown are for research reference only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Administration
Subcutaneous injection (weekly)
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Effects
Weight Loss
Up to 14% body weight loss through combined appetite suppression and fat oxidation.
Liver Fat Reduction
Glucagon-mediated hepatic fatty acid oxidation reduces liver fat.
Blood Sugar Control
GLP-1 component provides glucose-dependent insulin secretion.
Mechanism of Action
Mazdutide is a dual-receptor agonist that activates both GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, combining appetite suppression with increased energy expenditure. The GLP-1 component functions similarly to other GLP-1 agonists — binding to receptors in the hypothalamus to reduce hunger, stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells, and slowing gastric motility to prolong post-meal satiety.
The glucagon receptor component distinguishes mazdutide from pure GLP-1 agonists. Glucagon binding in the liver activates adenylyl cyclase, increasing cAMP and activating protein kinase A, which phosphorylates key enzymes in fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis. This drives the liver to burn stored fat as fuel rather than accumulate it — a mechanism with direct therapeutic relevance for patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). In adipose tissue, glucagon signaling promotes lipolysis and may activate thermogenic programs in brown and beige fat cells.
The engineering challenge in dual GLP-1/glucagon agonists is balancing the hyperglycemic effect of glucagon against the glucose-lowering effects of GLP-1. Mazdutide achieves this by tuning the relative receptor affinities so that GLP-1-mediated insulin secretion offsets glucagon-driven glucose production, resulting in net glycemic improvement alongside enhanced fat oxidation and energy expenditure.
Regulatory Status
Approved in China (2024) for obesity. Not FDA approved. Phase 3 trials outside China being planned. Innovent Biologics/Eli Lilly.
Risks & Safety
Common
nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, reduced appetite, injection site reactions.
Serious
elevated liver enzymes, inflammation of the pancreas, gallstones.
Rare
thyroid concerns (seen with similar drugs in animals), severe liver damage.
Compare Mazdutide With
Research Papers
27Published: January 29, 2026
AI Summary
Adding glucagon receptor activation to GLP-1 drugs may boost weight loss by increasing energy use. Mazdutide and other dual or triple agonists are being developed to improve on current incretin therapies.
Published: December 16, 2025
AI Summary
In Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes, mazdutide at 4 mg and 6 mg beat dulaglutide for both blood sugar and weight loss over 28 weeks. Gastrointestinal side effects were more common with mazdutide.
Published: December 16, 2025
AI Summary
Mazdutide monotherapy significantly lowered blood sugar and body weight versus placebo in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes. The drug was generally well tolerated with typical GLP-1-like side effects.
Published: November 23, 2025
AI Summary
GLP-1 drugs have transformed obesity treatment and may help in fatty liver, heart disease, and other conditions. The review outlines their promise and remaining hurdles.
Published: January 16, 2026
AI Summary
The DREAMS-3 trial is comparing mazdutide with semaglutide in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Results will inform treatment choices for this population.
Published: October 6, 2025
AI Summary
Glucagon co-agonists like survodutide and mazdutide have shown strong weight loss and blood sugar improvements. The review covers new GLP-1-based drugs in development.
Published: September 14, 2025
AI Summary
A case report describes the use of dose-escalated mazdutide in an adolescent with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high uric acid. Data in adolescents remain limited.
Published: December 29, 2025
AI Summary
Mazdutide was approved in China in 2025 for weight management and type 2 diabetes. It is also being studied for fatty liver, sleep apnea, and alcohol use disorder.
Published: December 29, 2025
AI Summary
Glucagon affects fat burning and energy use, and dual agonists like mazdutide are being tested for obesity and fatty liver. Phase 3 trials will clarify their safety and efficacy.
Published: November 19, 2025
AI Summary
A phase 1 trial evaluated mazdutide at doses up to 16 mg in adults with overweight or obesity for safety and efficacy.
Published: August 30, 2025
AI Summary
In mice on a high-fat diet, mazdutide reduced liver fat more than semaglutide alone. MRI measures of liver fat and iron correlated with tissue findings.
Published: July 23, 2025
AI Summary
Glucagon-based multi-agonists like mazdutide have shown strong weight loss in trials and may become important obesity treatments. Cost, access, and long-term safety remain key considerations.
Published: July 5, 2025
AI Summary
The study examined whether mazdutide improves cognitive function in diabetes-related cognitive impairment through multi-omics analysis.
Published: June 11, 2025
AI Summary
The study evaluated mazdutide for weight loss in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity.
Published: May 10, 2025
AI Summary
Incretin therapies like mazdutide are expanding beyond glucose and weight to liver, heart, and kidney benefits. The review covers developments from 2023 to early 2025.
Published: February 3, 2025
AI Summary
A systematic review and network meta-analysis compared incretin drugs on blood sugar, weight, and blood pressure in adults with overweight or obesity.
Published: January 21, 2025
AI Summary
Mazdutide is in phase 3 obesity trials. The systematic review summarizes the obesity drug pipeline and the most promising emerging options.
Published: September 3, 2024
AI Summary
Survodutide, mazdutide, and pemvidutide have shown significant weight loss in trials. The review summarizes approved and emerging hormone-based obesity medications.
Published: December 18, 2024
AI Summary
A network meta-analysis compared seven GLP-1 receptor agonists and polyagonists for weight loss in people with obesity or overweight.
Published: September 17, 2024
AI Summary
Abstract too short to summarize.
Published: May 21, 2024
AI Summary
Oral GLP-1 drugs and injectable combinations like mazdutide are in development for type 2 diabetes and obesity. The review outlines where the field stands.
Published: October 12, 2024
AI Summary
A meta-analysis of GLP-1/glucagon dual agonists showed benefits for blood sugar and weight in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Published: February 13, 2024
AI Summary
A meta-analysis synthesized evidence on mazdutide for weight loss in adults with and without diabetes.
Published: December 13, 2023
AI Summary
In Chinese adults with overweight or obesity, 24 weeks of mazdutide produced up to 11.3% weight loss versus placebo. The drug was well tolerated.
Published: December 31, 2023
AI Summary
A phase 2 trial evaluated mazdutide in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes for efficacy and safety.
Published: December 6, 2022
AI Summary
Mazdutide at 9 mg and 10 mg was tested for safety and efficacy in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity in a phase 1b trial.
Published: June 23, 2022
AI Summary
A phase 1b trial of mazdutide in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes showed good tolerability and meaningful reductions in blood glucose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mazdutide?
A weight loss injection that suppresses appetite while also boosting your metabolism and helping your liver burn fat. Approved in China for obesity in 2024, with up to 14% body weight loss in trials. It targets two hormones — GLP-1 (which reduces hunger) and glucagon (which increases calorie burning and liver fat breakdown). Particularly promising for people with fatty liver disease alongside obesity.
What is Mazdutide used for?
A weight loss injection that suppresses appetite while also boosting your metabolism and helping your liver burn fat. Approved in China for obesity in 2024, with up to 14% body weight loss in trials. It targets two hormones — GLP-1 (which reduces hunger) and glucagon (which increases calorie burning and liver fat breakdown). Particularly promising for people with fatty liver disease alongside obesity.
What is the dosage for Mazdutide?
Approved (China): 6-9 mg subcutaneous once weekly. Dose escalation over initial weeks starting at lower doses. Clinical trial doses ranged from 3-9 mg subcutaneous once weekly.
What are the side effects of Mazdutide?
Common: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, reduced appetite, injection site reactions. Serious: elevated liver enzymes, inflammation of the pancreas, gallstones. Rare: thyroid concerns (seen with similar drugs in animals), severe liver damage.
How does Mazdutide work?
Mazdutide is a dual-receptor agonist that activates both GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, combining appetite suppression with increased energy expenditure. The GLP-1 component functions similarly to other GLP-1 agonists — binding to receptors in the hypothalamus to reduce hunger, stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells, and slowing gastric motility to prolong post-meal satiety. The glucagon receptor component distinguishes mazdutide from pure GLP-1 agonists. Glucagon binding in the liver activates adenylyl cyclase, increasing cAMP and activating protein kinase A, which phosphorylates key enzymes in fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis. This drives the liver to burn stored fat as fuel rather than accumulate it — a mechanism with direct therapeutic relevance for patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). In adipose tissue, glucagon signaling promotes lipolysis and may activate thermogenic programs in brown and beige fat cells. The engineering challenge in dual GLP-1/glucagon agonists is balancing the hyperglycemic effect of glucagon against the glucose-lowering effects of GLP-1. Mazdutide achieves this by tuning the relative receptor affinities so that GLP-1-mediated insulin secretion offsets glucagon-driven glucose production, resulting in net glycemic improvement alongside enhanced fat oxidation and energy expenditure.
How is Mazdutide administered?
Mazdutide is administered via subcutaneous injection (weekly).
What is the half-life of Mazdutide?
The half-life of Mazdutide is 144-192 hours (6-8 days).
Is Mazdutide legal?
Approved in China (2024) for obesity. Not FDA approved. Phase 3 trials outside China being planned. Innovent Biologics/Eli Lilly.
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