In plain English
Mazdutide acts on both GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, reducing appetite while increasing the energy the body burns. It is taken once a week and was approved in China in 2025.
What it's used for
- Weight loss
- Type 2 diabetes
- Fatty liver
Benefits
In human studies in China, mazdutide produced average weight loss of roughly 10–14% over 48 weeks, depending on dose, along with lower blood sugar, liver fat, blood pressure and uric acid.
How it works
In simple terms: like survodutide, it pairs GLP-1’s appetite effect with glucagon’s fat-burning effect.
It activates GLP-1 receptors (appetite, insulin, stomach emptying) and glucagon receptors (energy use, liver fat breakdown) in one molecule based on oxyntomodulin, a natural gut hormone.
Development history
- 2010s: Discovered by Eli Lilly; licensed to Innovent Biologics for China.
- 2024: Phase 3 GLORY-1 results.
- 2025: Approved in China for weight management and type 2 diabetes.
Typical protocols
These doses come from clinical trials.
| Step | Dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Start | 2 mg | Weekly for 4 weeks |
| Increase | 4 mg, then 6 mg (higher doses studied) | Weekly |
Cycling
Studied as a continuous treatment.
Administration options
Subcutaneous injection once a week.
Reconstitution and dosing calculator
Vials of powder are mixed with bacteriostatic water: for example, 10 mg with 2 mL gives 5 mg per mL.
Draw your syringe to
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- Volume to draw
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- Concentration
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- Each unit holds
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- Doses per vial
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Show the math
This tool does arithmetic only. It does not choose a dose or confirm that any substance is right for you. Double-check every result against your syringe and your clinician’s instructions.
Side effects and safety
- Common: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and reduced appetite, mostly early on.
- Slight rise in heart rate.
- Rare but serious: pancreatitis, gallbladder problems and kidney strain from dehydration.
- Not for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2.
- Avoid during pregnancy and when trying to conceive.
Common stacks
Usually used alone.
Storage
Powder: refrigerate. After mixing: refrigerate at 2–8 °C and use within about 4 weeks.
Compare with
- Survodutide: a similar dual agonist.
- Retatrutide: triple agonist, larger weight loss in trials.
- Tirzepatide: GLP-1 plus GIP instead of glucagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is mazdutide approved in the US?
No. It is approved in China.
References
- Ji L, et al. Once-weekly mazdutide in Chinese adults with obesity or overweight (GLORY-1). N Engl J Med. 2025.