What Is Retatrutide?

Retatrutide is a new weight loss medication that’s currently still in development. It’s a type of medication called a GLP-1 receptor agonist. These are designed to help reduce appetite and improve how your body deals with food, particularly sugar. Researchers believe retatrutide may also be used to treat type 2 diabetes and have a positive effect on other metabolic conditions such as fatty liver disease.
Early results from clinical trials looking at Retatrutide have been very promising. One trial showed that it has had significant success in supporting weight loss, with participants losing up to 17.5% of their body weight (equal to 41.2lbs or 18.7kg) after 24 weeks of treatment, with people on the higher doses losing the most. After 48 weeks, participants had lost up to 24.2% (equal to 57.8 lb. or 26.2 kg) of their body weight.
While it is not yet available to the public, Retatrutide is being studied in larger Phase III trials to see how well it works long-term and to make sure it is safe to be rolled out in the next couple of years. This guide shares everything we know about Retatrutide so far.
Key Takeaway 1
Retatrutide is a promising new weight loss medication developed to target obesity and metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease
Key Takeaway 2
It’s currently still in Phase III clinical trials, with early indications suggesting it may be licensed in 2026/27
Key Takeaway 3
If you’re looking for weight loss medication in the meantime, there are other alternatives that can help
What Is Retatrutide?
Retatrutide is a new drug that’s currently being studied to see how well it works to support weight loss and metabolic health (your metabolism). This medicine acts on three important hormone receptors in your body: the GLP-1 receptor, the GIP receptor, and the GCG receptor. Together, these receptors work to control your appetite, blood sugar, digestion and your metabolism.
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor: This helps the body release insulin, reduces appetite, and slows down digestion
- Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor: This boosts insulin levels after eating, and may support weight loss
- Glucagon (GCG) receptor: This increases energy use and supports the breakdown of fat in your body.
Early clinical trials suggest that using Retatrutide alongside a healthy lifestyle can lead to significant weight loss and improved blood sugar control. This makes it a promising future treatment for people who are living with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes. As well as these benefits, studies have shown that Retatrutide may reduce cardiovascular risk factors and can help improve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It may positively impact other conditions linked to metabolic health.
Will Retatrutide Be Better Than Mounjaro Or WeGovy?
At the moment, it’s too early to know if Retatrutide will be better than Mounjaro or Wegovy. Each of the medications work slightly differently and results can vary from person to person. Wegovy targets GLP-1, and Mounjaro targets GLP-1 and GIP. Retatrutide is different because it acts on three different receptors in your body. It targets the GLP-1, GIP, and GCG (glucagon) receptors.
This ‘triple action’ could mean that you experience more effective weight loss and improvements in overall health, but larger studies are needed before we can know for sure. Data from early Phase II clinical trials suggest that Retatrutide may support higher weight loss than the other two medicines. Without long-term results from completed Phase III trials, making clear comparisons is impossible.
At this stage, Mounjaro and Wegovy are proven options currently available for use, while researchers are still studying Retatrutide. Complete a quick and easy consultation to find out which option is best for you.

Wegovy Weight Loss Injections
Wegovy is a specially formulated medication that’s clinically proven to aid weight loss. Taken as a weekly injection, it could help to control your appetite and prevent you eating more than you need to.
Is Retatrutide Injected?
In the clinical trials, participants have been using Retatrutide as a once-weekly injection, subcutaneously, which means just under the skin. It has a relatively long half-life of around six days, which means that the medicine can stay in your body for longer, keeping the levels in your system steady.
This means that you don’t need to inject it as often as some alternatives. Retatrutide could be a more convenient option compared to treatments that require more frequent injections.
How Does Retatrutide Work?
Retatrutide works by copying the effects of your naturally occurring gut hormones. These hormones play key roles in appetite, digestion and blood sugar levels. It copies three different receptors, which makes it a ‘triple agonist’.
Retatrutide lowers blood sugar by stimulating the release of insulin when glucose levels in the blood are high, while also stopping the liver from making too much sugar by reducing the amount of glucagon produced. To promote weight loss, Retatrutide targets the areas of your brain that control and regulate your appetite, which reduces hunger. It also increases feelings of fullness when you do eat, leading to you eating less. By copying the effect of glucagon, Retatrutide increases the amount of energy you use, which may lead to greater fat loss compared with medicines acting on only one or two receptors.
What Do Clinical Trials Say About Retatrutide?
Clinical trials looking at Retatrutide have shown impressive initial weight loss results compared to a placebo, and also compared to other available medications.
One Phase II clinical trial involved 338 obese or overweight adults. Participants taking Retatrutide lost between between 7.2% and 17.5% of their body weight after 24 weeks, depending on the dose they were given. This is compared to the placebo group who lost 1.6% of their weight.
By 48 weeks, participants had lost an average of between 8.7% to 24.2% of their weight, with the highest dose group achieving the highest results. The placebo group lost 2.1% of their body weight in the same time period. Most people taking Retatrutide lost at least 5% of their weight, with up to 83% of participants (receiving the highest dose) reaching reductions of 15%.
Like other weight loss injections, the most common side effects were gastrointestinal, like nausea or diarrhoea, and these were generally mild to moderate depending on the dose taken.
When Will Retatrutide Be Available?
So far, there’s no confirmed date for when Retatrutide will be available to the public. It’s still going through testing in large Phase III clinical trials to make sure it’s safe and effective for long-term use. It can’t be prescribed until those studies are completed and the results have been reviewed.
However, if you’re looking for immediate weight management support, there are many alternatives already available. Mounjaro, WeGovy, and Orlistat can all help you manage your weight as part of a healthy lifestyle, and may be available to you after a short consultation.
Always Remember...
It is essential that you speak to a licensed medical professional before starting any weight loss medication. They can provide personalised, expert guidance, assess potential risks and ensure that your chosen treatment is safe and suitable for your health needs.
Final Thoughts
Retatrutide is an exciting new development in the future of weight loss treatments. It works by targeting three important hormone receptors in your body, impacting the ones involving appetite, blood sugar control and metabolism.
Early clinical trials have shown promising results, with many people losing a significant amount of weight, especially compared to existing available treatments. They also appear to see a noticeable improvement in overall health.
It’s not available just yet, but ongoing trials hope to confirm it’s safe to use and effective over a longer term. If you’re looking for weight management options, there are many available already.
What's Next?
Start your journey today with a quick and easy weight loss consultation. A member of our clinical team will review your answers and recommend the most suitable treatment options for you. You need to go through the consultation before we prescribe any medicine, and this means you’ll always get personalised guidance suited to your specific goals and overall health.
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