StatusInvestigational. Not FDA-approved as of our last review; in phase 3 (TRIUMPH) trials.
Why it's different
Retatrutide adds a third hormone target, glucagon, which may raise energy use as well as lower appetite.
What the trials show so far
| Study | Result |
|---|---|
| Phase 2 (NEJM, 2023) | Average weight loss of 24.2% at 48 weeks on the 12 mg dose vs 2.1% on placebo, in adults with obesity without diabetes. |
| Phase 3 TRIUMPH-4 (Lilly, December 2025) | Lilly reported average weight loss of about 28.7% at 68 weeks on the highest dose in adults with obesity and knee osteoarthritis. Full peer-reviewed results were pending at our last review. |
Approved options today
While you wait, compare approved medicines: Zepbound vs Wegovy, the Wegovy pill and the full medicine list.
Retatrutide sold online as a research peptide is not an approved medicine. Products like these have no FDA quality checks.
Explainer · 0:23
0:23 · voiced · captions on
After you eat, your gut releases a hormone called GLP-1. GLP-1 medicines copy it, but last much longer in the body.
Read the transcript
- After you eat, your gut releases a hormone called GLP-1. GLP-1 medicines copy it, but last much longer in the body.
- It slows how fast your stomach empties, so you feel full sooner and stay full for longer.
- It also acts on appetite centers in the brain, which quiets hunger and constant thoughts about food.
- When blood sugar is high, it helps the pancreas release insulin. Tirzepatide also acts on a second gut hormone, GIP.
Common questions
Is Retatrutide FDA-approved?
Investigational. Not FDA-approved as of our last review; in phase 3 (TRIUMPH) trials.
Who makes Retatrutide?
Eli Lilly.
Sources
Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a licensed clinician (MD, DO or PharmD) before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error