Retatrutide

If you’ve been on the lookout for new weight-loss and diabetes treatments, then surely you might have already heard of Retatrutide. But what is Retatrutide, exactly, and why is it creating so much buzz in the medical world? Let’s break it down. 

What Is Retatrutide?

The drug, retatrutide, is an investigational medication (which means it is not yet available on prescription and still in testing) that has been developed to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes. It is made by Eli Lilly, the same company that makes other popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs.

 

What makes Retatrutide unique is that it works on three hormone receptors at the same time.

•       GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1)
•       GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide)
•       Glucagon receptors

These hormones are major actors in the regulation of blood sugar, appetite, and metabolism. By hitting all three, Retatrutide has the potential to be even more potent than the popular GLP-1 treatments of today, like Semaglutide. Retatrutide has been nicknamed ‘Triple G’.

How Does Retatrutide Work?

There’s a reason why Retatrutide has been nicknamed “Triple G”, that’s because it’s the first injection to target three different hormone receptors at the same time. Let’s look at how it works for the three hormones.

 

Retatrutide activates the GLP-1 receptor, which is also used by Wegovy. This slows the speed at which your stomach empties after eating and increases the feeling of fullness for longer. And we can do some simple maths that illustrates this:Less hunger = fewer calories consumed. 

 

By targeting GIP receptors, Retatrutide helps your body respond well to insulin. That means blood sugar levels remain more stable, which is a big deal for people with type 2 diabetes. When your sugar is stable, you don’t have cravings.

 

The third one is the glucagon receptor. Glucagon normally helps to raise blood sugar, but when it is accompanied by GLP-1 and GIP, glucagon revs up your metabolism and promotes the burning of stored fat for energy.

 

That “third hit” on the glucagon receptor appears to be a game. And it’s what has been producing a record number of pounds lost by participants in trials, with some people recording more than a quarter of their weight in less than a year.

What Does Retatrutide Treat?

Right now, Retatrutide is being developed for just obesity and type 2 diabetes. But research has found that it can help with a few other health problems as well.

 

1.      Obesity

This is the main reason Retatrutide was developed and is now showing record-breaking results in weight loss trials. Triple G targets appetite, blood sugar, and fat burning all at the same time.

2.      Type 2 Diabetes

Because Retatrutide increases insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar, it is also being tested as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Because it helps in keeping your blood sugar under control, it is essential for fending off fatigue, unwarranted thirst, and long-term issues like kidney or eye trouble.

3.      Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Research has shown that Retatrutide may also benefit people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes and occurs when the liver accumulates too much fat. If it is left untreated, it can result in scarring or liver failure.

Is Retatrutide Better Than Wegovy and Mounjaro?

That’s the question everyone has been asking: which option do I go for? As of right now, the most popular weight loss injections are Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide). Both of these injections have shown consistent results, but Retatrutide may have an edge.

 

The key edge Retatrutide has over other injections is that it works on three hormone pathways (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon), while Wegovy targets one and Mounjaro targets two.

 

Early trial results show:

 

• Retatrutide: up to 24% weight loss in 48 weeks
• Mounjaro: about 22% in 72 weeks
• Wegovy: around 17% in 68 weeks

How Is Retatrutide Administered?

Retatrutide is given as a once-a-week injection, just like the popular weight loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro. It’s injected under the skin (usually in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm) using a pre-filled pen.

Side Effects of Retatrutide

Side effects are similar to those of Wegovy and Mounjaro. Common side effects include: 

 

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea

Because of how strong and powerful Retatrutide is, the side effects will most likely be stronger. A pharmacist usually recommends starting with a low dose and gradually increasing it to help your body adjust better to the injection.

When Will Retatrutide Be Available?

Retatrutide is now in Phase 3 clinical studies, the last stage before a drug can come up for regulatory review. If the results continue to be positive, it could be approved and available by 2026–2027. Once the trials are successfully completed, it will need to be reviewed by regulators, including the MHRA in the UK and the FDA in the US, who must deem it safe and effective before it can be offered.

 

As a first step, it is likely to be available on private healthcare, with access through the NHS coming after national health bodies have finished their own reviews.

How Much Will Retatrutide Cost?

The official cost of Retatrutide is not yet available because the drug is still being developed. Its price has not been revealed yet, but it should be similar to the cost of other weight loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro. Nowadays, these treatments range from £130 to £230 per month if purchased privately in the UK.

 

Given that Retatrutide has positioned itself as the next generation of these weight loss injection medications and with potentially stronger weight loss, its launch price might be towards the higher end of this range.