From Ozempic to Wegovy to Mounjaro, injectable weight-loss drugs have become household names — and now there’s a new one everyone is talking about.
Retatrutide, a once-weekly experimental injection, is generating buzz for its potential to outperform current medications by a wide margin. Experts say its unique approach to targeting multiple hormones could be a game-changer for obesity treatment.
Jennifer Brown, MD, ABOM, ABFM, tells Life & Style that Retatrutide works differently from currently available weight-loss drugs.
“Retatrutide is a new once-weekly experimental weight-loss injection developed by Eli Lilly. It’s a triple agonist drug, meaning it targets three separate hormonal pathways to treat obesity,” she explains. “It targets GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. In comparison, semaglutide targets only GLP-1 receptors, whereas tirzepatide targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors.”
According to Brown, adding glucagon to the mix plays a key role by increasing energy levels, helping normalize glucose, and maximizing fat metabolism.
So what truly sets Retatrutide apart from other popular weight-loss medications? Brown points to its effectiveness.
“Retatrutide stands out from other weight-loss medications for its effectiveness,” she says. “Semaglutide leads to around 15 percent weight loss, while tirzepatide causes an average of 20 percent weight loss. Retatrutide is also the only triple agonist, which accounts for its astounding weight-loss effect.”
Dr. Amie Hornaman, a functional practitioner known as The Thyroid Fixer, also spoke to Life & Style about why the medication is generating so much excitement.
“Most people call retatrutide a GLP-1 because that’s the easiest way to describe it,” she explains. “But it actually works on three hormone pathways, not one. Because of that, some experts are starting to call this next wave a ‘GLP-3.’”
Hornaman adds that Retatrutide isn’t just about appetite suppression. “GLP medications primarily help people eat less, but glucagon helps drive metabolism,” she says. “In simple terms, retatrutide is designed to help people eat less and burn more at the same time, which is why early clinical trials are showing greater average weight loss compared to earlier-generation drugs.”
While Retatrutide is still in Phase 3 clinical trials and has not yet received FDA approval, early results are promising.
“In trials, it has been shown to cause an average 27.8 percent reduction in total body weight over 68 weeks — far more than other weight-loss medications,” Brown adds.
According to Hornaman, Retatrutide is widely expected to become one of the most powerful medical weight-loss options available once it reaches the market, though it likely won’t be accessible until 2026 or later.
Information regarding health and well-being is provided for awareness, education and general information. Health benefits of various medicines, diets, weight-loss strategies and foods are the opinions of the authors and/or those they interviewed, and there may be differing views on many of the topics covered, including evolving research, opinions, benefits and efficacy. This article is meant to inform the general reader and is not a substitute for medical advice from a physician or nutritional advice from a dietitian and/or nutritionist. Please refrain from starting, stopping or consuming any medication or regimen without the supervision of a trained physician. Please beware that in this emerging field of research, medications could cause adverse effects and problems not reported here. Please consult a doctor if you have chronic ailments or feel adverse side effects after starting a drug, nutrition or weight-loss regimen, and do not ingest, inject or otherwise use items to which you have sensitivities or may be allergic. Readers should consult a licensed health care professional who knows their personal medical history on matters relating to their health and well-being, including being aware of potential interactions with medications they are taking and conflicts with other wellness-related goals. Patients seeking treatment for weight loss should consult a physician trained in management of overweight or obesity.
