Updated on March 12, 2026 by Amy Harris, MPH, RN. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.
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Table of contents
- What Is Retatrutide?
- Is Retatrutide FDA-Approved for Weight Loss Management?
- If It Is a Diabetes Drug, How Can Retatrutide Help with Weight Loss?
- Could Retatrutide Be More Effective for Weight Loss Than Other Weight-Loss Drugs?
- What Conditions Could Retatrutide Treat?
- What Are Retatrutide's Side Effects or Risks?
- Explore Weight Loss Support Options
- Related Content
If you're exploring newer medications for weight management, you're not alone. Interest in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications has grown rapidly in recent years as more people look for additional tools to support weight loss. In fact, the global GLP-1 market was valued at approximately $11.87 billion in 2023 and is expected to continue growing in the coming years.[1]
As demand for these medications increases, researchers are developing new therapies designed to improve weight loss and metabolic health. One of the newest investigational drugs generating attention is retatrutide. Before deciding whether a medication may be right for you, it’s helpful to understand how these treatments work and what the current research says.
What Is Retatrutide?
Retatrutide is an experimental medication being studied for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Like other medications in the GLP-1 class, it is administered as a once-weekly injection. Current treatments such as Ozempic® and Wegovy® also use a weekly injection schedule.
Is Retatrutide FDA-Approved for Weight Loss Management?
No. Retatrutide is currently still being evaluated in Phase 3 clinical trials, which means healthcare providers cannot yet prescribe it.[2]
The drug is being developed by Eli Lilly and is being studied for potential treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease. Early research suggests it may help patients lose weight, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce fat accumulation in the liver.[3]
If It Is a Diabetes Drug, How Can Retatrutide Help with Weight Loss?
It’s not uncommon for diabetes medications to be used for weight management. Retatrutide works differently than many existing GLP-1 medications because it targets three hormone pathways instead of one.
Retatrutide acts as a gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and glucagon receptor agonist. While Ozempic® works through a single GLP-1 pathway, retatrutide activates three mechanisms that influence appetite, metabolism, and energy use.
This “triple-agonist” approach works by[4,5]:
- Slowing stomach emptying after meals, helping you feel fuller longer
- Stabilizing blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin release
- Influencing glucagon signaling, which may increase energy expenditure
Because many GLP-1 medications produce weight loss as a side effect, clinicians often prescribe them for weight management even in people without type 2 diabetes. Medications in this category include Wegovy®, Ozempic®, Rybelsus®, Saxenda®, and Mounjaro®.
Could Retatrutide Be More Effective for Weight Loss Than Other Weight-Loss Drugs?
It’s possible—but more research is needed. Early clinical trial results have shown promising weight loss outcomes.
In one study, people with obesity who took the highest dose of retatrutide lost an average of 17.5% of their starting body weight after about six months of treatment. By week 48 (approximately one year), participants lost more than 24% of their starting weight—an average of about 58 pounds.[4]
This level of weight loss appears greater than what has been observed in studies of medications like Wegovy® or Ozempic®.[6,7]
Additionally, nearly all 338 participants who took lower doses of retatrutide experienced weight reductions between 5% and 15%.[4]
Even modest weight loss can have meaningful health benefits. Studies show losing just 5–10% of body weight may help improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar control, and metabolic health.[8]
What Conditions Could Retatrutide Treat?
Researchers are investigating retatrutide as a potential treatment for several metabolic conditions, including[2,3]:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- Fatty liver disease
Fatty liver disease is commonly linked to obesity, alcohol use, and diabetes. It occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver, which may interfere with the organ’s ability to:
- Remove toxins from the bloodstream
- Digest food
- Store and release energy
Participants in early retatrutide studies also showed improvements in hemoglobin A1c (a measure of long-term blood sugar control), blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol levels as they lost weight.[7]
What Are Retatrutide's Side Effects or Risks?
In clinical trials, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were the most commonly reported side effects of retatrutide.
Similar medications in the GLP-1 class are known to cause symptoms such as:
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Gas
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
Some research has also identified rare but more serious risks associated with GLP-1 medications, including pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and gastrointestinal complications.[10]
Because retatrutide is still being studied, researchers are continuing to evaluate its long-term safety profile.
Explore Weight Loss Support Options
New medications like retatrutide highlight how quickly weight management treatments are evolving. If you're considering medical weight loss support, speaking with a licensed healthcare provider can help you understand which options may be appropriate for your health goals.
Online telehealth programs, such as our partner Shed’s, make it easier to connect with clinicians who specialize in weight management and can discuss medications, lifestyle strategies, and ongoing care.
Related Content
Can You Use A GLP-1 After Gastric Bypass?
What Is Zotrim™?
Yerba Mate and GLP-1: The Effects on Blood Sugar and Weight Loss
References
- Glucagon-like peptide agonist (GLP-1) agonists market size & share analysis - growth trends & forecasts (2023 - 2028). Mordor Intelligence. https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/glucagon-like-peptide-1-agonists-market. Published 2023. Accessed October 22, 2023.
- Stewart, J. Retatrutide: FDA Approval Status. Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/history/retatrutide.html. Published July 5, 2023. Accessed October 22, 2023.
- News release: Lilly to present new research in the treatment of diabetes and obesity at the American Diabetes Association's® 83rd Scientific Sessions. Eli Lilly. https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lilly-present-new-research-treatment-diabetes-and-obesity. Published June 20, 2023. Accessed October 22, 2023.
- Jastreboff A, Kaplan L, Frías J, et al. Triple–Hormone-Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity — A Phase 2 Trial. N Engl J Med 2023; 389:514-526. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2301972
- Doggrell SA. Is retatrutide (LY3437943), a GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptor agonist a step forward in the treatment of diabetes and obesity? Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2023;32(5):355-359. doi:10.1080/13543784.2023.2206560
- Abdi Beshir S, Ahmed Elnour A, Soorya A, et al. A narrative review of approved and emerging anti-obesity medications. Saudi Pharm J. 2023;31(10):101757. doi:10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101757
- Miller, K. Experimental new weight loss drug retatrutide may rival ozempic. Prevention. https://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/a44359639/retatrutide-eli-lilly-weight-loss-drug/. Published June 27, 2023. Accessed October 22, 2023.
- Wing RR, Lang W, Wadden TA, et al. Benefits of modest weight loss in improving cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese individuals with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2011;34(7):1481-1486. doi:10.2337/dc10-2415
- Fatty liver disease. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/fattyliverdisease.html. Published April 26, 2017. Accessed October 22, 2023.
- Weiss T, Carr RD, Pal S, et al. Real-World Adherence and Discontinuation of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in the United States. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2020;14:2337-2345. Published 2020 Nov 27. doi:10.2147/PPA.S277676
- Sodhi M, Rezaeianzadeh R, Kezouh A, Etminan M. Risk of Gastrointestinal Adverse Events Associated With Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss. JAMA. Published online October 05, 2023. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.19574
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