For the hype surrounding GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as Wegovy and Zepboundthese medications do not work for everyone. Nearly 17% of people taking these medications are considered “non-responders” and seek other options. But a buzzy new drug is waiting in the wings. Although not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), people are already looking for it.
It’s called retatrutide, and it’s a triple agonist drug, which means it acts on three different receptors in the body. In comparison, Wegovy (semaglutide) acts on one receptor, while Zepbound (tirzepatide) acts on two.
Retatrutide is already a game changer in a field of healthcare that has already received many impressive drugs in recent years. In fact, clinical trial results it is shown to be so effective in weight loss that some people have dropped out of trials because they felt they had lost too much weight.
But retatrutide is still being tested in clinical trials. Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of reatrutide and Zepbound, has not even submitted trial results to the FDA for approval. So it’s still an experimental drug – and versions of it are sold cheaply online.
Mir Ali, MDmedical director of the MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif., tells SELF that retatrutide is “not really available” after clinical trial enrollment. There is no set timeline for when it will be on the market, as clinical trial results have not yet been submitted to the FDA.
If you’ve struggled with it weight loss with a GLP-1 drug or you just want to pay significantly less for what looks like the next big thing in weight loss drugs, it’s understandable if you’re tempted to add this one to your cart. That’s why doctors recommend resisting the urge.
What is retatrutide?
Retatrutide is similar to GLP-1 drugs in some ways. Namely, it is used for weight loss and is given as an injection once a week. As WegsOzempic and Zepbound, retatrutide reduce appetite and slow digestion.
But retatrutide is more than that. This drug acts on three hormone receptors in the body – glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon (GCG). “This is the first one that works on three different receptors,” says Dr. Ali. “The theory is that the more receptors it affects, the more effective the drug will be.”
