COMING SOON! Pricing information TBD.
Retatrutide is an injection for weight-loss.
How does retatrutide work for weight loss?
To help people lose weight, retatrutide should be used along with lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and exercise.
Retatrutide works by activating like three gut hormones that help balance appetite and metabolism:
- Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)
- Glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1)
- Glucagon
When you eat, two important gut hormones—GIP and GLP-1—signal your pancreas to release insulin. This helps move sugar out of your bloodstream and into your cells to use for energy. At the same time, they reduce the amount of new glucose your liver makes.
But that’s not all—GIP and GLP-1 also slow digestion, which helps you feel full longer, and they act on the brain centers that control appetite and cravings.
Another hormone, glucagon, usually tells the liver to make more sugar, but medicines like retatrutide help balance this with GIP and GLP-1 so your blood sugar doesn’t get too high. Glucagon also has some good jobs, like speeding up metabolism and helping the body burn stored fat for energy.
How effective is retatrutide for weight loss?
In clinical studies, people taking the higher retatrutide doses (8 mg and 12 mg) lost an average of 24% of their body weight in just 11 months. That’s more weight loss, in less time, than has been seen with any other approved weight-loss medication.
Side effects
Retatrutide has side effects similar to other GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide. The most common side effects of retatrutide are stomach-related, including:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
People rated these side effects as mild or moderate and reported that the side effects were more noticeable when first starting the medication.
Who shouldn’t take retatrutide?
You should not take retatrutide if you have the following:
- A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Bariatric surgery (within the past 18 months)
- A personal history of pancreatitis
- Active gallbladder disease
- Kidney disease or transplant
- Heart attack, stroke, heart conditions that limit your daily activity in the last 6 months
How do I take retatrutide?
Retatrutide for weight loss is given once weekly as an injection under the skin (subcutaneously).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR RETATRUTIDE
Can I switch from semaglutide or tirzepatide to retatrutide?
Yes, you can. You can switch from semaglutide or tirzepatide to retatrutide by typically waiting one week after your last dose of medication. Your healthcare provider will determine the best starting dose of retatrutide based on your individual needs and medical history.
How much weight can I lose with retatrutide?
Healthy, sustainable weight loss is 0.5 to 2 pounds per week. Some people routinely lose more than this. Retatrutide has led to a 24% weight loss in studies. A large phase 3 clinical trial is still underway to confirm how well retatrutide works for weight loss. Results are expected in early 2026.
What is the difference between retatrutide and other weight loss medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide?
All are once-weekly injectable medications for weight loss. Both work in similar but slightly different ways and have different doses.
Retatrutide is different because it activates three hormones (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon), while semaglutide only works on GLP-1 and tirzepatide targets GLP-1 and GIP. This triple action may lead to greater weight loss and added metabolic benefits. Early studies show retatrutide has produced more weight loss than both semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Keep in mind that semaglutide may be a better option for you if you have heart disease. Semaglutide has been shown to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events (heart attack and stroke). Semaglutide may also be a better option for you if you’re taking oral contraceptives or blood thinners.
It’s also important to remember that everyone responds to medications differently. What works well for one person may not work the same way for another, so finding the right treatment is always a personalized process.
How often is retatrutide taken?
Retatrutide is taken once a week, any time of the day that works best with your schedule, with or without food.
How fast can you increase the dose?
The retatrutide dose is increased every 4 weeks, not sooner. Your dose will likely increase, provided you haven’t had any bothersome side effects and need to lose more weight.
Will I have to take retatrutide forever?
The answer to this is complicated. The short answer is it depends on the person.
Nutrition, physical activity, and good-quality sleep are essential for weight loss. And unfortunately, stress and underlying health conditions like PCOS or hypothyroidism can also impact your ability to maintain a healthy weight. Retatrutide is helpful but may only be necessary for a while if you can adopt lifestyle changes and continue to use them after you stop retatrutide.
Why do I regain weight after stopping retatrutide?
It’s important to know that regaining weight isn’t unique to retatrutide. It’s possible to regain weight after stopping any weight loss medication.
Because retatrutide suppresses your appetite, stopping treatment can cause your appetite to return. Also, keep in mind that retatrutide should be used with lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and exercise. Getting enough quality sleep is important, too. If you stop incorporating these healthy habits into your routine when you stop retatrutide treatment, you’ll likely regain weight.
Where can I inject retatrutide?
You can inject retatrutide into the fatty tissue of your upper arms, stomach, or upper thighs.
Where should I store my retatrutide?
Retatrutide should be stored in the refrigerator.
Here at BIFAT Center, we’ll provide you with your very own peptide travel cooler case that’s equipped with a reusable gel ice pack. This case will keep your medication cool and safe for up to 4 hours for easy transport to and from the BIFAT Center to your home.