Retatrutide vs. tirzepatide: how they’re different

Key Takeaways

• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is approved for weight loss in the UK, while retatrutide is still in clinical trials and not yet available.
• Tirzepatide targets two hormones to control appetite and blood glucose, while retatrutide targets three, potentially helping with fat burning.
• Early research suggests retatrutide may lead to faster weight loss than tirzepatide.
  
• Both can cause nausea and vomiting. Retatrutide’s side effects aren’t fully understood, but it may also cause sleep issues and an increased heart rate.

What are retatrutide and tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide is a medication used for weight loss and to treat type 2 diabetes.

Retatrutide, still being studied, is also being explored for its potential to treat weight loss and type 2 diabetes.

Retatrutide works by targeting three hormones: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon. This helps reduce appetite, control blood sugar, and support fat burning.

Tirzepatide targets two hormones: GLP-1 and GIP, which help suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar levels.

How do they work in the body?

Retatrutide and tirzepatide both work by copying natural hormones produced by your body, sending signals to your brain and digestive system. 

Tirzepatide targets GLP-1 and GIP hormones to reduce food cravings and suppress your appetite so you eat fewer calories and lose weight.

Retatrutide targets GLP-1 and GIP hormones too, but it also mimics the glucagon hormone. This is still being studied, but it’s believed to boost your metabolism and help you burn more fat.

Is retatrutide or tirzepatide more effective for weight loss?

Retatrutide and tirzepatide work differently and have different dosing schedules, so comparing them directly is difficult. 

However, both medications have shown much better weight loss results than a placebo in clinical testing.

In early clinical trials, people taking the maximum dose of retatrutide lost up to 24% of their body weight after 48 weeks. 

In clinical trials for tirzepatide, people taking the highest dose lost up to 22.5% of their body weight after 72 weeks.

Both are effective for weight loss, but retatrutide may offer faster results. That said, long-term data is needed to confirm this.

What about semaglutide?

Semaglutide is another medication used for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. 

It works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which is naturally released after eating. This helps suppress your appetite, so you eat fewer calories and lose weight.

When used for weight loss, semaglutide is available under the brand name Wegovy. It’s available on prescription through the NHS and, like tirzepatide, should only be taken under medical supervision if you meet the eligibility criteria.

For diabetes, semaglutide comes in a lower dose and is prescribed under the brand name Ozempic.

Read more: Mounjaro vs. Wegovy

Retatrutide vs. tirzepatide vs. semaglutide: Key differences

Here’s a simple comparison of the key differences between retatrutide, tirzepatide, and semaglutide:

Am I eligible for Oviva?

You may also notice:

• Changes in food preferences 
• Fatigue 
• Loss of appetite – appetite suppression is expected with both medications. However, some people report a complete loss of appetite

As tirzepatide targets two hormones and retatrutide targets three, it may mean that tirzepatide is easier to tolerate at low doses, but more testing and data is needed.

Retatrutide is still undoing clinical trials, so the full range of side effects may not be fully understood. Early studies suggest that a small number of people may experience side effects like difficulty sleeping or a faster heart rate, especially at higher doses.

Because tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is already approved for use, its side effects are better understood.

Both medications should be taken under medical supervision to monitor side effects and safety.

Can you switch between them?

Retatrutide isn’t approved yet, so we don’t know when it might be appropriate to switch from tirzepatide.

In general, switching between tirzepatide and retatrutide, or any weight loss medications, is not recommended unless you’re experiencing side effects or facing supply issues.

Always follow clinical guidelines and make changes to your treatment only with approval from your healthcare team.