Until recently, individuals who suffered from obesity had few options for medical intervention aside from surgery. The interesting thing is that only about 1% of the people who qualify for bariatric surgery actually choose to go forward with it. Many are afraid to go through surgery or do not have the financial resources to afford to take the time off work they would need for their recovery.

Over the past few years, new prescription medications have opened up a whole new list of options for promoting weight loss for these individuals. Retatrutide is a new weight loss drug that is still in the experimental phase and has shown very positive results in clinical trials. This medication was developed by Eli Lilly and differs from the other weight loss drugs currently available and may work better for many people. Today, we are going to provide an overview of this new retatrutide peptide medication, explain what makes it different from others currently on the market, and answer some frequently asked questions.

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What Is Retatrutide Peptide?

Retatrutide is a new medication that helps with weight loss and is called a peptide because it mimics certain hormones in your body that control hunger and how your body uses energy. Retatrutide targets three hormones: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon, which work together to reduce your appetite, slow down the speed of digestion, and regulate your blood sugar.

How Does Retatrutide Work For Weight Loss?

Retatrutide helps people lose weight by copying certain natural hormones that are responsible for regulating your metabolism, including how efficiently your body processes the food you eat and how well it converts it to energy.

When retatrutide injections are administered, it interacts with the receptors in your brain and your digestive system. The copycat GLP-1 and GIP help reduce your appetite, curb the food cravings that many people experience, keep the stomach full for a longer time so they do not feel the need to eat as often, and the glucagon helps to increase the rate at which the body converts calories into energy. Targeting all three of these areas with this new medication may be a great solution for many individuals who have not found success with other methods or with medications that only target one or two of these areas.

Clinical Trial Results For Retatrutide FDA Approval

Retratrutide peptide medication for weight loss is still being studied in clinical trials, but the early results have been very promising. One study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that participants who did not have diabetes lost an average of 24 percent of their body weight in 48 weeks. This is a higher percentage of weight loss in under a year compared to other medications, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide. Many people are hopeful that retatrutide gets FDA approval soon so that it will be accessible for use.

How Is This Medication Administered

Retatrutide is given as a once-weekly injection, which is how most other peptide medications are used. The starting dose of retatrutide will be low and then gradually increased to help reduce side effects and improve the weight loss results. In one clinical trial, participants were given injections of retatrutide at different doses:

• 1 mg;
• 4 mg;
• 8 mg;
• 12 mg.

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A retatrutide dosage chart is not yet available, and these guidelines are part of what is being determined during the ongoing clinical studies.What Are The Common Side Effects of Retatrutide?During the ongoing clinical trials, participants taking retatrutide commonly experience gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. For most participants, these side effects are only mild to moderate and occur most often when their dose is being increased. These side effects are similar to those experienced by patients using semaglutide and tirzepatide. Some participants also reported increases in their heart rate and other cardiac conduction issues, but these were not classified as serious events.

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Retatrutide Frequently Asked Questions

Is Retatrutide Better Than Semaglutide?

To date, the studies that are being conducted to obtain retatrutide FDA approval have shown better weight loss results in a shorter length of time, which could indicate that this new weight loss medication may be more effective than semaglutide.

What Are The Benefits Of Taking Retatrutide?

The biggest benefits include the significant amount of weight loss experienced in a shorter time frame and the improvements it provides to those with weight-related health conditions like hypertension, mobility issues, and diabetes.

What Is The Best Peptide For Belly Fat Loss?

Clinical trials have and continue to indicate that retatrutide peptide has been very effective in reducing body fat, including belly fat. The percentage of weight reduction for participants using retatrutide has surpassed that of other currently available weight loss medications, but results can vary depending on the individual’s specific circumstances.

Is Retatrutide Available Yet?

Retatrutide is still in clinical trials and has not yet been approved by the FDA, so it is not yet available. The FDA requires a third phase trial, which is set to be completed sometime during 2025 before it can be approved.

Is Retatrutide Legal?

Retatrutide is legal for use in clinical trials but is not yet approved for general medical use.

Is Retatrutide The Same As Mounjaro?

No, it is similar but not exactly the same as Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in the way it works. Retatrutide also targets glucagon, and the clinical trials have shown that targeting a combination of GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors in the body promotes greater weight loss than when only targeting GLP-1 and GIP like Mounjaro.

Is Retatrutide Better Than Semaglutide?

Semaglutide only targets your naturally produced GLP-1 hormone, and many studies have reported that tirzepatide, which targets both GLP-1 and GIP hormones, works significantly better than semaglutide. The trials that are currently being conducted on retatrutide have revealed that it may offer even more significant weight loss when compared to semaglutide.

Retatrutide vs. Tirzepatide: How Do They Compare?

When comparing retatrutide vs. tirzepatide, so far the clinical results are showing that retatrutide seems to offer better weight loss results. Both medications work by targeting certain hormone receptors in the body, but tirzepatide only targets two, and retatrutide targets three, which may offer an added advantage.

What Other Non-Surgical Options Do I Have For Weight Loss?

This new weight loss medication, retatrutide, may not be available yet, but other options for non-surgical medical intervention are available today. Individuals suffering from obesity can find help at Batash Endoscopic Weight Loss Center in NYC regardless of whether they are local or from outside of the area.

Dr. Steven Batash is expertly trained in gastroenterology and is known throughout the world as an expert in obesity medicine. He and his team can help determine the best medication and/or endoscopic weight loss tools to help you achieve sustainable weight loss to improve your health and your quality of life.

Our compassionate and knowledgeable team will help guide you every step of the way and help you overcome challenges that may have thwarted your previous weight loss attempts. Set up an in-person or virtual consultation today and get started on the pathway to better health.

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