Retatrutide: Is it better than Ozempic and Mounjaro?
In the world of weight management, three drugs have been making waves: Retatrutide, Semaglutide, and Tirzepatide. Each of these drugs has shown promise in clinical trials, but how do they stack up against each other? Let’s dive in.
Retatrutide
Retatrutide is an experimental drug developed by Eli Lilly and Company. It’s a triple agonist, combining glucagon receptor agonism with GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonism. In a phase 2 clinical trial, retatrutide led to a mean body weight reduction of 17.5% at the 24-week mark. By week 48, subjects lost more than 24% — an average of 58 lbs. Nearly all 338 adult participants who took lower doses of retatrutide saw a 5%–15% weight reduction.
Semaglutide
Semaglutide, marketed under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Previous studies testing semaglutide showed 15% weight loss in 24 weeks for people with obesity.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide, also developed by Eli Lilly and marketed under the brand name Mounjaro, is a dual agonist affecting both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. In 2022, tirzepatide demonstrated 22.5% weight loss after 72 week.
Comparative Analysis
When comparing these three drugs, it’s important to note that each has its own unique mechanism of action and potential benefits. Retatrutide’s triple-agonist effect offers a broader approach to metabolic health, while semaglutide provides effective glycemic control and cardiovascular benefits. Tirzepatide, on the other hand, has shown more significant reductions in body weight than retatrutide over the long-term.
However, based on the results from the mid-stage trials, retatrutide appears to produce faster and more dramatic weight loss results than other obesity medications. A study published in NEJM in March 2021 found that Wegovy shots helped people with overweight and obesity lose an average of about 15 percent of their weight over 68 weeks. In contrast, retatrutide helped people with obesity shed an average of up to 24 percent of their body weight, or almost 60 pounds, after 48 weeks of treatment.
In conclusion, while each of these drugs shows promise in the field of weight management, retatrutide seems to have an edge when it comes to the speed and amount of weight loss. However, it’s important to remember that these are still experimental drugs, and more research is needed to fully understand their long-term effects and potential benefits.
