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    Retatrutide vs Semaglutide

    Independent, side-by-side comparison of Retatrutide and Semaglutide: mechanism, half-life, dose range, safety profile, and live vendor pricing. Updated continuously as new research and listings land.

    Retatrutide from $65.00
    Semaglutide from $39.00

    Live price snapshot

    Retatrutide

    Current low
    $219.00
    as of Apr 22, 2026
    7-day low
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    Semaglutide

    Current low
    $99.00
    as of Apr 22, 2026
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    no 7d data yet
    30-day low
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    no 30d data yet
    30-day change
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    baseline building

    Retatrutide

    Featured

    Retatrutide (also coded LY3437943) is an investigational once-weekly triple-agonist at the GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors — the third-generation incretin-based therapy developed by Eli Lilly. Where Semaglutide…

    Live lowest price: $65.00 across 15 vendors

    Full Retatrutide profile

    Semaglutide

    Featured

    Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) with a molecular weight of 4113.58 Da and CAS number 910463-68-2. It is a 31-amino-acid peptide analog of human GLP-1(7-37) with two key structural…

    Live lowest price: $39.00 across 13 vendors

    Full Semaglutide profile

    Side-by-side comparison

    Attribute Retatrutide Semaglutide
    Category Metabolic & Weight Loss Metabolic & Weight Loss
    Research Stage Phase III FDA Approved
    Mechanism of Action Retatrutide is a 39-amino-acid synthetic peptide with balanced agonist activity at three receptors: GLP-1R, GIPR, and GCGR (glucagon receptor). It is chemically modified with a C20 fatty diacid side chain (similar to semaglutide) to bind albumin and extend its… GLP-1 Receptor Agonism and cAMP Signaling Semaglutide binds to the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), a class B G-protein coupled receptor expressed on pancreatic beta cells, hypothalamic neurons, gastric smooth muscle, cardiac myocytes, and other tissues. Upon binding,…
    Half-Life ~6 days (plasma, albumin-bound) ~7 days (168 hours), enabled by C18 fatty diacid albumin-binding modification
    Typical Dose Range 1,000–12,000 mcg (1–12 mg) per week Diabetes (Ozempic): 250-1000 mcg weekly; Weight management (Wegovy): 2400 mcg weekly (after 16-week titration); Oral (Rybelsus): 3-14 mg daily
    Dosing Frequency Once weekly subcutaneous injection Once weekly subcutaneous injection
    Administration subcutaneous Subcutaneous (weekly), Oral (daily)
    Side Effects Retatrutide has a GLP-1-class side-effect profile with additional considerations from its GIP and glucagon receptor components. Common (10% of Phase 2 participants) - Nausea — most frequent adverse event; dose-related; typically worst in first 2-4 weeks of… Nausea (especially at initiation — dose-dependent), vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, decreased appetite (therapeutic effect), headache, fatigue, dizziness. Rare: pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, thyroid C-cell tumors (rodent studies).…
    Molecular Weight 4731 g/mol 4113.6 Da
    Common Vial Sizes 5mg, 10mg 3mg, 5mg, 10mg

    Price History

    5 data points
    • OF
    • BM
    • Nova Peptides
    • VANDL Labs
    • Unknown
    • Ion Peptide

    Price History

    5 data points
    • OF
    • Nova Peptides
    • VANDL Labs
    • LB
    • Ion Peptide

    Retatrutide — potential benefits

    • Body weight reduction up to 24% at 48 weeks (Phase 2 data)
    • Glycemic control in T2DM — HbA1c reduction similar to tirzepatide
    • Hepatic fat reduction — potential MASH/NAFLD therapeutic effect
    • Modest increase in resting energy expenditure (3-5%)
    • Preferential visceral fat reduction
    • Blood pressure and lipid profile improvement (secondary to weight loss)
    • Once-weekly dosing convenience
    • Strongest non-surgical weight loss demonstrated in clinical trials to date

    Semaglutide — potential benefits

    • Mean body weight reduction of 14.9% at 68 weeks in STEP 1 trial (PMID: 33567185)
    • Sustained weight loss of ~15% maintained through 104 weeks in STEP 5 (PMID: 34170647)
    • 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in SELECT trial (PMID: 37351564)
    • HbA1c reduction of 1.5-1.8% in type 2 diabetes
    • Reduction in systemic inflammation (hs-CRP reduced ~37% in SELECT)
    • Available in both subcutaneous (weekly) and oral (daily) formulations
    • Improved cardiometabolic risk factors including blood pressure and lipid profile
    In-depth comparison

    Retatrutide vs Semaglutide: the long answer

    Retatrutide is a triple agonist (GIP + GLP-1 + glucagon) in Phase 3; phase-2 produced ~24% body-weight loss at 48 weeks at 12 mg/wk. Semaglutide is the single GLP-1 agonist (Ozempic/Wegovy) FDA-approved since 2017/2021; STEP-1 showed 14.9% at 68 weeks at 2.4 mg/wk. Retatrutide loses substantially more weight on paper but isn't FDA-approved yet — cost, access, and safety record dominate the practical decision today.

    Last reviewed: May 18, 2026

    Mechanism — three receptors vs one

    Semaglutide is a pure GLP-1 receptor agonist: slows gastric emptying, signals satiety to the hypothalamus, improves first-phase insulin response, lowers fasting glucose. That's the one lever. Retatrutide adds two more: GIP receptor agonism (potentiates GLP-1 satiety + direct adipose-tissue effects) and glucagon receptor agonism (raises resting metabolic rate ~5-10%, stimulates hepatic lipolysis, drives liver-fat clearance). Each added receptor expands the weight-loss mechanism set — and the trial data shows it.

    • Semaglutide: Single agonist (GLP-1)
    • Retatrutide: Triple agonist (GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon)
    • Why three matters: Glucagon agonism alone raises resting metabolic rate by 5-10% — semaglutide has no equivalent metabolic-rate effect, so even at matched satiety the weight-loss math favors retatrutide.

    Efficacy — trial readouts head-to-head

    STEP-1 (semaglutide, NEJM 2021, 1,961 adults): 14.9% mean body-weight loss at 2.4 mg/wk through 68 weeks. Retatrutide's Phase 2 trial (NEJM 2023, 338 adults): 12.7%, 17.5%, 22.8%, and 24.2% at 1, 4, 8, and 12 mg/wk through just 48 weeks. The retatrutide curve was still descending at week 48 — Phase 3 (TRIUMPH-1) is the readout that will tell us where it plateaus. No direct head-to-head trial exists yet, but the indirect comparison favors retatrutide by roughly 8-10 percentage points at top doses through 1-year follow-up.

    • Semaglutide @ 2.4 mg (68 wk): 14.9% body-weight loss (STEP-1)
    • Retatrutide @ 12 mg (48 wk): 24.2% body-weight loss (Phase 2)
    • Indirect gap at top doses: ~8-10 percentage points favor retatrutide through 48-week follow-up

    Dosing — escalation protocols

    Both require slow titration to manage GI side effects. Semaglutide for obesity (Wegovy): start 0.25 mg/wk, escalate 0.25 → 0.5 → 1.0 → 1.7 → 2.4 mg every 4 weeks. T2D dosing (Ozempic) caps at 1.0 mg/wk — that's why the weight-loss numbers people quote come from the obesity indication, not the diabetes indication. Retatrutide Phase 2 protocol: 2 → 4 → 8 → 12 mg every 4 weeks. Research-use community typically starts more conservatively (1-2 mg) to assess tolerance before scaling. Both are once-weekly subQ.

    • Semaglutide titration (Wegovy): 0.25 → 0.5 → 1.0 → 1.7 → 2.4 mg/wk, +1 step every 4 weeks
    • Retatrutide titration: 2 → 4 → 8 → 12 mg/wk, +1 step every 4 weeks (Phase 2)
    • Ozempic vs Wegovy disambiguation: Both semaglutide. Ozempic caps at 1.0 mg (T2D); Wegovy goes to 2.4 mg (obesity). The 14.9% weight-loss figure is at 2.4 mg, not 1.0 mg.

    Safety — overlapping front-end, diverging tail

    Shared GI profile: nausea (40-50%), vomiting (15-25%), diarrhea or constipation (~25%). Both share the thyroid C-cell tumor boxed warning (rodent finding, no confirmed human signal). Semaglutide has the longest post-market record in the class — FDA-approved 2017 for T2D, 2021 for obesity, ~7 years of population-level data. Retatrutide adds a glucagon-arm signal: transient resting-heart-rate +3-5 bpm and ~5% incidence of mild ALT/AST elevation in Phase 2. The HR bump usually fades by month 3; the liver-enzyme signal warrants periodic CMP monitoring at top doses.

    • Shared GI side effects: Nausea ~45%, vomiting ~20%, GI motility changes ~25% — peak during titration, fade by week 4 of each dose
    • Semaglutide-specific advantage: 7+ years of post-market data, no novel signals beyond the class
    • Retatrutide-specific tail risks: Transient HR +3-5 bpm; <5% mild liver enzyme elevation at 12 mg in Phase 2

    Cost — pharmacy + compounded + research-use channels

    US retail semaglutide: Ozempic ~$900/month, Wegovy ~$1,300/month. Insurance coverage is broad for diabetes (Ozempic) but mixed for obesity (Wegovy). Compounded semaglutide ran $200-400/month before FDA enforcement actions in late 2024 significantly restricted the channel. Retatrutide is not FDA-approved, so there is no pharmacy or insurance pathway — it's strictly research-use. Research-use retatrutide tracked on BHG runs ~$0.16-0.42/mg, putting a 12 mg/wk protocol at roughly $8-20/week in raw molecule cost. Per kg lost over a 48-week protocol, retatrutide is dramatically cheaper today; that gap may compress when retatrutide hits pharmacy channels in 2027+.

    • Semaglutide retail: $900-1,300/month US pharmacy (Ozempic vs Wegovy)
    • Retatrutide research-use: $0.16-0.42/mg → ~$8-20/week at 12 mg dose
    • Live prices: Both track on /compound/retatrutide and /compound/semaglutide

    Who chooses which

    Choose semaglutide if you want the longest safety record in class, prescription access (Wegovy at 2.4 mg or Ozempic at 1.0 mg), insurance leverage when available, and a more predictable side-effect profile. Choose retatrutide if you prioritize maximum weight loss, you're willing to navigate the research-use pathway (no prescription, vendor due diligence required, COA verification + bloodwork monitoring on you), and you can wait out the Phase 3 + FDA approval timeline if you want the molecule to be legal. For BMI 35+ or aggressive recomp protocols, the absolute weight-loss difference matters — retatrutide wins on output. For mild-to-moderate obesity or T2D as primary indication, semaglutide's track record + price point still hold.

    • Choose semaglutide if: Want longest safety record, prescription/insurance pathway, T2D primary indication, or moderate weight-loss goal
    • Choose retatrutide if: Goal is max weight loss, BMI 35+, willing to navigate research-use channel + monitor own labs

    Frequently asked

    What's the difference between Retatrutide and Semaglutide?

    Retatrutide is a metabolic & weight loss that retatrutide is a 39-amino-acid synthetic peptide with balanced agonist activity at three receptors: glp-1r, gipr, and gcgr (glucagon receptor). it is chemically modified with a c20…. Semaglutide is a metabolic & weight loss that glp-1 receptor agonism and camp signaling semaglutide binds to the glp-1 receptor (glp-1r), a class b g-protein coupled receptor expressed on pancreatic beta cells, hypothalamic…. The two differ in mechanism, half-life (~6 days (plasma, albumin-bound) vs ~7 days (168 hours), enabled by C18 fatty diacid albumin-binding modification), and typical dose range.

    Which has the longer half-life, Retatrutide or Semaglutide?

    Retatrutide has a half-life of ~6 days (plasma, albumin-bound). Semaglutide has a half-life of ~7 days (168 hours), enabled by C18 fatty diacid albumin-binding modification. Longer half-lives generally mean less frequent dosing but slower on/off kinetics.

    Which is cheaper, Retatrutide or Semaglutide?

    Current lowest live price on BodyHackGuide: Retatrutide from $65.00, Semaglutide from $39.00. Prices are pulled from the vendor listings tracked on BHG and change frequently — see the compare tables on each compound page for the current set of offers.

    Can you stack Retatrutide and Semaglutide?

    Stacking depends on mechanism overlap, safety profile, and goals. Retatrutide and Semaglutide should only be stacked after reviewing each compound's individual protocol page, side effect profile, and any published interaction data. Use the BodyHackGuide stack builder for a structured review before combining research compounds.

    Is retatrutide better than semaglutide for weight loss?

    By the published numbers, yes — substantially. Retatrutide at 12 mg/wk produced 24.2% body-weight loss at 48 weeks in Phase 2; semaglutide at 2.4 mg/wk produced 14.9% at 68 weeks in STEP-1. The retatrutide curve was still descending at trial end. There's no head-to-head trial yet, but the indirect comparison favors retatrutide by 8-10 percentage points. The trade-off: retatrutide isn't FDA-approved and has a thinner post-market safety record.

    Can you switch from semaglutide to retatrutide?

    Most users cross-titrate: hold the last semaglutide dose for 1-2 weeks, then start retatrutide at 2-4 mg/wk and escalate from there. Direct mg-for-mg matching doesn't work because the receptor profiles differ — retatrutide's glucagon arm changes satiety + metabolic dynamics that pure GLP-1 doesn't trigger. Expect 2-3 weeks of mild GI re-flare during the transition. Watch resting heart rate (retatrutide can add 3-5 bpm) and consider a baseline CMP for liver enzyme tracking.

    Why is retatrutide more effective if both target GLP-1?

    Retatrutide adds two additional receptor targets that semaglutide doesn't touch — GIP and glucagon. GIP potentiates GLP-1 satiety + adds direct adipose-tissue effects. Glucagon agonism raises resting metabolic rate 5-10% and drives hepatic lipolysis. Pure GLP-1 (semaglutide) gets you the satiety + insulin lever. Triple-agonism (retatrutide) gets all three at once.

    When will retatrutide be FDA-approved?

    Phase 3 TRIUMPH-1 readout is expected late 2026 / early 2027. Eli Lilly has positioned retatrutide as the successor to tirzepatide in their obesity pipeline. Assuming positive Phase 3, FDA approval for obesity indication is likely late 2027 / 2028. Diabetes indication may follow.

    Can you stack retatrutide and semaglutide?

    No. Both saturate the GLP-1 receptor. Stacking compounds the side-effect burden (nausea, GI motility issues) without proportional efficacy gain. If you want more weight loss than semaglutide alone delivers, switch to retatrutide — don't stack. The Wegovy + research-use combo is a recipe for amplified GI symptoms with little additional benefit.

    What's the difference between retatrutide and tirzepatide?

    Tirzepatide is a dual agonist (GIP + GLP-1) — FDA-approved as Mounjaro/Zepbound. Retatrutide is a triple agonist (GIP + GLP-1 + glucagon) — still in Phase 3. The added glucagon arm is the difference: it lifts resting metabolic rate and clears liver fat in ways tirzepatide can't. See /compare/retatrutide-vs-tirzepatide for the deep-dive on that pair.

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    Retatrutide prices Semaglutide prices Compare all compounds

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