Historically, individuals who needed some type of medical intervention to help them effectively lose weight and improve their health were only offered surgical options. Today, prescription weight loss injections have made a way for more people to get the help they need while also making it easier for them to make lifestyle changes that will help them maintain their results long term.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide, which are prescribed under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, have been approved by the FDA and are available for use. Retatrutide is still in clinical trials and does not currently have a name brand associated with it, but it seems to be delivering amazing weight loss results in a shorter amount of time than its predecessors.
Today, we are going to take a look at the retatrutide dose schedule used in the clinical trials and the weight loss it yielded, how to take retatrutide, and we will answer some frequently asked questions about this up-and-coming weight loss drug.
What Is Retatrutide and How Do You Use It?
Retatrutide is the newest weight loss medicine that is being developed by Eli Lilly, which is the same company that brought Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide) to the marketplace. It does not yet have a brand name, so researchers refer to it as retatrutide or LY‑3437943, but once it is approved for general use, it will more than likely be branded under two different names: one for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and another for weight management.
It is different from other weight loss drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro or Zepbound) because retatrutide targets three of the hormones your body naturally produces instead of just one or two, which include
GLP-1
Helps you feel full and slows down how fast food leaves your stomach, helps keep your blood sugar levels regulated, helps reduce cravings, and suppresses your appetite.
GIP
Works with GLP-1 to help control your appetite and enhances how your body regulates insulin and your blood sugar and encourages your body to burn calories more efficiently and not to store fat.
Glucagon
Boosts how fast your body burns calories and fat, provides you with more energy, and speeds up your entire metabolism.
When you eat, your body makes and releases these hormones into your system, and when all three are working at their best, it helps your body maintain a healthy weight. Often, people with underlying conditions or normal changes that come with age can inhibit how well your body manufactures and distributes these hormones, which can lead to weight gain and some serious health conditions. Retatrutide works with the hormones in your body to enhance their functionality and makes your metabolism much more efficient, so you can lose weight.
Retatrutide helps you eat less, feel full longer, store less sugar, and burn more fat. Clinical trials have shown that so far it is helping participants lose more weight,and lose it faster than other medications on the market right now.
How Do You Use Retatrutide?
This prescription medication is administered once a week through subcutaneous injection into a fatty area of your body, such as your thigh, stomach, or the back portion of your upper arm. The medication works best if you maintain a balanced level in your body at all times, so it is recommended that you take your shots on the same day of the week and as close to the same time as possible.
Retatrutide Dosing for Weight Loss
Since this prescription weight loss injection is still in clinical trials, this retatrutide dosing schedule is still not finalized and may change when the drug is officially released.
All GLP-1 agonist medications are dosed using a titration schedule, which means that you start at the lowest dose and then work your way up in strength until you find the one that triggers weight loss for you. One of the main reasons you start out slow is because these medications come with side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other GI-related issues that can interfere in your daily life if they are too severe. Using a titration schedule allows your body time to adapt to each increase in strength while keeping the side effects to a minimum.
Your doctor will oversee your progress and will guide your schedule accordingly, so you may remain on the same dose for more than four weeks if you are steadily losing weight.
to see the entire table
| Titration schedule | Weeks | Weekly Dose |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Dose | 1–4 | 1 mg |
| 5–8 | 2 mg | |
| 9–12 | 4 mg | |
| 13–16 | 8 mg | |
| 17-21 | 12 mg | |
| Maintenance | 21+ | Anywhere from 4-12 mg per doctor’s guidance |
*Those are retatrutide dosage guidelines as this schedule has not been finalized yet.
What Retatrutide Dosage Was Used in Clinical Trials for Obesity?
338 adults participated in the phase 2 clinical trial of retatrutide, who were either classified as obese (BMI of 30 or higher) or were overweight (BMI between 27 and 29.9) and had at least one health issue related to their weight, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, etc.
They were split into different groups, with some receiving retatrutide in different doses and others given a placebo (a shot with no active medication). The retatrutide doses for the group included:
- 1 mg dose;
- 4 mg dose, starting with 2 mg and gradually increasing;
- 4 mg dose, starting right at 4 mg;
- 8 mg dose, starting with 2 mg;
- 8 mg dose, starting with 4 mg;
- 12 mg dose, starting with 2 mg.
The following chart shows the results of the retatrutide dosages used during the clinical trials. There are a few things in this chart that are worth pointing out. The first is that you will see that in just 24 weeks, the participants at the 12 mg dosage of retatrutide had already lowered their total body weight by over 17%, and by 48 weeks, this had reached over 24%. This shows a much faster rate of weight loss than those who participated in the trials for semaglutide and tirzepatide, which ran for 68 weeks.
Also, those who were taking the retatrutide 4 mg lower dose also achieved very substantial weight loss results, amounting to between around 30 and 41 pounds for a 250-pound individual.
to see the entire table
| Group | Weight Loss at 24 Weeks (%) | Weight Loss at 48 Weeks (%) | Change in BMI (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placebo | -1.6 | -2.1 | -0.7 |
| 1 mg retatrutide (subcutaneous) | -7.2 | -8.7 | -3.2 |
| 4 mg retatrutide, start at 2 mg | -11.8 | -16.3 | -6.1 |
| 4 mg retatrutide, start at 4 mg | -13.99 | -17.8 | -6.7 |
| 8 mg retatrutide, start at 2 mg | -16.7 | -21.7 | -8.1 |
| 8 mg retatrutide, start at 4 mg | -17.9 | -23.9 | -9.0 |
| 12 mg retatrutide, start at 2 mg | -17.5 | -24.2 | -9.1 |
How the Dosage for Retatrutide and the Results Compare with Those of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide
Here is an overview comparison of the clinical trial results for retatrutide dosages vs tirzepatide vs semaglutide.
to see the entire table
| Prescription Medication | Hormones Targeted | Time To Reach Results | Average Weight Loss From Starting Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide (Wegovy) | GLP‑1 | 68 weeks | 17% |
| Tirzepatide (Zepbound) | GLP‑1 + GIP | 72 weeks | 20-21% |
| Retatrutide (low dose) | GLP‑1 + GIP + glucagon | 48 weeks | 8.7% |
| Retatrutide (high dose) | GLP‑1 + GIP + glucagon | 24 weeks | 17.5% |
| Retatrutide (high dose) | GLP‑1 + GIP + glucagon | 48 weeks | 24% |
Would You Like More Information About How to Use Retatrutide Or Other GLP-1 Injections For Weight Loss?
If you would like to learn more about retatrutide or other GLP-1 medications for weight loss, the team of experts at MySlimMed can help. All you have to do to get started is set up a consultation that can be done virtually from the comfort of your own home.
Dr. Angelina Postoev will go over your health history and any family history of certain medical conditions, talk with you about your previous attempts at weight loss, and discuss the goals you would like to achieve. If you are a good fit for GLP-1 medications, she will help you choose the one that will best fit your lifestyle and help you reach your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Retatrutide Dosing for Weight Loss
Is there a best time of day to take retatrutide?
As long as you remain consistent, you can take retatrutide in the morning or evening and take it on the same day and at the same time each week. Some people report they feel fewer side effects when they take it in the evening or before a weekend, especially when they are first starting the medication or a new strength.
How much retatrutide do you take?
Your dose of retatrutide will be determined by your doctor and will be based on your needs and circumstances, and how your body responds to the medication. You will start out at a low dose of 1-2 mg a week before the dosage is gradually increased according to your progress.
