Medicine and research reference

Retatrutide

Selected human research on a triple-receptor agonist, including trial limits, adverse events and U.S. status.

Source and review status

Published sources checked

Sources checked on: 6 September 2026

Qualified clinical review: Pending. This page has not been clinically reviewed.

About this source check

AI-assisted editorial source checking covers the cited material and its stated limits. It is not a systematic review, verification of a supplied product, or clinical sign-off.

Editorial role: InfoAddict. Last material change: 6 September 2026. Next source review: 6 December 2026.

Identity and mechanism

Retatrutide, also called LY3437943, activates GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. It is a distinct molecule; evidence for semaglutide or tirzepatide does not establish its clinical effects.

Sources: Jastreboff and colleagues, New England Journal of Medicine; indexed by Europe PMC

A controlled human trial

A 2023 phase 2 trial enrolled 338 adults with obesity or overweight and a related condition. The study compared retatrutide with placebo over 48 weeks and found greater average weight reduction in the active-treatment groups. Eli Lilly funded it. Its size and duration limit conclusions about uncommon harms and long-term outcomes; this selected trial is not the whole development programme.

Sources: Jastreboff and colleagues, New England Journal of Medicine; indexed by Europe PMC

Adverse effects and status

Gastrointestinal effects were the most common adverse events and varied with study exposure. Heart-rate increases were also observed. The trial assessed retatrutide itself, not a cagrilintide mixture or a supplier’s research powder.

Sources: Jastreboff and colleagues, New England Journal of Medicine; indexed by Europe PMC

FDA’s current reference identifies retatrutide as outside FDA-approved medicines and warns about unapproved products sold for human use.

Sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Published sources

  1. Triple-Hormone-Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity: A Phase 2 Trial

    Jastreboff and colleagues, New England Journal of Medicine; indexed by Europe PMC. Published 26 June 2023 online; accessed 6 September 2026.

    Supports: Triple-receptor identity, 338-participant trial, weight outcomes, gastrointestinal effects and heart-rate changes.

  2. FDA’s Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Current FDA reference; accessed 6 September 2026.

    Supports: U.S. status of retatrutide and cagrilintide and concerns about unapproved products sold for human use.

Change history

DateChangeClinical-review status
6 September 2026Source-linked reference publishedPending

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