Getting To Know Retatrutide: The Latest Breakthrough In Weight Loss

The creators of Mounjaro, Eli Lilly, are currently developing a new generation of weight loss drugs, known as Retatrutide.

What is Retatrutide?

Retatrutide works similarly to other weight loss medicines in the market, like Wegovy, Saxenda and Mounjaro. However, what sets it apart from its competitors is that it is a tri-agonist GLP-1 medication aimed at obesity management. This means that there are three separate hormones being targeted that are responsible for reducing appetite and promoting weight loss within the body. 

How does Retatrutide work?

Retatrutide targets three hormones. The first is the gastric inhibitory peptides, also known as GIP. GIP is secreted by the guy after a meal and when it is released, it alerts the beta cells within the pancreas. GIP instructs the pancreas to increase insulin levels within the blood which can help with regulating blood sugar levels and ultimately aid in weight loss. 

Similarly, GLP-1 is also produced in the same faction and aims to increase insulin levels and regulate blood sugar levels for weight loss. 

Glucagon is the tertiary hormone used in Retatrutide, and it is produced by the alpha cells in the pancreas. Glucagon is responsible for influencing two properties of blood glucose. Glucagon can trigger the liver to produce glucose through the breaking down of sugar stored within the body. Sugar can be largely found within fat, so the breaking down of this can lead to weight loss.

All three of these hormones have a knock-on effect on gastric emptying. When gastric emptying is slowed, a feeling of fullness remains for a prolonged period of time. This makes you feel less hungry and ultimately aids in your weight loss journey through a reduction of portion size. 

How effective is Retatrutide for weight loss?

Retatrutide is still in testing, however, the clinical trials that it has participated in have proven beneficial to patients needing this medicine for weight loss.

A group of 338 participants were split into two test groups. One control group was given doses of Retatrutide from 1mg to 12mg, while the other group were given a placebo. The participants were monitored for 48 weeks. Patients who had taken doses of Retatrutide from 4mg to 8mg had experienced 12.9% - 17.3% weight loss and individuals who had taken the highest dose, 12mg, had lost 24% of their body weight after the 48 week period. Compared to the placebo group, who had only lost 2% of their weight. 

Retatrutide shows great promise in helping patients reduce a high percentage of body weight over time. 

Who can use Retatrutide?

Retatrutide is aimed at patients who are obese. This means that the patient will need to have a BMI of  30 or above or patients who are having any debilitating health issues that can impact their weight, will need to have a BMI of 28 or above. 

What are the side effects of Retratrutide?

Like other GLP-1 medicines, Retatrutide is prone to inducing side effects within the gastrointestinal system. 

In Phase II of Retatrutide’s clinical trials, patients in the drugs control group purported the following: 

• Nausea/Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation 

When will Retatrutide be available in the UK?

As Retatrutide is still in its testing period, we cannot say when Retatrutide will be available to buy in the UK. When this does become available, you can find out if you are eligible to buy Retatrutide online with us. Just fill in a simple, bespoke questionnaire about your journey with weight loss as well as some medical health questions, and we can see what treatment will work best for you.

Alternative weight loss Treatments:

As retatrutide is still not available in the UK, you can look for other alternative medications which is used for weight loss treatment in obesity patients with health conditions.