Liraglutide vs Retatrutide
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
GLP-1 / Weight Loss AgonistsFat Loss & Metabolic
LiraglutideGLP-1 / Weight Loss Agonists
Retatrutide- Summary
- Liraglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and chronic weight management (Saxenda). It reduces appetite, slows gastric emptying, improves insulin secretion, and promotes weight loss of 5–10% in clinical trials.
- Retatrutide is an investigational triple receptor agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors simultaneously. Phase 2 trials showed an unprecedented average 24% body weight reduction at 48 weeks — exceeding any approved medication to date. It is in Phase 3 trials as of 2024.
- Half-Life
- ~13 hours (once-daily dosing)
- ~10–12 days
- Admin Route
- SubQ
- SubQ
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- Start 0.6 mg, titrate to 3 mg
- 0.5 mg → 1 mg → 2 mg → 4 mg → 8 mg → 12 mg
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Once weekly
- Key Benefits
- Promotes weight loss (5–10% average)
- Reduces appetite and caloric intake
- Improves blood glucose control (HbA1c reduction)
- Reduces cardiovascular events in T2DM (LEADER trial)
- Slows gastric emptying
- FDA-approved for T2DM and chronic weight management
- Cardioprotective effects shown in clinical trials
- May improve fatty liver (NAFLD/NASH)
- ~24% body weight reduction at 48 weeks in Phase 2 (highest dose)
- Superior to both semaglutide and tirzepatide in early trial comparisons
- Triple receptor mechanism addresses multiple obesity pathways
- Significant reduction in liver fat (MASH/NAFLD indication being studied)
- Improved cardiovascular and metabolic markers
- Once-weekly dosing
- Potential for greatest weight loss of any currently investigated compound
- Side Effects
- Nausea (very common, especially initially)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Decreased appetite
- +5 more
- Nausea and vomiting (common during titration, similar to semaglutide/tirzepatide)
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Heart rate increase (from glucagon receptor agonism)
- +2 more
- Stacks With
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