How to get retatrutide

Retatrutide is an experimental medication currently being developed for weight loss by Eli Lilly. In clinical trials, it produced an average weight loss of up to 24% in one year. Since it’s still under development, the only way to get retatrutide is through a clinical trial.

Below, we’ll walk you through how to find a clinical trial for retatrutide, along with alternative options for weight loss that are already available.

Retatrutide is not yet available. If the clinical trials continue to have positive results, Eli Lilly could apply for US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as soon as 2026. Until then, the only way to get it is through a clinical trial. 

Here’s how to get retatrutide by signing up for a clinical trial:

Get started

Step 1: Search for active retatrutide trials 

You can find active clinical trials for retatrutide on ClinicalTrials.gov. 

1. Go to the ClinicalTrials.gov homepage.

2. Under “Intervention/treatment,” start typing “Retatrutide” and select it from the drop-down menu.

3. Enter your location (this step is optional; you can also see locations on the search results page).

4. Under “Study Status,” select "Recruiting and not yet recruiting studies.” This ensures you only see studies that are actively looking for participants.

5. Click “Search.”

Step 2: Review the search results to find specific trial(s) you could join

As you click through the search results, you’ll notice that the trials all have specific eligibility requirements. These may include:

• Location: You’ll need to be close enough to one of the study locations for the initial screening and check-ins throughout the trial. 

• Inclusion criteria: Retatrutide trials for weight loss usually look for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or above, who have previously tried to lose weight by changing their eating habits. (You can calculate your BMI here.) They may also be looking for people with specific health conditions, such as kidney or heart disease. 

• Exclusion criteria: Some people may not be eligible to join certain trials if they take certain medications or have certain health conditions or risk factors.

Carefully review all of the Eligibility Criteria for any trial to confirm you may be a good fit, as well as the Study Plan to understand the study duration and the number of required in-person visits. If you meet the criteria and are available, move on to Step 3.

Find out how much you could lose

Provide your biometric data to get started.

HeightFeet

HeightInches

Weightlbs

Calculate

0.0

Your BMI

Underweight

< 18.5

Healthy weight

18.5 - 24.9

Overweight

24.9 - 29.9

Obesity

> 30

Step 3: Apply to be in a retatrutide trial(s)

Under Contacts and Locations, you’ll see who to contact about joining the study — usually both a phone number and an email address are provided. If you meet the eligibility requirements, the contact will walk you through the next steps for the screening process, which typically includes:

• A review of your medical history, physical exam, and/or lab testing to confirm eligibility

• An informed consent process outlining the potential risks and benefits, after which you’ll sign documentation confirming that you understand them

Participating in a clinical trial is the only way to get retatrutide right now, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind:

• The side effects and risks are not fully known. The point of a clinical trial is not only to assess whether a medication is effective, but also whether it is safe. Researchers may have some idea of the risks and side effects from animal studies and early-phase human studies, but they won’t have the full picture until larger studies are conducted in humans. 

• You may not receive retatrutide. Most studies compare the medication against a placebo and are often double-blind, meaning neither you nor the study team know who is receiving retatrutide and who is receiving a placebo. In clinical trials, participants taking a placebo lost around 2% of their body weight, compared to the 24% lost by those taking retatrutide. 

The potential downsides of a clinical trial (unknown risks, 50/50 chance of getting a placebo) may not make it worth it — especially if retatrutide gets approved in 2026. In the meantime, here are some proven alternatives for weight loss that are already available.

FDA–approved GLP-1 medications 

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide are among the most effective options for weight loss available today. Some are specifically FDA-approved for weight loss, while others are approved for other conditions but commonly prescribed off-label for weight loss. 

GLP-1 medications work in part by slowing digestion, increasing feelings of fullness, regulating blood sugar, and reducing appetite. 

Semaglutide medications include:

• Wegovy, which is approved for weight loss (and other conditions) as a once-weekly injection or daily pill. It produces an average weight loss of up to 15% in 68 weeks. 

• Ozempic, which is approved for type 2 diabetes (and other conditions) as a once-weekly injection, will soon be available as a daily pill. It comes in lower dosage strengths than Wegovy and typically produces less weight loss.

Tirzepatide medications include:

• Zepbound, which is approved for weight loss and obstructive sleep apnea as a once-weekly injection. It produces an average weight loss of up to 21% in 72 weeks.

• Mounjaro, which is approved for type 2 diabetes as a once-weekly injection. It comes in the same dosage strengths as Zepbound and produces similar weight loss results.

In April 2026, the FDA approved Foundayo (orforglipron), a new oral GLP-1 medication developed by Eli Lilly for weight loss. In clinical trials, the daily pill produced an average weight loss of up to 13%.

Prescription weight loss pills 

There are also non-GLP-1 prescription weight loss pills. These typically produce less weight loss than GLP-1 medications and are taken one to three times daily. 

• Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate), which works in part by suppressing appetite in the brain. It produces an average weight loss of up to 11% in one year.

• Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion), which works in part by suppressing appetite. It produces an average weight loss of about 6% in one year.

• Xenical (orlistat), which works in part by decreasing the amount of fat absorbed from food. It produces an average weight loss of about 5%. It’s also available in lower dosage strengths as over-the-counter Alli.

Lifestyle changes 

Most weight loss medications work best when combined with lifestyle changes such as changes to eating habits and regular exercise. These approaches can also support weight loss on their own, without medication.

• Eating habits for weight loss: Experts recommend a reduced-calorie diet that’s high in fiber and protein, such as the Mediterranean diet. Typically, experts recommend eating about 500–750 fewer calories daily than usual.

• Exercise for weight loss: If you’re not very active, experts recommend 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week, plus two strength training sessions. You can gradually increase to up to 300 minutes per week. Moving in general — such as taking the stairs or adding a 10-minute walk break during your workday — can also help.

• Weight loss tracking: Research suggests that regular tracking helps people stay motivated and reach their weight loss goals. You can use a smartphone app, smartwatch, or paper journal to monitor your calories, physical activity, and body weight or measurements.

See if you qualify

Clinical trials suggest retatrutide could be a promising new option for weight loss, but it’s not yet available. 

• Currently, the only way to get retatrutide is to apply for and be accepted into a clinical trial, which you can do through ClinicalTrials.gov. 

• Even if you are accepted into a clinical trial, there’s no guarantee you will receive retatrutide rather than a placebo.

• Until retatrutide is approved — if it is — proven alternatives for weight loss include GLP-1 medications, prescription weight loss pills, and lifestyle adjustments such as changes to your eating habits, exercise, and weight loss tracking.