Retatrutide vs. Ozempic: how do they compare?

Ozempic (semaglutide) and retatrutide are both medications that cause weight loss, but they're at very different stages of development and approval. Retatrutide is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any indication, including weight loss. Ozempic is FDA-approved for conditions other than weight loss. These drugs also work a bit differently and are intended to treat different health conditions.

Below, find everything you need to know about retatrutide vs Ozempic.

Whether retatrutide or Ozempic is better may depend on your reason for using the drug. 

More importantly, retatrutide isn't approved or available yet. Ozempic, on the other hand, is a well-established prescription medication approved by the FDA and available as a daily pill or a weekly injection. Plus, there has been no head-to-head study on Ozempic vs. retatrutide.

Here's what the most recent clinical trials show about retatrutide vs. Ozempic for weight loss or diabetes:

For weight loss: Retatrutide shows promise for nearly double the weight loss as semaglutide, Ozempic's active ingredient. But neither is approved for weight loss and management. Retatrutide is still being studied, and using Ozempic for weight loss is off-label. (Wegovy is the version of semaglutide indicated for weight loss.)  

For diabetes: Ozempic comes out ahead because it's actually approved for diabetes management. But retatrutide’s phase 2 trial showed meaningful blood sugar reductions in people with type 2 diabetes. Meaning, retatrutide may become a viable option if it is approved.

For cardiovascular risk reduction: Ozempic is also currently approved and available for this indication. Retatrutide is being studied for cardiovascular risk reduction, too, but research is ongoing — and again, retatrutide is not yet approved or available to the public.

Check for free

Retatrutide and Ozempic are both weekly GLP-1 injections. Ozempic is also available as a daily pill.

Retatrutide and Ozempic differ in how they work and in their development stages. Retatrutide is still being studied, while Ozempic has been FDA-approved for diabetes, cardiovascular risk, and kidney decline.

* Retatrutide dosing shown here reflects doses studied in clinical trials. Because retatrutide is still investigational (and not FDA-approved), dosing has not been finalized for clinical use. Any approved schedule would be determined during FDA review.

** Ozempic is not approved for weight loss. Weight loss percentage shown here is from clinical trials of semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy), which has the same active ingredient as Ozempic. 

Separate clinical trials suggest that both retatrutide and Ozempic can drive significant weight loss, and early data indicate retatrutide may lead to a greater average reduction in body weight.

The details on retatrutide weight loss:

• In a phase 3 clinical trial of adults with a high BMI and knee osteoarthritis, those on 12 mg retatrutide injections lost an average of 28.7% of their body weight at 68 weeks. Meaning, someone starting at 250 pounds could drop about 72 pounds.

• In a phase 2 trial of adults with obesity or overweight and one weight-related condition, those taking 12 mg of retatrutide lost an average of 24.2% of their body weight at 48 weeks.

• In a phase 2 clinical trial for type 2 diabetes, those taking 12 mg of retatrutide lost an average of 17% of their body weight in 36 weeks (roughly eight months).

The most significant weight loss in clinical trials of Ozempic's active ingredient came from doses exceeding Ozempic's maximum approved doses — 2 mg injected once weekly or 9 mg taken by mouth once daily.

• In a phase 3 clinical trial of people with obesity or overweight and one weight-related condition, people taking 2.4 mg injectable semaglutide once weekly lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight at 68 weeks.

• In another clinical trial of people with overweight or obesity, those taking 25 mg of oral semaglutide lost an average of 13.6% of their body weight in 64 weeks.

• In a clinical trial of people with type 2 diabetes, those on 2.4 mg weekly semaglutide injections lost an average of 9.6% of their body weight in 68 weeks.

• In a phase 3 clinical trial for obesity, people taking the Wegovy HD 7.2 mg weekly semaglutide injection lost an average of 18.7% of their body weight in 72 weeks.

Important note: The results above don't come from head-to-head comparisons of retatrutide vs Ozempic. Each clinical trial had different participants and different study designs. Individual weight loss results will vary.

Both retatrutide and Ozempic work by mimicking hormones that control hunger and blood sugar. But Ozempic targets just one hormone, while retatrutide targets three. (For reference, tirzepatide medications such as Zepbound and Mounjaro target two.)

How retatrutide works

Retatrutide mimics GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon—three naturally occurring hormones that play a role in appetite, blood sugar control, and thermogenesis (heat generation that can lead to fat burning). By targeting three hormone receptors at once, retatrutide seems to have a more significant effect than medications that target just one, such as Ozempic.

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1): This peptide supports weight loss by quieting food noise and slowing digestion (helping people feel full longer). It also boosts insulin production, which helps regulate blood sugar. 

GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide): Dual-action GLP-1/GIP agonists such as retatrutide or tirzepatide also slow digestion and stimulate insulin release. This may help reduce insulin resistance, a condition closely linked to obesity.

Glucagon: Animal studies have shown that this hormone can raise the body's metabolic rate and fat-burning capacity. 

How Ozempic works 

Ozempic contains semaglutide, a single-hormone receptor agonist. It mimics GLP-1, which helps reduce appetite, slow digestion, and increase insulin production. Ultimately, Ozempic works for diabetes by regulating blood sugar and for weight loss by reducing cravings and helping people feel satisfied for longer after eating.

Current data suggest that Ozempic and retatrutide have similar side effect profiles. Both cause gastrointestinal symptoms that improve as your body adjusts to the  medication.

Retatrutide side effects 

Commonly reported retatrutide side effects in clinical trials include:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

Other side effects may include:​

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Abdominal pain

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Belching

• Dysesthesia (skin sensitivity)

Retatrutide's full safety profile is still developing as the medication is being investigated.

Get started

Ozempic side effects

Ozempic side effects include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Abdominal pain

• Acid reflux

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Injection site reactions (for the pen)

Ozempic is generally safe, but the drug label outlines rare but serious side effects such as pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, hypoglycemia, and allergic reactions.

Like other GLP-1s, Ozempic has an FDA boxed warning about a possible risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. The warning is based on animal studies, with an unknown risk to humans. Ozempic isn't recommended for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2).

Both retatrutide and Ozempic follow a gradual dose escalation schedule. A healthcare provider will prescribe a low starting dose, then slowly increase it as the body adjusts to the medication.​

Here is the head-to-head comparison of dosage for retatrutide vs. Ozempic injections or pills.

* Retatrutide dosing shown here reflects doses studied in clinical trials. Because retatrutide is still investigational (not FDA-approved), dosing has not been finalized for clinical use. Any approved schedule would be determined during FDA review.

The Ozempic dosing schedule is established by FDA-approved prescribing labels for the injection or pill. Retatrutide dosing hasn't been finalized for clinical use. The final dosing protocol for retatrutide will be determined if and when it's approved by the FDA.

It's unclear how the cost of Ozempic vs. retatrutide will shake out because retatrutide has not yet received FDA approval.

Here's what we know about retatrutide availability and costs:

• Retatrutide is not yet available because it hasn't received FDA approval. 

• Any site or service claiming to sell retatrutide online is doing so illegally and is likely selling counterfeit medication.

• The cost of retatrutide isn't known — it will be determined if it's approved.

• You might be able to get retatrutide at no cost for a limited time if you participate in a clinical trial. But there are no guarantees that if you do sign up for a trial, you’ll receive the drug vs. a placebo. 

And Ozempic cost and availability:

• Ozempic is available with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.

• Ozempic has a list price of $1,027.51 per month.

• If your insurance covers Ozempic, you may be eligible for the manufacturer offer of $25 for up to a three-month prescription.

• Cash payers can get Ozempic on Ro for a cash price of $900–$1,100 per month.

Right now, there's only one real option: Ozempic. That's because Ozempic is the only one of the two that is FDA-approved and commercially available (with a prescription).

Retatrutide may become available—possibly even soon—but for now, it doesn't have FDA approval. 

Anyone interested in a GLP-1 for weight loss, diabetes management, or cardiovascular risk should talk to their healthcare provider. They can determine if Ozempic or another GLP-1 is right for you based on your health conditions and health goals. 

See if you qualify

Both Ozempic and retatrutide target specific hormone receptors. Current evidence indicates that they both regulate blood sugar and promote weight loss.

Here's what to know about how retatrutide compares with semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic:

• Retatrutide is still being researched. Retatrutide is a triple-hormone-receptor-agonist with promising clinical trial results for weight loss and blood sugar management. But it is not currently FDA-approved or available outside of clinical trials.

• Ozempic is an FDA-approved drug for diabetes and more. Ozempic is FDA-approved for blood sugar management in type 2 diabetes, plus cardiovascular and kidney decline risk reduction.

• There have been no head-to-head studies on retatrutide vs Ozempic. Separate trial data suggest that retatrutide might produce more average weight loss and HbA1C reduction — but it's important to understand that there have been no direct comparisons.

• Side effects of Ozempic vs retatrutide seem similar. Both medications have caused gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and constipation, especially at higher doses.

• We don't yet know how the costs of retatrutide and Ozempic will compare. The cash price of Ozempic can vary based on insurance, and retatrutide is not yet commercially available.

Curious about more FDA-approved GLP-1 medications like Ozempic? If you're looking for an approved weight loss medication, ask your healthcare provider about Zepbound or Wegovy.