What is Retatrutide?
Retatrutide is a multi-receptor peptide agonist studied in metabolic research. It activates GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors; receptor activity and clinical outcomes are separate questions. “GLP-3” is not a receptor, and GLP-2 is a different target that this compound is not described as acting on.
Key concepts: GLP-1 receptor · GIP receptor · Glucagon receptor · Endpoint
How it works and what researchers study
Metabolic research of this kind uses randomized, placebo-controlled trials with defined populations and durations, measuring body-weight endpoints together with adverse events such as gastrointestinal symptoms and heart-rate changes.
What the evidence shows
A 2023 phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 338 adults over 48 weeks reported lower body-weight outcomes in the study arms, along with gastrointestinal adverse events and heart-rate increases.
Limits of the evidence
- That report is explicitly a 2023 phase 2 trial; it is not a statement about the current stage of any development programme.
- We make no Canadian authorization claim. Authorization must be checked in the current Health Canada Drug Product Database record.
- Trials study a specific manufactured medicine. This laboratory research vial is not that product.
References
- Jastreboff AM et al. Triple-hormone-receptor agonist retatrutide for obesity — a phase 2 trial. N Engl J Med. 2023. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2301972 View source
- Health Canada. Drug Product Database: the official list of drug products authorized for sale in Canada. View source





