Retatrutide vs Tirzepatide
Retatrutide: Triple GIP / GLP-1 / glucagon receptor agonist. Tirzepatide: Dual GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonist. Per milligram, Tirzepatide is cheaper right now ($0.350 vs $0.230 at the cheapest tested vendor). Prices per mg compare cost, not effect: the amounts used in studies differ between compounds.
Retatrutide
Adds glucagon-receptor activity, which raises energy expenditure, on top of the two incretin receptors. Phase 2 trials reported the largest average weight loss of any drug in its class so far.
- What it is
- Triple GIP / GLP-1 / glucagon receptor agonist
- Category
- GLP-1 & metabolic
- Status
- Investigational (Eli Lilly, Phase 3 trials). Not approved anywhere.
- Cheapest
- $0.350 per mg (Shanghai Wibson Biotechnology WBS)
- Median price
- $2.92 per mg
- Vendors
- 98 independently tested, 53 with a lab report
- Research
- Grade A: Strong human evidence (7 papers)
- Studied as
- studied in people
- Reported side effects
- Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation (dose-related, mostly mild-moderate); Increased heart rate; Hypersensitivity reactions (non-severe); Discontinuation due to adverse events
Tirzepatide
Activates both the GIP and GLP-1 incretin receptors, lowering blood sugar and appetite. In trials it produced more weight loss on average than GLP-1-only drugs.
- What it is
- Dual GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Category
- GLP-1 & metabolic
- Status
- FDA-approved as Mounjaro (type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (weight management, obstructive sleep apnea).
- Cheapest
- $0.230 per mg (Andy Peps Studio)
- Median price
- $1.68 per mg
- Vendors
- 92 independently tested, 45 with a lab report
- Research
- Grade A: Strong human evidence (8 papers)
- Studied as
- an approved drug
- Reported side effects
- Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and other GI events (mostly mild-moderate, during dose escalation); Discontinuation due to adverse events; Serious adverse events; Hypoglycemia (in type 2 diabetes)
Questions people ask
What is the difference between Retatrutide and Tirzepatide?
Retatrutide: Triple GIP / GLP-1 / glucagon receptor agonist. Tirzepatide: Dual GIP / GLP-1 receptor agonist. Per milligram, Tirzepatide is cheaper right now ($0.350 vs $0.230 at the cheapest tested vendor). Prices per mg compare cost, not effect: the amounts used in studies differ between compounds.
Which is cheaper, Retatrutide or Tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is cheaper per mg: $0.350 for Retatrutide vs $0.230 for Tirzepatide at the cheapest independently tested vendor.