semaglutide vs retatrutide
updated
semaglutide (tier S) vs retatrutide (tier S): what each is, half-life and source counts side by side.
the difference
checked
a ClinicalTrials.gov search on October 24, 2026 found two registered randomized trials of retatrutide with a semaglutide arm, both in type 2 diabetes: the phase 3 TRANSCEND-T2D-2 (NCT06260722), which lists August 27, 2026 as its primary completion date, and a phase 1 study of insulin secretion (NCT06982859); neither had posted results.
- ClinicalTrials.gov search: retatrutide and semaglutide (October 24, 2026)
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06260722, TRANSCEND-T2D-2
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06982859
a PubMed search the same day found no publication from either.
a Drugs@FDA search on October 24, 2026 found no FDA approval for retatrutide.
semaglutide is FDA-approved as Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes, including lowering cardiovascular risk in adults with established cardiovascular disease (Ozempic injection) or at high risk (Rybelsus tablets), and as Wegovy for long-term weight reduction and to lower cardiovascular risk in adults with established cardiovascular disease and obesity or overweight.
- Ozempic injection prescribing information, DailyMed (revised 5/2026)
- Rybelsus and Ozempic tablets prescribing information, DailyMed (revised 1/2026)
- Wegovy prescribing information, DailyMed (revised 6/2026)
semaglutide · tier S
A GLP-1 receptor agonist with current US injection and oral products for distinct labeled uses.
tier rationale
The S tier reflects large randomized trials showing weight-loss, cardiovascular, and kidney benefits in the studied populations, plus positive biopsy outcomes in a planned phase 3 liver-disease interim analysis.
retatrutide · tier S
the most potent weight loss drug ever tested. 24.2% in phase 2, then 28.3% in TRIUMPH-1 phase 3, 30.3% at two years. not approved yet.
tier rationale
now that the pivotal phase 3 obesity trial has read out (TRIUMPH-1: 28.3% weight loss at 12mg over 80 weeks, 30.3% at two years), reta has the strongest published obesity-drug efficacy in the catalog. Bariatric-surgery territory from a weekly shot. triple receptor mechanism adds glucagon agonism on top of tirz's dual mechanism, which pushes lipolysis and energy expenditure. S-tier based on phase 3 efficacy, but with meaningful open questions on safety and no announced approval date.
at a glance
| semaglutide | retatrutide | |
|---|---|---|
| tier | S | S |
| category | weight loss | weight loss |
| sources | 16 | 27 |
| claims evaluated | n/a | 8 |
| half-life | ~1 week | ~6 days |
| dosing data | yes | yes |
reptides grades the research record and cites the literature behind every call. research reference only; not medical advice.