Is Retatrutide Better Than Ozempic? A Comparison of Results, Safety and How They Work

Retatrutide is one of the most promising next generation weight loss treatments currently in development, and many people are asking how it compares to Ozempic one of the most widely recognised weight loss medicines, although no longer used, but an inital ground breaking medicine.

At the moment, Retatrutide is still in clinical trials and is not yet licensed anywhere in the world. Ozempic, by contrast, is already an approved medication used primarily for type 2 diabetes and sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss in certain regions (with Wegovy being the licensed weight loss brand of semaglutide in the UK).

This article explains how the two medicines differ, what clinical studies show so far, and why it is still too early to say whether Retatrutide is “better” than Ozempic.

How Do Retatrutide and Ozempic Work?

Although both medicines affect appetite and metabolic regulation, they work in different ways.

Ozempic: GLP-1 Agonist

Ozempic (semaglutide) works by activating GLP-1 receptors, which helps:

• Reduce appetite and food cravings

• Slow gastric emptying

• Improve blood sugar control

• Support gradual weight reduction in many patients

It belongs to the same medicine class as Wegovy, although the licensed indications differ.

Retatrutide: Triple Agonist Treatment (In Development)

Retatrutide activates three hormone pathways:

• GLP-1

• GIP

• Glucagon

This is why it is often described as a triple agonist.

The combination appears to enhance:

• Appetite reduction

• Metabolic regulation

• Fat burning and energy expenditure

Because of this triple mechanism, researchers believe Retatrutide may be able to produce greater average weight loss than single pathway medicines, but research is still ongoing.

Weight Loss Results: How Do They Compare?

Ozempic (Semaglutide)

Clinical trials for semaglutide show average weight loss of around:

• 10–15% of body weight over 68 weeks (depending on dose, adherence and lifestyle factors)

Results vary significantly from person to person.

Retatrutide

In Phase 2 trials, Retatrutide produced:

• Up to 24.2% weight loss after 48 weeks at higher doses

• Strong dose dependent responses across study groups

A proportion of participants lost 15% or more of their body weight, particularly at the upper dose ranges.

These are some of the most significant results ever reported in obesity drug research, however, they are still trial findings.

Does This Mean Retatrutide Is “Better” Than Ozempic?

At this stage, it is too early to say.

Although Retatrutide has shown greater weight loss percentages in clinical trials, we must also consider:

• Long term safety data is still being collected

• Phase 3 studies are ongoing

• Real world outcomes may differ from research environments

• It is not yet approved or available in the UK (or elsewhere)

Ozempic is an established and licensed medication with many years of safety data, whereas Retatrutide is still investigational.

Side Effects and Tolerability

Ozempic Side Effects

Common effects may include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Bloating or reflux

• Diarrhoea or constipation

Most occur during dose escalation and improve over time.

Retatrutide Side Effects

Early trials suggest a similar side effect profile, with:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms

• Appetite suppression

• Possible increased monitoring needs due to stronger weight-loss effects

Because Retatrutide activates an additional glucagon pathway, researchers are continuing to study its influence on long term tolerability and metabolic effects.

More data is required before safety comparisons can be fully established.

Which Medication Can Patients Access Today?

• Ozempic and Wegovy are already licensed under defined clinical pathways

• Retatrutide is not currently available on the NHS or privately

• It can only be accessed inside regulated clinical trials

Any website or seller claiming to supply “Retatrutide injections” at present is not legitimate and should be avoided.

A Promising Future Medicine, but Not Yet a Replacement

Retatrutide appears to represent the next step forward in obesity treatment research, with early results suggesting potentially greater average weight loss than with Ozempic in controlled trials.

However:

• It is still under investigation

• Long term data is not yet complete

• Approval and availability are not guaranteed

For now, Ozempic and other licensed treatments remain the established clinical options in the UK.

We will continue monitoring Retatrutide research closely as new evidence emerges.