How To Get Retatrutide with a Clinical Trial

In the world of weight-loss medications, there’s a new one—retatrutide—that could be a game-changer in treating obesity and morbid obesity and improving blood sugar levels. Here’s how it’s different from previous meds: Retatrutide is a triple agonist, meaning it targets three different hormone receptors, rather than one (like Ozempic) or two (like Mounjaro or Zepbound). 

With this triple action, early trials have shown, this GLP-3 to be even more effective than the currently available weight-loss medications. And recent findings show that participants on the highest dose of retatrutide lost an average of 28.7% of their body weight over 68 weeks. This is double the percent body weight loss seen with Ozempic and Wegovy. 

While we anticipate retatrutide being a strong option for many people seeking weight loss, it may be particularly useful for anyone who falls into one or more of these categories:

• Didn’t respond to earlier GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus, Liraglutide, Zepbound, Mounjaro, etc
• Plateaued with other GLP-1s but still haven’t met your target weight
• Have a large body percentage of weight to lose (20% or more)

Retatrutide is currently undergoing clinical trials necessary for it to obtain FDA approval (which is anticipated by summer), so it's not yet available to be prescribed. But if you go online today, you’ll find some online pharmacies already selling it even though it’s technically not approved for use outside of clinical trials. Read on for more on what that means, how clinical trials work, who may qualify, and what to do if a trial isn’t an option for you (spoiler alert: you have options!).

What Is Retatrutide?

Similar to other GLP-1 medications, retatrutide is an injectable medication that targets hormone receptors in your body that directly impact metabolism and appetite. Retatrutide targets three different receptors: 

• GLP-1 (helps regulate appetite and blood sugar)
• GIP (supports insulin response)
• Glucagon (affects energy use and fat metabolism)

By targeting all three, the medication delays how fast your stomach digests food, lowers your appetite, and ultimately reduces how much food you eat. This can lead to numerous improvements in health, including: 

• Weight loss
• Improved glycemic control (a.k.a. how well your blood sugar is managed)
• Lower blood pressure
• Better liver and kidney health

But retatrutide does still carry the risk for side effects that most in this category do, most commonly GI issues like nausea, constipation, or vomiting. While higher doses of retatrutide are linked to more weight loss, dosing is titrated up over time, just like with other injectables. When retatrutide does become available, we suspect the guidance will be the same “low and slow” approach to upping doses.

How to Get Retatrutide With a Clinical Trial

Retatrutide phase 3 trials are winding up in 2026 with trial results that will lead to the anticipated FDA approval by summer 2026. As a result, retatrutide is only legally available through clinical trials. It cannot be prescribed by a clinician, dispensed by a pharmacy, or legally sold online. Any website or individual claiming to sell retatrutide outside of a trial is not offering a legitimate product.

How to Find Clinical Trials for Retatrutide

Clinicaltrials.gov is one of the best places to look for clinical trials on retatrutide. The site is a longstanding, government-run database of human clinical trials that are being run worldwide. 

You’ll be able to find clinical trials at all different phases, including:

• New, not yet recruiting
• Active, recruiting
• Active, not recruiting
• Completed

One thing to keep in mind: Clinicaltrials.gov is maintained by The National Library of Medicine (NLM), but the government doesn’t review or approve the safety of the clinical trials. 

That’s why it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional, like a Midi clinician, before applying to enroll in a study to make sure it’s a safe option for your wellness journey. For instance, those with GI disease, a history of gallbladder disease, a high risk for pancreatitis, or kidney and liver issues would likely be advised not to take retatrutide.  

You should also go over all medications you currently take, such as glucose-lowering diabetes medications, blood pressure or thyroid meds, or anticoagulants. Retatrutide slows the emptying of your stomach, so it can affect how certain oral medications are absorbed.

To find out how to get retatrutide with a clinical trial, follow these steps:

Step 1: Search for Active Retatrutide Trials

The best place to start is a reputable clinical trial registry, like clinicaltrials.gov. When searching, use terms like:

• Retatrutide
• Retatrutide weight loss
• Triple-agonist obesity trial
• Investigational metabolic drug study

From there, you’ll see a list of results. Filter for trials that are recruiting or enrolling. And keep an eye on ones that are not yet recruiting, as you may be a candidate for them in the future.

Step 2: Review the Trial Details Carefully

Not surprisingly, criteria for clinical trials can be very specific. Before applying, you’ll want to take note of any of the following to make sure the study makes sense for you, your health history, and your lifestyle. Pay close attention to:

• Inclusion and exclusion criteria
• Location (some trials require in-person visits)
• Frequency of check ins
• Study design, like whether the study is randomized and placebo-controlled (a placebo-controlled trial means not everyone receives the medication, which is an important consideration)
• Study duration (if you’re in the placebo group, this is how long without treatment, too!)

For instance, some retatrutide clinical trials are only enrolling people with obesity, which means you must be above a certain BMI to qualify. Other studies may be looking at retatrutide’s benefits beyond just weight and may need patients with other health conditions, like kidney disease or Type 2 diabetes.

Step 3: Apply and Complete Screening

When you find a trial that you think is right for you, you’ll need to reach out to the sponsor listed on the trial. There’s usually contact information available. If you’re having trouble figuring out who to call or email, your current healthcare provider may be able to help you get enrolled. 

If you do apply, you’ll typically go through:

• A medical history review
• Lab work and vital signs
• A consent process explaining risks and benefits

This is your opportunity to ask questions and decide if participation feels right for you. 

Risks Associated With Participating in a Retatrutide Clinical Trial

The risks for participating in a retatrutide clinical trial are the same for any clinical trial. Because the medication is still being studied, there will always be known and unknown risks. In current clinical trials, retatrutide side effects have been mild to moderate and most often included:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation

As noted above, in many of these randomized trials there is a chance that you will be receiving a placebo, so no active drug at all. So if you are feeling a sense of urgency or firmly want to get started, the risk of delaying other effective treatments (see below) until the duration of the study is completed may not be worth it. 

Other side effects included decreased appetite and fatigue. Side effects happened more often when people went up in their dose or were at a higher dose—but even then, the impact tended to be in that mild to moderate range.

Before enrolling, you’ll receive detailed information through an informed consent process so you can weigh all the pros and cons of participating first. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions and get a second opinion on joining. 

Why Retatrutide May Help With Menopausal Weight Gain

For many women, weight gain is one of the most frustrating changes during perimenopause and menopause—especially as hormones shift and metabolism slows. As estrogen levels decline, women may burn 250–300 fewer calories per day, making weight gain easier and weight loss harder.

Menopause is also linked to increased belly fat (aka meno belly), which carries greater health risks. Lower estrogen, reduced activity over time, and menopause-related sleep disruption often work together to drive steady weight gain—about 1.5 pounds per year on average after menopause. Excess abdominal fat is associated with higher inflammation and increased risk of insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease, which is why many menopausal women consider GLP-1 medications as part of a broader, clinician-guided weight management plan.

Working with a healthcare professional who understands your hormone needs is important. Any approach to sustained weight loss should be multifaceted, encompassing various elements that contribute to your overall well-being. So while diet and exercise are important, so is addressing hormones, reducing stress, and prioritizing sleep.

Retatrutide Alternatives for Weight Loss

If you don’t qualify for a retatrutide clinical trial or aren’t chosen to participate, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. In fact, there are several evidence-based weight loss treatments available right now, many with strong clinical data and real-world use behind them. For many people, these options can be effective and more accessible while newer medications like retatrutide are still being studied.

And for those successfully using a currently available GLP-1 with success, there is no clinical reason to switch to retatrutide via a clinical trial right now. You also don’t need to enroll in a retatrutide clinical trial if you are seeking more modest weight loss to optimize your health. Other GLP-1 drugs can do the trick. 

FDA-approved GLP-1 medications available now

Medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide are already FDA-approved and widely prescribed for weight loss and metabolic health. Research shows these medications can lead to roughly 10–22% average body weight loss over about one year, depending on the medication and dose. They work by:

•  reducing appetite
• increasing feelings of fullness
• improving blood sugar regulation

Because they’re FDA-approved, clinicians have a much clearer understanding of appropriate dosing, common side effects, and long-term safety compared to investigational drugs like retatrutide.  

Common FDA-approved options include:

Semaglutide 

• Wegovy (FDA-approved for weight loss)
• Ozempic (FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes; often used off-label for weight loss)

Tirzepatide

• Zepbound (FDA-approved for weight loss)
• Mounjaro (FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes; sometimes used off-label for weight loss)

These medications—all available as injectables, tablets, or oral drops—are accessible today through a clinician and may be a strong option for people who don’t qualify for or don’t want to wait to get retatrutide with a clinical trial.

Non-GLP-1 evidence-based weight and metabolic treatments

Weight gain—especially in midlife—is rarely just about willpower. Hormones, insulin resistance, medications, and stress all play a role. Depending on your health history, a clinician may consider options like:

• Hormone therapy (HRT): HRT is not technically a weight loss drug, but it can help you feel better by improving your sleep, mood, and joint pain, which can, in turn, help you stick with healthy habits like exercising and eating well. HRT has also been shown to help reduce belly fat brought on by the hormonal changes that happen during menopause.
• Metformin: This prescription medication has a long and well-researched history of not only managing insulin resistance and age-related weight gain, but reducing inflammation, improving symptoms of menopause (such as fatigue), and even promoting longevity. 
• Contrave: This non-GLP-1 medication works on appetite and reward pathways and has been shown to help quiet food noise. 

Not everyone needs or tolerates a GLP-1. And weight gain is often driven by multiple factors: hormones, insulin resistance, medications, sleep deprivation, stress, and muscle loss. For many people, non-GLP-1 medications, alone or in combination, can produce meaningful, sustainable results when chosen thoughtfully.

Holistic Approaches

Medications work best when they’re paired with foundational care. Chronic sleep deprivation, unmanaged stress, and the wrong type of exercise for your body can actively block weight loss, even on medication. Evidence shows that:

• Improving sleep can lower hunger hormones and cortisol
• Stress management can reduce abdominal fat accumulation
• Strength training helps preserve muscle and boosts metabolic rate over time

Targeted supplements may also play a supportive role, especially when they address common barriers to weight loss in midlife. For example, supplements that support sleep quality, stress response, blood sugar balance, or muscle health may help make weight loss efforts more effective and sustainable—particularly when used alongside clinician-guided treatment.

These approaches may not sound flashy, but they’re often what separates short-term weight loss from results that actually last. When the foundation is strong, medications and supplements are more likely to work the way they’re intended to.

The bottom line: Retatrutide is promising to be a great tool for help with weight loss, but it’s not the only path forward for many people today. Working with a knowledgeable healthcare professional, like a Midi clinician, can help you find a safe, appropriate plan—even while new medications are still in development. 

At Midi, we regularly combine a range of complementary strategies for our patients to help them reach their weight loss and overall health goals. A clinician-guided Care Plan that combines proven medications, hormone support when appropriate, and lifestyle strategies tailored to your body can deliver real results.

Key Takeaways

• Retatrutide is an investigational weight-loss drug showing strong results in trials, but it is not FDA-approved yet. Approval is expected in 2026. 
• Retratrutide has shown even greater percentage weight loss than other medications in this category and may be an option for those few who did not fully respond or have plateaued on their weight loss from other medications.
• Currently, the only safe and legal way to access retatrutide is through a clinical trial like those listed on clinicaltrials.gov. Any website or individual claiming to sell retatrutide outside of a trial is not doing so legally or compliant with safety processes and regulations. 
• Sustainable weight loss often requires a personalized, multi-factor approach: Weight gain is influenced by hormones, insulin resistance, sleep, stress, and muscle loss—not just appetite. Combining medications (GLP-1 or non-GLP-1), hormone support when appropriate, and lifestyle strategies leads to better long-term results than any single solution alone

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are you guaranteed retatrutide in a clinical trial?

No, you’re not automatically guaranteed to get retatrutide in a clinical trial. Most trials are randomized and blinded, meaning some participants receive retatrutide, while others get a placebo that doesn’t include the active ingredients. In double-blind studies, neither you nor the study team knows which you’re receiving during the trial. This is essential for high-quality research, but it’s important to be comfortable with that uncertainty.

How can I get retatrutide today?

Retatrutide is not yet FDA approved. It is only available through clinical trials. It cannot be prescribed by a clinician, dispensed by a pharmacy, or legally sold online. Any website or individual claiming to sell retatrutide outside of a trial is not offering a legitimate or safe product.

Retatrutide vs. Ozempic?

One drug isn’t better than the other, but semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic) targets a single potent pathway (the GLP-1 receptor), while retatrutide is a triple-agonist, acting on GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. These additional activity pathways may explain why early studies suggest greater average weight loss with retatrutide. That said, Wegovy is FDA-approved and widely prescribed for weight loss with excellent clinical responses, while retatrutide is still an investigational drug only available through clinical trials and its long-term safety and tolerability are still being studied.

Retatrutide vs. Tirzepatide?

Retatrutide and tirzepatide are often compared because they represent the next wave of metabolic medications, but they’re not equally accessible. Tirzepatide is FDA-approved (for diabetes and weight loss, depending on the brand) and works as a dual-agonist, targeting GLP-1 and GIP receptors to reduce appetite, improve insulin response, and support weight loss. Retatrutide, by contrast, is still investigational and only available through clinical trials. It goes one step further as a triple-agonist, targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors, which may enhance fat metabolism. Early trial data suggest retatrutide could lead to greater average weight loss than tirzepatide, but its long-term safety, side effects, and real-world tolerability are still being studied. 

How long does retatrutide take to kick in?

While it depends on the person and the dose, clinical trials showed that four weeks after starting retatrutide, some people had already lost almost 5% of their body weight.  

How fast can you lose weight on retatrutide?

This also depends on how your body reacts to the medication, but clinical trials showed that after 24 weeks (around six months), the average participant on higher doses of retatrutide lost close to 18% of their body weight. And more recent findings show that participants on the highest dose of retatrutide lost an average of 28.7% of their body weight over 68 weeks.

What if I only need to lose a small amount of weight?

The big advantage of retatrutide is the higher percentage body weight loss, so it's a promising option for those with morbid obesity (BMI > 40) or those with obesity who have lost some weight with current medications but have plateaued and are seeking additional weight loss to achieve their best health. For those seeking more modest amounts of weight loss, any of the currently available medications are likely to work and the choice can be driven by a variety of factors:  insurance coverage, availability, formulation (injection vs oral), and ease of access and use.  

Is retatrutide right for me? 

Early studies show retatrutide may be a great option soon for those seeking help with weight loss, but results from current clinical trials will give us all a better understanding of the drug’s nuances in terms of who may benefit the most. If you have not responded to other weight-loss medications or have plateaued in your weight loss, seeking enrollment in a clinical trial for retatrutide may be a great option for you.