How Do You Get Retatrutide? Availability, Suppliers & FDA Timeline (2026)
Quick Answer: Retatrutide is not FDA-approved and cannot be obtained from pharmacies. In 2026, access is limited to clinical trial enrollment (free, through the TRIUMPH program) or research-grade peptide suppliers selling for research use only. If purchasing from a research supplier, verify Finnrick ratings and batch-specific COAs before ordering. Use code PEPPAL at checkout with verified suppliers.
Retatrutide is a next-generation triple agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. Interest has accelerated after TRIUMPH-4 Phase 3 data reported 28.7% average weight loss, outperforming currently approved medications in trial environments. This guide covers FDA timeline projections, mechanism, trial outcomes, current access paths, Finnrick supplier data, reconstitution and dosing reference, side effects, and comparison data versus semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Informational only. Not medical advice. Research use context only.
Retatrutide is an investigational Eli Lilly compound designed as a first-in-class triple receptor agonist. In research communities it is sometimes called a triple G molecule because it activates three hormone pathways in parallel. This differentiates it from semaglutide, which is single-pathway, and tirzepatide, which is dual-pathway. Eli Lilly is also the company behind Zepbound and Mounjaro.
Triple agonist mechanism infographic.
GLP-1: reduces appetite, slows gastric emptying, and supports insulin response.
GIP: enhances insulin signaling and supports metabolic handling of nutrients.
Glucagon: increases energy expenditure and contributes to fat-burning pressure.
The triple mechanism is the core reason researchers believe retatrutide can exceed outcomes seen with dual and single agonists. Current protocols describe once-weekly subcutaneous administration in clinical trial settings.
Retatrutide Clinical Trial Results: TRIUMPH Phase 3 Data
TRIUMPH-4 Results (December 2025) - The Headline Numbers
28.7% average body-weight loss at 12 mg over 68 weeks.
Average absolute loss of roughly 71.2 pounds.
Studied in adults with obesity or overweight and knee osteoarthritis.
WOMAC pain scores improved by as much as 75.8% and 12-14% of participants reported complete knee-pain relief.
Primary and key secondary endpoints were met.
Phase 2 Results (2023) - The Data That Started the Hype
Published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
338 participants over 48 weeks.
24.2% average weight loss at 48 weeks on the top dose.
100% of participants in 8 mg and 12 mg groups lost at least 5%.
Nearly half at the highest dose lost more than 25%, with no clear plateau at study end.
How Does This Compare?
Medication
Type
Avg weight loss
Trial duration
Retatrutide
Triple agonist (GLP-1/GIP/Glucagon)
28.7% (Phase 3)
68 weeks
Tirzepatide (Zepbound)
Dual agonist (GLP-1/GIP)
20-22%
72 weeks
Semaglutide (Wegovy)
Single agonist (GLP-1)
15-17%
68 weeks
Retatrutide vs tirzepatide vs semaglutide weight loss comparison chart.
Based on currently available trial and regulatory sequencing, retatrutide appears at least 18 to 24 months away from possible US commercial launch. These dates are projections, not confirmed FDA or Eli Lilly commitments.
Milestone
Projected date
Status
TRIUMPH-4 Phase 3 results
December 2025
Complete - 28.7% weight loss
Remaining 7 Phase 3 trials
Throughout 2026
In progress
NDA submission
Late 2026 / Q1 2027
Projected
FDA review
10 months standard / 6 priority
Projected
FDA approval decision
Late 2027
Projected
US pharmacy launch
Early 2028
Projected
These are projections, not confirmed agency dates.
Priority review could shorten timing by about 4 months.
Unexpected safety signals could delay approval.
Dysesthesia at 20.9% in highest-dose TRIUMPH-4 participants may influence labeling review.
In practice, researchers discuss two paths: regulated clinical trial enrollment or research-grade suppliers. Both require a clear understanding of legal status, documentation quality, and practical risk.
Eli Lilly's TRIUMPH program spans obesity, type 2 diabetes, knee osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular outcomes, MASLD, and other endpoints across thousands of enrolled participants.
Pros
Free access with pharmaceutical-grade material.
Medical monitoring and structured follow-up.
Possible stipends for time and travel.
Cons
Randomization means some participants get placebo.
Strict eligibility, often BMI 30+ or 27+ with defined comorbidities.
Enrollment windows can close quickly.
To find studies, search ClinicalTrials.gov for "retatrutide" and review eligibility criteria. You can also cross-check active studies in Eli Lilly's trial finder.
Research suppliers sell retatrutide under research use only labeling in a legal grey area. Product quality varies widely, and Finnrick data has reported purity across a large range, which means screening is mandatory before purchase.
Practical note: research peptides ship as lyophilized powder, not ready-to-use liquid. Use our reconstitution guide and reconstitution calculator before handling concentration math.
Critical warning: Retatrutide is the most counterfeited research peptide category in current Finnrick reporting, with 1,770 tested samples across 133 vendors. Never order without checking Finnrick ratings and lot-level COAs first.
Retatrutide Supplier Rankings: Finnrick Testing Data
Retatrutide is the most-tested peptide category on Finnrick, with 1,770 analyzed samples across 133 vendors. Reported purity can range from 62.38% to 100.00%, and quantity accuracy can vary by as much as +/-260% from advertised values.
Paradigm Peptides is currently one of the strongest retatrutide performers in Finnrick summaries, with Orbitrex and Peptide Tech also carrying A ratings in the reviewed snapshot.
Third-party US lab verification and >99% purity claims.
QR-coded vial documentation and transparent pricing.
Domestic tracked shipping and responsive support.
Credit card payment accepted.
Red flags
No Finnrick rating or E/F rating history.
In-house COAs only, no independent verification.
Prices far below market for 10 mg vials.
Telegram-only communication and no website.
Crypto-only payment and no business identity.
Claims of FDA-approved or pharmaceutical-grade retatrutide.
Research peptide COA verification checklist.
For deeper legal context and risk framing, see our grey market guide.
How to Reconstitute and Dose Retatrutide
Common vial sizes in research channels include 5 mg, 10 mg, and 36 mg. A frequent ratio for reference is 10 mg peptide with 2 mL bacteriostatic water, producing 5 mg/mL.
10 mg + 2 mL BAC water = 5 mg/mL (5,000 mcg/mL).
10 mg + 1 mL BAC water = 10 mg/mL (higher concentration).
TRIUMPH dose escalation reference: start 2 mg weekly and increase every 4 weeks toward 4, 6, 9, or 12 mg targets.
Retatrutide may take 3 to 5 minutes to dissolve.
Swirl gently, do not shake.
Store reconstituted vials at 2-8°C and use within 28 days.
What Will Retatrutide Cost? Research vs Future Pharmacy Pricing
Current research-market pricing is often far lower than projected future retail drug pricing, but quality risk is also substantially higher because suppliers are not operating as regulated pharmacy channels.
Research market (grey market)
Typical range: $40-120 per 10 mg vial.
Large-format vials: $150-300+.
Use code PEPPAL with verified suppliers.
Projected future pharmacy pricing
Estimated $1,000-$1,500 per month without insurance.
Zepbound list context: about $1,060 per month.
Wegovy list context: about $1,350 per month.
For researchers sourcing before projected 2028 launch, lower-priced access comes with higher responsibility. Finnrick verification remains essential.
Retatrutide Side Effects: What the Trials Show
Reported side effects are mostly gastrointestinal and appear most often during escalation. Commonly reported events include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite, and vomiting.
TRIUMPH-4 added an important signal: dysesthesia (skin sensitivity, tingling, or tenderness) occurred in 20.9% of participants on the highest dose. This is a notable differentiator versus semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Trial summaries referenced here did not report severe hypoglycemia or fatalities. Informational only, not medical advice.
How Does Retatrutide Compare to Semaglutide and Tirzepatide?
Feature
Retatrutide
Tirzepatide (Zepbound)
Semaglutide (Wegovy)
Mechanism
Triple agonist (GLP-1/GIP/Glucagon)
Dual agonist (GLP-1/GIP)
Single agonist (GLP-1)
FDA status
Phase 3 (not approved)
Approved
Approved
Avg weight loss
28.7%
20-22%
15-17%
Administration
Once-weekly injection
Once-weekly injection
Once-weekly injection or daily oral
Manufacturer
Eli Lilly
Eli Lilly
Novo Nordisk
Available via pharmacy
No
Yes
Yes
Research peptide available
Yes (grey market)
Yes (grey market)
Yes (grey market)
Finnrick tested
1,770 samples / 133 vendors
Yes
Yes
Frequently Asked Questions About Retatrutide
The answers below are aligned with the FAQ schema on this page and cover pharmacy availability, legal status, trial outcomes, supplier data, and practical sourcing questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get retatrutide from a pharmacy?
Retatrutide is not FDA-approved, so it is not available through standard pharmacies. Access in 2026 is limited to clinical trial enrollment or research peptide suppliers operating under research use only labeling.
Is retatrutide FDA-approved?
No. Retatrutide remains in Phase 3 clinical trials and is not approved for routine prescribing or pharmacy dispensing.
Is it legal to buy retatrutide?
Retatrutide is sold by research peptide suppliers in a regulatory grey area under research use only designation. It is not FDA-approved for human use and cannot be legally prescribed as an approved medication.
Why is retatrutide labeled research-only?
Research-only labeling means the product is not FDA-approved for human consumption and is sold for laboratory or analytical use. The label itself does not prove quality.
How do you know if retatrutide is real?
Use Finnrick testing data, verify batch-specific COAs tied to your exact lot number, and confirm independent third-party lab reporting. Avoid suppliers that only provide generic PDFs.
When will retatrutide be FDA approved?
Based on current public projections, remaining Phase 3 trials report through 2026, NDA submission is expected in late 2026 or early 2027, and approval may arrive in late 2027 with commercial launch potentially in early 2028.
How much weight loss does retatrutide produce?
TRIUMPH-4 results reported in December 2025 showed average 28.7% body-weight reduction at the 12 mg dose over 68 weeks, approximately 71.2 pounds. Earlier Phase 2 data showed 24.2% average loss at 48 weeks.
What is retatrutide's Finnrick rating?
Retatrutide is the most-tested peptide on Finnrick with 1,770 samples from 133 vendors. A-rated examples include Paradigm Peptides, Orbitrex Peptides, and Peptide Tech, while some vendors are E-rated.
How do you reconstitute retatrutide?
A common reference ratio is 10 mg peptide plus 2 mL bacteriostatic water. Inject water slowly down the vial wall, swirl gently, and allow 3 to 5 minutes for full dissolution. Use a calculator for exact concentration math.
What are retatrutide's side effects?
Common reported effects include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and appetite suppression. TRIUMPH-4 also reported dysesthesia in 20.9% at the highest dose.
Is retatrutide better than semaglutide?
Retatrutide has shown stronger weight-loss outcomes in trial data, but it is still investigational and not FDA-approved. Semaglutide is approved with broader long-term real-world use.
What is the difference between retatrutide and tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a dual agonist targeting GLP-1 and GIP. Retatrutide adds glucagon receptor activity as a triple agonist, which may explain stronger weight-loss outcomes in trials.
How much does research-grade retatrutide cost?
Research-market pricing typically ranges from about $40 to $120 for a 10 mg vial, with larger vials costing more. Pricing depends on supplier quality controls and current demand.
Can you compound retatrutide?
No. Retatrutide is an investigational drug that has not completed clinical trials, so it cannot be legally compounded by 503A or 503B pharmacies. Any compounding pharmacy claiming to sell retatrutide is operating outside FDA guidance.
What does triple agonist mean?
Triple agonist means one molecule activates three receptor pathways. Retatrutide targets GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon in the same compound.
Can I get retatrutide from my doctor or a telehealth clinic?
Not yet. Because retatrutide lacks FDA approval, licensed physicians and telehealth platforms cannot legally prescribe it as an approved pharmacy medication. Until projected approval in late 2027, clinical trials and research suppliers are the main access paths.
Does insurance cover retatrutide?
No, not currently. If retatrutide is FDA-approved, coverage will depend on plan policy and approved indication. If diabetes is approved first, coverage may be broader initially, similar to earlier GLP-1 rollouts.
Ready to Source Research-Grade Retatrutide?
Verify Finnrick ratings first, confirm lot-specific COAs, and use code PEPPAL with PepPal-verified suppliers. If you are evaluating options today, compare suppliers before purchasing.
