So, what are the side effects of retatrutide? Like other similar weight loss medications, retatrutide primarily causes gastrointestinal issues.<\/p>\n
Below, we\u2019ll unpack the most common retatrutide side effects clinical trials have uncovered, plus answer common questions like, \u201cIs retatrutide safe?\u201d and \u201cHow long do retatrutide side effects last?\u201d<\/p>\n
Retatrutide side effects at a glance<\/p>\n
There isn\u2019t an official side effect profile for retatrutide yet because the drug is still being studied and hasn\u2019t been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But we know that retatrutide is a triple-hormone receptor agonist<\/a>. It mimics glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP<\/a>), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1<\/a>), and glucagon<\/a> hormones.\u00a0<\/p>\n While retatrutide acts on glucagon too, it makes sense that it would cause similar side effects to GLP-1s like Wegovy<\/a> (semaglutide<\/a>) or GLP-1\/GIPs like Zepbound<\/a> (tirzepatide<\/a>).<\/p>\n Here are the side effects reported by participants in recent retatrutide clinical trials<\/a>:\u200b<\/p>\n Dysesthesia<\/a> (abnormal skin sensations<\/a>) has also been reported<\/a>. This side effect may feel like burning, tingling, pain, or tightness in the skin without an external cause. Though it feels like a skin issue, dysesthesia is actually a neurological, or nerve-related, side effect.<\/p>\n Remember, this information on retatrutide side effects may change. Until \u2014 and unless \u2014 the FDA approves retatrutide, the medication\u2019s full side effects and safety profile won’t be known.<\/p>\n Like semaglutide or tirzepatide, retatrutide most commonly<\/a> causes gastrointestinal symptoms<\/a>. Here are the five most common retatrutide side effects reported in Phase 2<\/a> and Phase 3<\/a> clinical trials.<\/p>\n 1. Nausea<\/p>\n In the latest Phase 3 clinical trials, nausea was the most frequently reported side effect. It occurred in close to 40% of participants taking 9 mg of retatrutide and 43% of those taking the 12 mg dose.\u200b<\/p>\n Like other GLP-1s, nausea seems more common the higher your dose. And since researchers<\/a> say the safety profile appears similar to that of other GLP-1s, we might assume nausea will be most frequent during dose escalation.<\/p>\n Fortunately, there are strategies<\/a> to help manage nausea<\/a> caused by GLP-1s.<\/p>\n How to manage nausea<\/a>:<\/p>\n Eat smaller, but more frequent meals.<\/p>\n Eat slowly and mindfully, chewing each bite before swallowing.<\/p>\n Avoid high-fat, greasy foods. Instead, opt for foods that can ease nausea, such as crackers, apple slices, mints, or ginger.<\/p>\n 2. Diarrhea<\/p>\n Diarrhea \u2014 defined<\/a> as having watery stool three or more times a day \u2014 is a common GLP-1 side effect. Though retatrutide involves other hormones, it is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. And true to form, retatrutide has led<\/a> to diarrhea in about 35% of people taking 9 mg weekly, and about 33% of people taking 12 mg weekly.\u00a0<\/p>\n GLP-1 agonists like retatrutide can change the amount of fluid<\/a> released in the gut. If you have diarrhea<\/a>, it\u2019s very important to stay hydrated so that you don\u2019t lose more fluids through your digestive system than you consume.<\/p>\n How to manage diarrhea<\/a>:<\/p>\n Drink more water<\/a> than usual to prevent dehydration.<\/p>\n Try the BRAT diet<\/a> \u2014 or stick to bland foods like rice or toast \u2014 to alleviate stomach cramping.<\/p>\n Consider limiting or avoiding dairy and greasy foods.<\/p>\n Temporarily lower your fiber intake until diarrhea improves.<\/p>\n If these tips aren\u2019t helping enough, reach out to your healthcare provider for personalized advice. They may recommend a dose adjustment or an anti-diarrheal medication.<\/p>\n 3. Vomiting<\/p>\n In retatrutide clinical trials, about 20% of participants taking retatrutide reported vomiting (compared to zero participants in the placebo group).\u200b<\/p>\n One of the ways retatrutide works is by slowing digestion<\/a> so that food stays in your stomach longer. That can make vomiting more likely, especially if you\u2019re already feeling nauseated or if you\u2019ve just eaten a large amount of food in one sitting.<\/p>\n How to manage vomiting:<\/p>\n Eat smaller portions<\/a> more often, and take smaller bites.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t lie down immediately after eating.<\/p>\n Avoid processed, greasy, or rich foods, which can exacerbate<\/a> nausea.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t drink fluids during meals. Instead, time your sips 30\u201360 minutes before and after you eat.<\/p>\n If nausea or vomiting continues despite these tips, contact your health care provider. They may adjust your dose or prescribe medicine to help.<\/p>\n 4. Constipation<\/p>\n GLP-1s famously slow down digestion, so it\u2019s no wonder some people start to feel a little stopped up when taking them. In clinical trials, constipation was common, affecting about 22% of people taking 9 mg of retatrutide and 25% of people on 12 mg of retatrutide.<\/p>\n By mimicking the gut hormone GIP, retatrutide might make you feel full fast, causing you to eat and drink less. This can also make bowel movements less frequent, especially if you\u2019re not focusing enough on hydration and fiber<\/a>.<\/p>\n How to manage constipation<\/a>:<\/p>\n Gradually add more fiber-rich foods<\/a> to your diet, like oats, avocados, and beans.<\/p>\n Drink lots of water throughout the day.<\/p>\n Get moving \u2014\u00a0take a walk, jog around the block \u2014 to help get your bowels moving<\/a>, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n You can also consider using an over-the-counter laxative for constipation relief. Check in with a healthcare provider if constipation doesn\u2019t improve.<\/p>\n 5. Dysesthesia<\/p>\n In a phase 3 retatrutide clinical trial<\/a>, some participants experienced mild dysesthesia<\/a>, which is an unusual skin sensation or skin sensitivity<\/a>, such as unexplained stinging, burning, or pain. It affected:<\/p>\n Dysesthesia isn\u2019t the most common retatrutide side effect, but it\u2019s one worth knowing about and monitoring for. Researchers<\/a> say more studies are needed to understand how and why a GLP-1 \u2014 or, in this case, a triple-receptor-agonist \u2014\u00a0sometimes causes dysesthesia.\u00a0<\/p>\n How to manage dysesthesia:<\/p>\n Tell your healthcare provider what you\u2019re experiencing.<\/p>\n Avoid scratching or rubbing.<\/p>\n Try wearing loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.<\/p>\n Limit alcohol intake<\/a>.<\/p>\n How long do retatrutide side effects last?<\/p>\n Research on retatrutide is ongoing, but as with most medications, side effect duration can vary from person to person.<\/p>\n From what we know, retatrutide side effects seem to be dose-dependent<\/a>. Meaning, the higher the dose, the higher the risk of side effects. Typically, this\u00a0 also means you\u2019re more likely to experience side effects after dose increases.<\/p>\n If retatrutide is like other GLP-1 medications, side effects should improve with time<\/a>, as your body gets used to the drug. Don\u2019t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider if side effects don\u2019t go away or are severe enough to interfere with your daily life.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Serious side effects of retatrutide\u00a0<\/p>\n Since retatrutide is still being studied, we don\u2019t know the full extent of potential serious side effects. GLP-1s in general may have the potential to cause certain rare but serious side effects, so the same may apply to retatrutide. These include<\/a>:<\/p>\n Thyroid cancer: It isn\u2019t known if GLP-1s cause thyroid tumors in humans, but for now, anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a specific kind of thyroid cancer<\/a>) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should avoid taking retatrutide.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): Anyone on retatrutide should tell their healthcare provider if they experience severe abdominal pain, nausea, fever, or vomiting.<\/p>\n Gallbladder problems: Likewise, be sure to report gallbladder-related symptoms, such as upper stomach pain, fever, clay-colored stools, or yellowing skin or eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kidney problems: GLP-1s can cause kidney issues, especially if you become dehydrated. If you have kidney problems, make sure your healthcare provider knows, and self-monitor for worsening symptoms.<\/p>\n Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): GLP-1s can lower blood sugar, so the risk of hypoglycemia<\/a> is amplified if you\u2019re taking a diabetes medication such as insulin. Pay attention to unexplained dizziness, lightheadedness, or blurry vision.\u00a0<\/p>\n Serious allergic reactions: Any medication, including retatrutide, can cause serious allergic reactions. Seek urgent medical attention if you have trouble breathing, sudden hives, or swelling in your lips, tongue, or throat.<\/p>\n Retatrutide side effects vs. other GLP-1s\u00a0<\/p>\n Currently, retatrutide side effects look similar to those of other GLP-1s. Weight loss medications such as Wegovy<\/a> (semaglutide<\/a>), Zepbound<\/a> (tirzepatide<\/a>), or Foundayo<\/a> (orforglipron<\/a>) can all cause gastrointestinal issues. However, clinical trials suggest that retatrutide is more likely to cause dysesthesia than other medications.\u00a0<\/p>\n Below, find a comparison<\/a> of the official side effect<\/a> profiles<\/a> of other GLP-1s<\/a> and what we know about retatrutide side effects so far. However, these rates aren\u2019t a direct comparison as they come from separate placebo-controlled clinical trials of each drug.<\/p>\n Nausea<\/p>\n Constipation<\/p>\n Diarrhea<\/p>\n Vomiting<\/p>\n Dysesthia<\/p>\n Retatrutide<\/p>\n 38.1%<\/p>\n 21.8%<\/p>\n 34.7%<\/p>\n 20.4%<\/p>\n 21%<\/p>\n Wegovy (semaglutide) injection or pill<\/p>\n 35%<\/p>\n 19%<\/p>\n 30%<\/p>\n 16%<\/p>\n 6%<\/p>\n Wegovy HD injection (7.2 mg)<\/p>\n 39%<\/p>\n 20%<\/p>\n >2%<\/p>\n 22%<\/p>\n 22%<\/p>\n Foundayo (orforglipron)\u00a0<\/p>\n 35%<\/p>\n 24%<\/p>\n 25%<\/p>\n 24%<\/p>\n 1%<\/p>\n Zepbound (tirzepatide)<\/p>\n 28%<\/p>\n 11%<\/p>\n 23%<\/p>\n 13%<\/p>\n 0.4%<\/p>\n When comparing retatrutide with other weight loss medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide, it\u2019s impossible to overemphasize that retatrutide is still being studied. There is still no official, FDA-approved list of side effects.<\/p>\n Retatrutide is an investigational triple receptor agonist drug that looks very promising for weight loss. But it\u2019s not without side effects (and it hasn\u2019t been FDA-approved yet).\u00a0<\/p>\n In clinical trials, retatrutide peptide side effects look similar to GLP-1 side effects. The most common side effects are digestive symptoms, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation.<\/p>\n Rare but serious side effects may occur. Retatrutide is a GLP-1 (along with acting on GIP and glucagon), and GLP-1s have the potential to cause serious side effects such as a specific type of thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, and gallbladder or kidney issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n Contact your healthcare provider if you experience lasting, severe, or worsening side effects on retatrutide. This is especially important during a clinical trial, as trial data helps form a clearer picture of a medication\u2019s safety profile.<\/p>\n Frequently asked questions (FAQs)Who shouldn\u2019t take retatrutide?<\/p>\n There are no official contraindications for retatrutide because the drug is still being researched.\u00a0<\/p>\n But as a GLP-1, retatrutide will likely not be recommended<\/a> for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or pancreatitis.<\/p>\n What happens when you stop taking retatrutide?<\/p>\n There have been no studies on what happens when someone stops retatrutide, as the medication is still undergoing clinical trials. But research<\/a> on stopping other GLP-1s<\/a> suggests that when you stop taking the medication, weight regain is very likely.<\/p>\n5 common retatrutide side effects in clinical trials<\/p>\n
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