Retatrutide TRIUMPH-4 results: 28.7% weight loss. Is this the endgame for obesity drugs?
Just saw the TRIUMPH-4 results that dropped today and I’m honestly floored. 28.7% weight loss at 72 weeks with retatrutide at the highest dose. That’s literally better than anything we’ve seen with tirzepatide or sema. For context, I’ve been on Mounjaro for about 8 months now and I’m down about 18% from my starting weight which I was already thrilled with.
But now I’m wondering if I should hold out for retatrutide when it eventually gets approved? My doctor mentioned it’s still probably 2+ years away from market but these results are just insane. They’re calling it a triple agonist (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptor) whereas tirz is just the dual agonist.
I guess my question is – do we think this is basically the endgame for obesity medications or are we gonna see even crazier stuff in the pipeline? And for those of you who understand the science better than me, what does adding that glucagon receptor action actually do that makes such a big difference?
The glucagon receptor agonism is really interesting from a metabolic standpoint. Basically it increases energy expenditure and promotes fat oxidation in ways that GLP-1 and GIP don’t fully address. In my experience researching this stuff, the triple mechanism seems to hit multiple pathways simultaneously which is why you’re seeing those enhanced results. That said, 28.7% was the TOP dose and not everyone tolerated it well – the discontinuation rates due to GI side effects were notably higher than what we see with tirz. So it might not be the magic bullet for everyone. I’d stay on what’s working for you now tbh.
I wouldn’t call it the endgame necessarily. There’s already stuff in earlier trials that looks promising too – CagriSema is combining sema with cagrilintide and showing similar numbers. Plus I read somewhere that Pfips danuglipron (the oral GLP-1) is being combined with other mechanisms too. The pipeline is honestly wild right now. But yeah these retatrutide results are def impressive. I’m 42M, started at 287 lbs on tirz last year and I’m down to 221, so I’m not complaining about what we have available NOW rather than waiting years for something that might not even work better for me personally.
My doctor mentioned retatrutide to me a few months ago when I was frustrated with my semaglutide plateau. She said the same thing about it being years away still. One thing to consider is that being first to market isn’t always best – let other people work out the side effect profiles and long term issues lol. I know that sounds cynical but we’re still learning about stuff with these medications. The weight loss is incredible don’t get me wrong but sustainability and what happens when you stop is still a huge question mark with all of these.
Sarah, if Mounjaro is working for you I’d stick with it honestly. 18% loss in 8 months is amazing and you’re likely not done losing yet. I hit my lowest weight at month 14 on tirz. The problem with waiting for the “next best thing” is that you lose time and momentum. Plus like PeptideResearcher said, higher doses = more side effects for a lot of people. I couldn’t tolerate the highest tirz dose without feeling absolutely miserable, so sometimes more isn’t actually better for your quality of life. Just my 2 cents!