Metabolic Peptides Overview

Your body already makes hormones that control appetite, blood sugar, and how you burn energy. Three of the most important are GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), and glucagon. When you eat, these signals tell your brain you are full, help your pancreas release insulin, and influence how fat is stored or burned.

The compounds on this page are lab-engineered peptides designed to mimic or amplify those natural signals. They are given as once-weekly injections in clinical trials and approved drugs.

Retatrutide
GLP-1
Curbs appetite and slows gastric emptying.
eat less
GIP
Amplifies GLP-1's effect and reduces nausea.
effect amplified
Glucagon
Raises energy expenditure and fat oxidation.
burn more

Timeline and Comparison

Exenatide
First GLP-1 (Diabetes)
Liraglutide
Daily GLP-1 (Diabetes)
Liraglutide
First GLP-1 (Obesity)
Semaglutide
Weekly GLP-1 (Diabetes)
Semaglutide
Weekly GLP-1 (Obesity)
Tirzepatide
Dual Agonist (Diabetes)
Tirzepatide
Dual Agonist (Obesity)
Retatrutide
Triple Agonist (Phase 2)
Retatrutide
Triple Agonist (Phase 3)
Use in biohacker culture
Use in Hollywood
Use in mainstream culture
SemaglutideTirzepatideRetatrutide
NicknameSemaTirzReta
Brand namesOzempic, Wegovy, RybelsusMounjaro, ZepboundNone (Investigational)
DeveloperNovo NordiskEli LillyEli Lilly
Receptors targetedGLP-1GLP-1 + GIPGLP-1 + GIP + glucagon
Headline weight-loss result~14.9% at 68 weeks~22.5% at 72 weeks at 15 mg~28.3% at 80 weeks at 12 mg
FDA status (U.S.)Approved for diabetes and obesityApproved for diabetes and obesityInvestigational, awaiting FDA filing
Most common side effectsGI: nausea, vomiting, diarrheaGI: nausea, vomiting, diarrheaGI effects plus skin tingling at higher doses

Read More

  • Retatrutide for Obesity (Phase 3)

    Eli Lilly · May 2026 · ~28.3% weight loss at 12 mg over 80 weeks

    Lilly Press Release
  • Triple Hormone-Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity

    Rosenstock et al. · N Engl J Med 2023 · NCT04881760

    NEJM
  • All retatrutide Phase 3 trials

    Multiple ongoing trials · Eli Lilly · check registry for latest status

    ClinicalTrials.gov

Disclaimer: This page summarizes publicly available clinical research for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Modern Bio is not affiliated with Novo Nordisk or Eli Lilly, and sells peptides for in vitro and laboratory research only. For dosing and effect notes, see the How to Use page.