Retatrutide Available Doses
Retatrutide is available in 1 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg, and 12 mg doses, administered as once-weekly subcutaneous injections. 1, 2, 3
Dosing Information from Clinical Trials
Available Dose Strengths
- 1 mg weekly 1, 3
- 4 mg weekly (with initial dose escalation starting at 2 mg or 4 mg) 1, 2, 3
- 8 mg weekly (with initial dose escalation starting at 2 mg or 4 mg) 1, 2, 3
- 12 mg weekly (with initial dose escalation starting at 2 mg) 1, 2, 3
Dose Escalation Strategies Studied
Multiple starting dose approaches have been evaluated in clinical trials to minimize gastrointestinal side effects: 2, 3
- Lower starting doses (2 mg) followed by escalation were associated with better tolerability compared to starting at 4 mg directly 3
- Dose-dependent increases in efficacy were observed across the range from 1 mg to 12 mg 1, 4, 3
Efficacy by Dose
Weight Loss Outcomes at 24 Weeks
- 1 mg: -7.2% body weight reduction 1, 3
- 4 mg: -12.9% body weight reduction 3
- 8 mg: -17.3% body weight reduction 3
- 12 mg: -17.5% body weight reduction 1, 3
Weight Loss Outcomes at 48 Weeks
- 1 mg: -8.7% body weight reduction 3
- 4 mg: -17.1% body weight reduction 3
- 8 mg: -22.8% body weight reduction 3
- 12 mg: -24.2% body weight reduction 3
Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes (24 Weeks)
- 4 mg: HbA1c reduction of -1.39% 2
- 8 mg (slow escalation): HbA1c reduction of -1.99% 2
- 12 mg: HbA1c reduction of -2.02% 2
Administration Details
Retatrutide is administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection, with pharmacokinetics supporting this dosing frequency 5, 3
The medication is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials and is not yet FDA-approved for clinical use 6, 1, 5
Safety Considerations
Gastrointestinal adverse events (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting) are dose-related and occur more frequently at higher doses, though most are mild to moderate in severity 1, 2, 3
Starting at lower doses (2 mg) and escalating gradually partially mitigates gastrointestinal side effects compared to starting at 4 mg 3
Dose-dependent increases in heart rate have been observed, peaking at 24 weeks and declining thereafter, with increases up to 6.7 beats/min 1, 3