People Are Already Taking This Unapproved New Weight-Loss Drug

"Retatrutide works by the same means as its predecessors, by interacting with receptors that are central to the body's metabolism, ultimately lowering people's appetite and slowing digestion. But where semaglutide acts on one receptor (the glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, receptor), and tirzepatide on two (GLP-1 and the gastric inhibitory polypeptide, or GIP, receptors), retatrutide has been nicknamed "Triple G" for its ability to work on three hormone receptors (those for GLP-1 and GIP, as well as the glucagon, or GCG,"

"Unlike Shulgin or Baudelaire's experiments, retatrutide is not psychoactive. It's a weight-loss injectable, like semaglutide (marketed as Wegovy) or tirzepatide (marketed as Zepbound). But the key difference with this weight-loss drug, besides the pesky matter of its legality, is that it appears to be much, much more powerful than those approved so far. On the back of phase II trials, it's already being hailed as a game-changer."

Retatrutide is a potent weight-loss injectable that targets three hormone receptors involved in metabolism. The drug acts on GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors to reduce appetite and slow digestion, producing stronger effects than semaglutide or tirzepatide. Phase II results have suggested substantial additional weight loss, generating considerable interest. Some individuals have obtained retatrutide through online sources and are self-administering it despite incomplete clinical trials and legal uncertainties. The drug's increased potency raises questions about safety, regulation, and demand relative to existing approved therapies.

Read at WIRED