What is the difference between Retatrutide and Tesamorelin?

Retatrutide: Triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist; targets three pathways for synergistic fat reduction Tesamorelin: Tesamorelin stimulates pulsatile GH secretion from the anterior pituitary by binding GHRH receptors.

Is Tesamorelin FDA approved?

Tesamorelin is FDA approved (FDA status current as of 2010-11-10). This regulatory status is provided for research and educational context only.

How is Retatrutide administered in research settings?

In research settings, Retatrutide is typically administered via the subcutaneous route. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

How is Tesamorelin administered in research settings?

In research settings, Tesamorelin is typically administered via the subcutaneous route. PeptideBase does not provide dosing or administration instructions.

Home›Research›Compare›Retatrutide vs Tesamorelin

Peptide Comparison

Retatrutide vs Tesamorelin

Name: Retatrutide vs Tesamorelin — Per-mg Price Comparison
Creator: PeptideBase
License: https://peptidebase.io/terms

Retatrutide

GLP-3

Fat LossUnder clinical reviewResearch Only

Half-life: ~6 days

96 providers listed

Full Retatrutide profile →

Tesamorelin

Egrifta

Fat LossFDA ApprovedPrescription

Half-life: 26–38 minutes

245 providers listed

Full Tesamorelin profile →

Bottom line

Retatrutide and Tesamorelin target different goals — Retatrutide for profound weight loss, Tesamorelin for FDA-approved GHRH analog for HIV-associated lipodystrophy (Egrifta / Egrifta SV). They're compared here for reference, not as direct substitutes.

Quick Verdict

Retatrutide

Half-life

~6 days

Tesamorelin

Half-life

26–38 minutes

Different Goals

Retatrutide and Tesamorelin target different goals — Retatrutide for Metabolic, Tesamorelin for GH / IGF Axis. They're compared here for reference; there isn't a single “better” choice between them.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Retatrutide

Tesamorelin

Mechanism Family

Metabolic

GH / IGF Axis

Half-life

~6 days

26–38 minutes

FDA Status

Under clinical review

approved

Admin Routes

subcutaneous

Availability

Research Only

Prescription

Providers

96 listed

245 listed

FDA Update

Under clinical review

Nov 2010

Avail. Notes

Triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon agonist by Eli Lilly. Pivotal Phase 3 readouts across obesity (TRIUMPH-1, May 2026), obesity + knee osteoarthritis (TRIUMPH-4, Dec 2025), type 2 diabetes (TRANSCEND-T2D-1, Mar 2026), obesity + type 2 diabetes (TRIUMPH-2, Jul 2026), and severe obesity + cardiovascular disease (TRIUMPH-3, Jul 2026); OSA trial in program. Not FDA-approved; Lilly plans to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) to FDA in Q1 2027. NCT05929066.

FDA-approved GHRH analog. Brand: Egrifta SV (NDA 022505, Nov 2010). Indicated for excess abdominal fat in HIV lipodystrophy. Prescription only. Daily subcutaneous injection.

Research Evidence

Retatrutide

Meta-analysis · 10 key studies · most recent 2026

Tesamorelin

RCT · 7 key studies · most recent 2026

Research Citations

Retatrutide

Meta-analysis2026 · Ann Intern Med

Benefits and Harms of Pharmacologic Treatments in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: A Living Systematic Revi…

RCT2026 · J Clin Endocrinol Metab

Retatrutide And Lipid And Metabolite Profiles In Participants With Obesity With Or Without Type 2 Diabetes.

RCT2025 · Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism

Design of the TRIUMPH phase 3 clinical trial programme for retatrutide in obesity and cardiometabolic disease

RCT2023 · New England Journal of Medicine

Triple-hormone-receptor agonist retatrutide for obesity — a phase 2 trial

+6 more

Tesamorelin

RCT2012 · Arch Neurol

Effects of growth hormone–releasing hormone (tesamorelin) on cognitive function in adults with MCI and health…

RCT2010 · Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Effects of tesamorelin (TH9507), a growth hormone-releasing factor analog, in HIV-infected patients with exce…

RCT2010 · J Clin Endocrinol Metab

Effects of tesamorelin in HIV-infected patients with excess abdominal fat: pooled analysis of two phase 3 RCTs

Case series2026 · Clin Infect Dis

Differing Presentations of Excess Visceral Abdominal Fat in People Living With HIV: Two Clinical Cases Highli…

+3 more

About Retatrutide

Triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist; targets three pathways for synergistic fat reduction

Research Areas

profound weight lossappetite suppressionmetabolic improvement

About Tesamorelin

Tesamorelin stimulates pulsatile GH secretion from the anterior pituitary by binding GHRH receptors. Its stabilisation protects it from rapid enzymatic cleavage by dipeptidyl peptidase IV, extending the effective half-life compared to unmodified GHRH. Downstream effects on visceral adiposity are mediated through elevated IGF-1 and direct lipolytic signalling.

Research Areas

FDA-approved GHRH analog for HIV-associated lipodystrophy (Egrifta / Egrifta SV)visceral fat reduction via GH/IGF-1 axis — strongest clinical evidence of any fat-targeted peptide2 mg/day subcutaneous injection — structured monthly dosing in approved indicationIGF-1 elevation monitoring relevant — considered in metabolic syndrome and diabetes contexts

Safety Profile

Information below reflects published research data only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified provider before use.

Retatrutide

Absolute Contraindications

Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)Known hypersensitivity to the drug or excipients

Warnings & Cautions

Acute pancreatitisPregnancy (discontinue; not for use in pregnancy)Gallbladder disease / cholelithiasisDiabetic retinopathy complications (reported with GLP-1 receptor agonist use)Severe GI disease / gastroparesis / ileus riskHypoglycemia when combined with insulin or sulfonylureasAcute kidney injury secondary to volume depletion

Class-based (investigational)

Tesamorelin

Absolute Contraindications

Disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (hypophysectomy, hypopituitarism, pituitary tumor/surgery, head irradiation, or head trauma)Active malignancy (any prior cancer must be inactive and treatment complete)PregnancyKnown hypersensitivity to tesamorelin or mannitol

Warnings & Cautions

Elevated IGF-1Glucose intolerance / new or worsening diabetesFluid retentionNot for use in children with open epiphyses

Source: FDA label

Suggested Monitoring

Under clinical review

Being verified by our medical team before we display monitoring guidance for this peptide.

Regulatory Notes

global — WADA

This compound falls under WADA Prohibited List category S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics), prohibited at all times for competing athletes.

source

Price (per mg)

Retatrutide

$9.14/mg

$8.50 – $11.45 range

12 vendors

View price index →Find providers →

Tesamorelin

$7.78/mg

$6.68 – $9.99 range

48 vendors

View price index →Find providers →

Find Providers

Where to source these peptides

Providers offering

Retatrutide

96 listed

Browse directory →

Providers offering

Tesamorelin

245 listed

Browse directory →

PeptideBase lists providers for educational research purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before obtaining or using any peptide.

Related Comparisons

Browse all peptides →

Educational research tools — not medical advice.

Cite this page

Data last updated August 26, 2026

Free to reference and republish with attribution to PeptideBase. Choose a format:

PeptideBase. (2026). Retatrutide vs Tesamorelin — Per-mg Price Comparison. Retrieved September 11, 2026, from https://peptidebase.io/peptides/compare/retatrutide/tesamorelin

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