Weight Loss Peptides: Everything You Need to Know
Peptide drugs are used to treat a variety of health conditions. Some may even help people who are overweight and obese lose weight and manage obesity-related conditions.
A peptide is a small chain of amino acids that makes up proteins in the body. Therapeutic peptides are made to treat various health issues, including type 2 diabetes, HIV, and irritable bowel syndrome. Peptides are also a new tool doctors are prescribing to help people lose weight.
Here’s what you need to know about peptides for weight loss, which ones work best, and what side effects you may experience while using them.
Can peptides help with weight loss?
Yes. While the initial purpose of peptide drugs did not revolve around weight loss, researchers Trusted Source noticed that people did lose weight while using them.
In particular, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and its receptor agonists may help people lose weight. They stimulate the release of insulin, which improves blood sugar, so they’re often used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Beyond that, they may reduce appetite and promote fullness. When people aren’t hungry and feel full, they may not eat as much. Over time, this may cause weight loss.
However, experts point out that peptides may not make everyone lose weight. More factors are at play, including diet and exercise habits, personal health history, and a person’s individual reaction to peptide drugs.
What peptides work best for losing weight?
Retatrutide (LY3437943) is an investigational once-weekly, injectable triple-hormone receptor agonist (GIP, GLP-1, and GCG) developed by Eli Lilly for obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Phase 2/3 trials show it may produce up to 24-28% body weight loss,, along with significant improvements in blood pressure and glycemic control.
Key Details About Retatrutide:
- Mechanism: Known as a "triple-G" agonist, it targets three receptors—Glucagon, GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1)—to reduce appetite and body weight.
- Clinical Efficacy:
Phase 2 studies showed that at 48 weeks, participants on the highest dose (12mg) lost an average of 24.2% of their body weight
Semaglutide
The peptide drug of the moment is semaglutide. This GLP-1 receptor agonist is labeled to treat type 2 diabetes (brand name Ozempic) or obesity (brand name Wegovy). It’s approvedTrusted Source by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and typically given via a once-weekly injection.
The effects of this drug seem to work well in the first yearTrusted Source and may plateau around week 60Trusted Source of treatment.
Liraglutide
Liraglutide (brand name Saxenda) is another GLP-1 receptor agonist that is specifically approvedTrusted Source for weight loss. Researchers explain that it reduces appetite and helps people keep weight off for at least a year. This medication is typically given in a once-daily injection.
It’s important to note that — while both semaglutide and liraglutide are “significantlyTrusted Source” effective weight loss tools — experts Trusted Source believe semaglutide is a better value for the money than liraglutide.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide (brand name Mounjaro) is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes. In a study on over 2,500 adults, people who took varying doses of tirzepatide (ranging from 5 mg to 15 mg) experienced a “substantial and sustained” reduction in their weight over 72 weeks compared to those who received a placebo.
This drug is approved by the FDA to treat diabetes and can be used off-label to treat obesity. It’s typically given via a once-weekly injection.
How much weight can you lose on peptides?
Retatrutide has shown significant weight loss results in clinical trials, with participants losing an average of 24% to nearly 29% of their body weight (approx. 50–70+ lbs) over 48 to 68 weeks. As a triple-hormone receptor agonist (GLP-1/GIP/glucagon), it is currently considered more effective than existing options like Tirzepatide (Mounjaro).
Key Findings on Retatrutide Weight Loss:
- Average Weight Loss: In a 48-week trial, participants on the highest dose (12 mg) lost an average of 24.2% of their body weight. Recent 68-week data indicated even higher, reaching up to 28.7%.
- Significant Results:
In studies, nearly all participants (up to 100% in some groups) lost 5% or more of their body weight, while 26% of those on the 12 mg dose lost 30% or more.
Weight loss varies by person and dosage of peptides.
In a clinical trial of Ozempic (semaglutide), participants lost 8.3% of their body weight in a year compared to just 2.2% in the control group. If a person weighs 300 lb, for example, 8.3% of their body weight figures to a loss of 25 lb.
Other reports found the following:
- People who took Wegovy lost an average of 14.9%Trusted Source of their body weight compared to 2.4% in the placebo group over a 68-week period.
- People who took liraglutide lost around 8%Trusted Source of their body weight compared to 2.6% in the control group over a 56-week period.
- People who took tirzepatide experienced up to a 15% loss of body weight at the end of a 72-week study period.
Combining peptides with exercise is even more effective. In one study on liraglutide, participants who took the drug and exercised 150 minutes a week (moderate intensity) or 75 minutes a week (vigorous intensity) reduced their weight and body fat twice as much as participants who took the drug alone.
Not only that, but combining exercise with medication also improved their insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular fitness, and overall sense of well-being.
Are there side effects from taking peptides for weight loss?
Overall, peptides do not cause serious side effects. The most common side effects with GLP-1 receptor agonists are gastrointestinal issues (nausea, constipation, and diarrhea). These effects may range from mild to moderate and mainly show up when increasing dosages.
Researchers explain that weight loss in people who experience GI issues is slightly greater than in those who do not experience this side effect.
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