Weight Loss

Most of them copy hormones your body already uses to regulate appetite. GLP-1 peptides like semaglutide mimic a gut hormone that reduces hunger and slows how fast your stomach empties, so you feel satisfied sooner and stay that way longer. Amylin analogues like cagrilintide work on the fullness signal after meals. Different peptides target different combinations of these pathways, which is what separates one from another.

There is no single right answer, but semaglutide and tirzepatide have the deepest research behind them, which makes them the usual starting points. Retatrutide is the newest of that family, and cagrilintide works on a different pathway entirely. A simple way to think about it: start with the most established options, then branch out once you understand how they differ.

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a peptide that mimics a gut hormone involved in appetite and blood sugar control. It reduces hunger and slows stomach emptying, so smaller amounts of food feel like enough. It is the most researched peptide in the weight management category and the reference point most of the newer ones get compared against.

Yes, semaglutide is the active ingredient in both. Ozempic and Wegovy are brand names for semaglutide, approved for different uses: Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for weight management. Under all three names it is the same molecule.

Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, a peptide that mimics two gut hormones involved in appetite and blood sugar control. Working on two pathways at once means it influences both hunger and how the body handles energy after eating. That dual action is what sets it apart from single pathway peptides like semaglutide.

Yes, tirzepatide is the active ingredient in both. Mounjaro and Zepbound are brand names for tirzepatide, approved for different uses: Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight management. Same molecule, two names.

Receptor coverage. Semaglutide activates GLP-1 receptors, while tirzepatide activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, so it works on an extra pathway. They are the two most studied peptides in this category and the most common comparison for anyone weighing up weight management peptides.

Retatrutide is a triple receptor agonist that targets GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. The glucagon activity is the notable addition, since that pathway is tied to how the body burns energy rather than just how much you eat. It is the newest peptide in the weight management line.

It covers one more receptor. Semaglutide works on one pathway, tirzepatide works on two, and retatrutide works on three, adding glucagon receptor activity to the mix. Think of the three as one research line getting broader with each generation: same foundation, wider reach.

Cagrilintide is an amylin analogue, a peptide modeled on the hormone that signals fullness after eating. Where GLP-1 peptides mostly quiet hunger before a meal, cagrilintide strengthens the stop signal that ends one. That is why it sits slightly apart from the rest of this category.

Different hormone, different signal. GLP-1 peptides like semaglutide reduce hunger before and during meals, while amylin analogues like cagrilintide strengthen the feeling of fullness after them. The two pathways are complementary rather than competing, which is why they are often discussed together.