Retatrutide vs Survodutide
Retatrutide (Triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist) and Survodutide (Dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist) are documented as co-studied in the PeptiDex library. This page puts the two entries side by side on class, molecular weight, half-life, origin, mechanism and studied research areas — every value taken from the entry it belongs to.
Why these two are co-studied
Cross-referenced for research context — not a usage or combination recommendation.
At a glance
| Attribute | Retatrutide | Survodutide |
|---|---|---|
| Compound class | Triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist | Dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist |
| Research category | GLP-1 Family | GLP-1 Family |
| Length (amino acids) | 39 amino acids | Not documented |
| Molecular weight | ~4731 g/mol | Not documented |
| Half-life | ~6 days | ~6-7 days (~120-170 hours) |
| Origin | An investigational peptide developed by Eli Lilly as a single molecule targeting three receptors: GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon. It has been evaluated in clinical trials in the 2020s. | An investigational dual agonist of the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors developed by Boehringer Ingelheim (also known as BI 456906). It has been evaluated in clinical trials in the 2020s. |
“Not documented” means the PeptiDex entry records no value for that field. Nothing on this page is estimated, and no figure is carried over from one compound to the other.
How Retatrutide works
Retatrutide is a synthetic peptide agonist designed to activate the GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptors simultaneously. GIP and GLP-1 agonism support glucose-dependent insulin secretion, glucagon suppression, delayed gastric emptying, and appetite reduction, while glucagon-receptor agonism is proposed to increase energy expenditure. The combined activity is being studied for its effects on body weight and metabolic parameters.
How Survodutide works
Survodutide is a synthetic peptide agonist that activates both the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. GLP-1 agonism enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite, while glucagon-receptor agonism is proposed to raise energy expenditure and modulate hepatic metabolism. The combined action is being studied for effects on body weight and liver-related metabolic endpoints.
Mechanistic descriptions reflect published research-literature understanding and are quoted from each compound's own entry. Much peptide research is preclinical (in-vitro or animal-model); mechanism in humans may differ and is not established for many compounds.
Where each one appears in the literature
The research contexts each entry documents. Listing a research area is not a claim of efficacy or a therapeutic indication, and the two lists are not scored against each other.
Described in identical terms for both
Retatrutide
Survodutide
What sets each apart
Retatrutide
Retatrutide differs from tirzepatide and semaglutide by adding a third target, the glucagon receptor, making it a triple agonist rather than a single or dual agonist.
Survodutide
Survodutide is a GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist (like mazdutide) rather than a GIP/GLP-1 agonist like tirzepatide, and has been notably studied for liver disease endpoints.
Frequently asked questions
What is retatrutide and what makes it a 'triple agonist'?
Retatrutide (LY3437943) is a single-molecule triple agonist that activates the GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. The added glucagon-receptor activity — associated in research with increased energy expenditure — is what distinguishes it from GLP-1 mono-agonists and GLP-1/GIP dual agonists. It is studied in models of obesity and metabolic regulation.
What is retatrutide's half-life and how does it shape study design?
Retatrutide has a reported half-life of approximately 6 days, which supports once-weekly administration in the published trials. Steady-state levels are generally reached after about 4-5 weeks of weekly dosing at a given dose, so protocols use a multi-week escalation before any maintenance readout. The long half-life implies a multi-week washout after stopping.
How is retatrutide dose-escalated in the clinical literature?
Phase 2 protocols escalated weekly in steps such as 1, 2, 4, 8, and up to 12 mg, each held about 4 weeks; later phase 3 (TRIUMPH) protocols used steps like 1 -> 2 -> 4 -> 6 -> 9 -> 12 mg. In the reported data, gradual escalation to the same maintenance dose produced fewer gastrointestinal events than jumping straight to it. These are reference figures for research context only, not human dosing guidance.
What is survodutide and what receptors does it target?
Survodutide (BI 456906) is a dual glucagon-receptor / GLP-1-receptor agonist developed by Boehringer Ingelheim under license from Zealand Pharma. It is an acylated peptide carrying a C18 fatty-acid chain for half-life extension. In research the GLP-1 arm is associated with satiety and glucose effects while the glucagon arm is associated with energy expenditure and hepatic fat, and it is studied in obesity and MASH models.
What is survodutide's half-life and what does it imply for study design?
Survodutide has a reported half-life on the order of ~6-7 days (roughly 120-170 hours across sources), supporting once-weekly administration. Steady state is generally reached by about week 5 of weekly dosing, so protocols include a multi-week escalation before maintenance readouts. The long half-life also means a multi-week washout after discontinuation.
How is survodutide dose-escalated in the clinical literature?
A phase 2 obesity dose-finding trial studied once-weekly doses of 0.6, 2.4, 3.6, and 4.8 mg, using an approximately 20-week dose-escalation phase followed by a maintenance phase. Escalation is used to manage gastrointestinal tolerability. These are reference figures for research context only, not human dosing guidance.
Answers are the ones published on each compound's own PeptiDex entry. They are educational summaries of research-literature context and are not medical advice.