Best Peptides for Weight Loss

Retatrutide is an investigational medication that activates three hormone receptors (GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon) at the same time. Phase 2 trials showed up to 24% body weight loss at 48 weeks, and it is currently in Phase 3 development.

Semaglutide is a medication that mimics a natural fullness hormone (GLP-1) in the body. It is FDA-approved as Wegovy for weight management and Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, with significant effects on appetite control and blood sugar regulation.

Tirzepatide is a dual-action medication that activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, two key fullness and blood sugar hormones. It is FDA-approved as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound for weight management, outperforming semaglutide in head-to-head trials.

Liraglutide is a medication that mimics a natural fullness hormone (GLP-1) in the body. It is FDA-approved as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for weight management, with an extensive record of clinical safety and effectiveness data.

Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analogue, a once-weekly injection that mimics a natural fullness hormone to curb appetite and reduce body weight. It is studied both on its own and combined with semaglutide as CagriSema, which produced about 20 percent weight loss in late-stage trials. It is investigational and not yet approved.

5-Amino-1MQ is a small molecule that blocks an enzyme linked to fat storage and metabolic problems. Research focuses on fat cell metabolism, weight loss, and reversing diet-related obesity in animal studies.

HGH Fragment 176-191 is a stabilized piece of human growth hormone (amino acids 176-191) and the parent compound of AOD-9604. Research focuses on fat breakdown without the growth-promoting or blood sugar effects of full growth hormone.

Setmelanotide (brand name Imcivree) is an FDA-approved injectable peptide that switches on a brain receptor controlling hunger. It is approved specifically for rare forms of severe obesity driven by the brain hunger pathway, not for general weight loss, and in trials it cut both hunger and body weight in those conditions.

Tesofensine is an oral weight-loss compound that blocks the brain from reabsorbing three appetite-related chemical messengers, noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin, so the feeling of fullness lasts longer and hunger drops. In a Phase 2 trial it produced about twice the weight loss of the diet drugs available at the time. It is investigational and not approved.

AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 176-191). Originally developed as an anti-obesity compound, it shows preclinical evidence for promoting fat metabolism without affecting blood sugar or growth.

SLU-PP-332 is a synthetic "exercise mimetic", a small molecule that switches on the same cell machinery (mitochondria and fat burning) the body normally activates during aerobic exercise. In animal studies it reduced fat and boosted endurance, but it has not been tested in humans and is poorly absorbed when taken by mouth.