Key takeaways
- ✓Semaglutide targets GLP-1; tirzepatide adds GIP; retatrutide adds glucagon receptor activity.
- ✓Semaglutide and tirzepatide have approved forms with large phase 3 programmes; retatrutide is investigational.
- ✓Research-grade material is not the licensed medicines, and these pages are about the molecules, not about use.
Receptor targets
The receptor profile is the main structural difference, and the one most research questions turn on.
- Semaglutide: a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
- Tirzepatide: dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist.
- Retatrutide: triple agonist at GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors.
Evidence maturity
Semaglutide has the longest record, tirzepatide followed with its own phase 3 programme, and retatrutide has been progressing through later-stage trials. Evidence levels on peptide.wiki reflect the quality of published data, not enthusiasm, and are explained in the methodology.
Regulatory status
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are authorised in medicinal forms in several regions. Retatrutide is not approved. Regulatory lines on each compound page are re-checked at every review.
Which comparison page to read
Each pair has its own page with a side-by-side table, a verdict and FAQs: semaglutide vs tirzepatide, tirzepatide vs retatrutide and semaglutide vs retatrutide.
Planning research purchases
If you are sourcing these for in vitro work, compare sizes by price per mg and check each batch's CoA. Nordapep lists all three, and the GLP-1 Research Trio bundles them. Material from any supplier is for laboratory research only.
Related tools
Compounds mentioned
Semaglutide
Long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist
Tirzepatide
Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist
Retatrutide
Investigational GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon triple agonist
More guides
Cite this page
peptide.wiki. (2026). Semaglutide vs tirzepatide vs retatrutide: the three incretin peptides compared. peptide.wiki. https://www.peptide.wiki/guides/semaglutide-tirzepatide-retatrutide-compared