Investigational · not FDA approved

Editorially reviewed · Last updated July 25, 2026 · How we review

How to Sign Up for a Retatrutide Clinical Trial

Q: Can I participate if I am already taking Ozempic or Mounjaro?

Most TRIUMPH trials require a 90-day washout period — you must stop any GLP-1 receptor agonist at least 90 days before screening. Discuss this with your doctor before discontinuing any medication.

The only legal way to receive retatrutide in 2026 is through an open Eli Lilly clinical trial. The drug is not FDA-approved and cannot be prescribed by your doctor. Most numbered TRIUMPH trials have closed enrollment; this guide covers how to find trials that are still recruiting, eligibility requirements, and what to expect.

Where to Find Trials

Resource	URL	What It Does
ClinicalTrials.gov	clinicaltrials.gov	U.S. government registry of all clinical trials. Search "retatrutide" and filter for "Recruiting"
Lilly Trial Connect	trials.lilly.com	Eli Lilly's matching tool. Answers a few questions to find trials you may be eligible for
Your doctor	—	Ask your healthcare provider — they may be connected to a trial site or can refer you

Which Trials Are Still Enrolling

Trial	Focus	Enrollment Status	Expected Completion
TRIUMPH-1	Obesity (core pivotal)	Completed / enrollment closed	May 2026 (reported)
TRIUMPH-2	T2D and obesity	Completed / enrollment closed	July 2026 (reported)
TRIUMPH-3	Obesity with cardiovascular disease	Completed / enrollment closed	July 2026 (reported)
TRIUMPH-4	Knee osteoarthritis	Completed (Dec 2025)	Done
TRIUMPH-5	Head-to-head vs tirzepatide (~800)	Active, not recruiting	Primary completion ~Dec 2026
TRIUMPH-6	Weight maintenance	Active, not recruiting	Primary completion ~Apr 2028
TRIUMPH-7	Obesity/overweight with chronic low back pain	Recruiting	Primary completion ~Sep 2027
TRIUMPH-Outcomes	CV + kidney outcomes (~10,000)	Active, not recruiting	Primary completion Feb 2029
MASLD master protocol	Multi-agent MASLD (includes retatrutide)	Recruiting	Primary completion ~Aug 2030

Open for new participants (as of latest ClinicalTrials.gov status): TRIUMPH-7 (NCT07035093) — obesity/overweight with chronic low back pain — and the Phase 3 multi-agent MASLD master protocol (NCT07165028). The other numbered TRIUMPH trials are active, not recruiting or completed — closed to new enrollment. Always re-check ClinicalTrials.gov or Lilly Trial Guide before applying.

General Eligibility Criteria

Most TRIUMPH trials share common eligibility requirements:

Inclusion Criteria

BMI: ≥ 30 kg/m², or ≥ 27 with at least one weight-related comorbidity (varies by trial — TRIUMPH-3 requires ≥ 35, TRIUMPH-Outcomes requires ≥ 27 with ASCVD/CKD)
Age: 18+ for most trials; 45+ for TRIUMPH-Outcomes
Weight stability: Must have been weight-stable for the past 90 days

Exclusion Criteria

Type 1 diabetes or history of diabetic ketoacidosis
Prior or planned bariatric surgery
History of chronic or acute pancreatitis
Family or personal history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN type 2
Clinically significant gastric emptying abnormality (severe gastroparesis)
Recent cardiovascular events (within 90 days, for CV-focused trials)
Use of any weight loss medication in the past 90 days
For TRIUMPH-Outcomes: eGFR below 20, prior kidney transplant, or recent dialysis

How the Enrollment Process Works

Step 1: Search for Active Trials

Use ClinicalTrials.gov or Lilly Trial Connect to find recruiting trials near your location. Filter for "Recruiting" status.

Step 2: Review the Details

Check inclusion and exclusion criteria against your health profile. Note the study duration, visit frequency, and location requirements. Consider whether you can commit to the full study period (typically 68-80 weeks, or up to 5 years for TRIUMPH-Outcomes).

Step 3: Contact the Trial Site

Each trial listing includes phone numbers and email addresses for study sites. Some sites have online contact forms. Your current doctor may be able to facilitate the referral.

Step 4: Screening

If you pass initial eligibility checks, the screening process includes:

Informed consent — detailed explanation of all risks and benefits
Lab work and vital signs
Full medical history review
BMI verification
Medication review
Condition-specific assessments (e.g., knee X-rays for OA trials, eGFR for kidney trials)

Step 5: Randomization

If you pass screening, you are randomly assigned to receive either retatrutide or placebo. You will not know which group you are in — all TRIUMPH trials are double-blind and placebo-controlled.

What to Expect During the Trial

Duration and Visits

Most trials last 68-80 weeks (~1.3-1.5 years)
TRIUMPH-Outcomes lasts approximately 5 years with up to 27 clinic visits
Regular visits include vital signs, lab work, weigh-ins, and check-ins with the study team
You will receive lifestyle counseling on diet and physical activity

Dose Titration

Retatrutide is given as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection, with gradual dose escalation:

Weeks	Dose	Notes
1–4	2 mg	Starting dose
5–8	4 mg	GI symptoms may emerge
9–12	6 mg	Continued escalation
13–16	9 mg	Approaching maintenance
17+	9–12 mg	Maintenance dose (varies by trial)

The Placebo Question

All TRIUMPH trials include a placebo arm. This means there is a real chance you will receive no active drug for the entire study duration. In TRIUMPH-4, the randomization was 1:1:1 (retatrutide 9 mg : retatrutide 12 mg : placebo), meaning roughly 1 in 3 participants received placebo. You cannot switch groups or request the active drug during the study.

What You Receive

Benefit	Details
Free study medication	Retatrutide or placebo for the full trial duration
Free medical monitoring	Lab work, vital signs, imaging, and other assessments at no cost
Payment per visit	Compensation for each clinic visit, including mileage reimbursement
Expert medical oversight	Regular check-ins with the study team including adverse event monitoring

What You Do NOT Receive

No guaranteed access to retatrutide after the trial ends — once the study period is over, the drug is not continued
No guarantee of receiving active drug — you may receive placebo
No reduced-cost access to retatrutide once it is commercially available
No ability to choose your dose or switch treatment groups

Frequently Asked Questions

Most numbered TRIUMPH trials — including TRIUMPH-5 and TRIUMPH-Outcomes — are active, not recruiting. Currently recruiting options include TRIUMPH-7 (NCT07035093; obesity/overweight with chronic low back pain) and the Phase 3 multi-agent MASLD master protocol (NCT07165028). Check ClinicalTrials.gov (filter "Recruiting") or Lilly Trial Guide for the most current status.

What are my chances of getting the real drug vs placebo?

It depends on the trial design. TRIUMPH-4 used 1:1:1 randomization (~33% chance of placebo). Other trials may have different ratios. The study team cannot tell you which group you are in.

Can I continue taking retatrutide after the trial ends?

Generally, no. Clinical trial participants do not receive continued access to the study drug after the trial period ends. You would need to wait for FDA approval and commercial availability.

Can I participate if I am already taking Ozempic or Mounjaro?

Most TRIUMPH trials require a 90-day washout period — you must stop any GLP-1 receptor agonist at least 90 days before screening. Discuss this with your doctor before discontinuing any medication.

Is the trial free?

The study medication and all study-related medical care are free. You will also receive compensation for each visit. However, travel costs beyond mileage reimbursement may not be covered.

What if I experience side effects?

All adverse events are monitored by the study team. If you experience serious side effects, the study doctor will provide appropriate medical care. You can withdraw from the trial at any time.

Sources

Lilly Medical. (2026). What retatrutide clinical trials are being conducted in people with obesity or overweight? Link.
Midi Health. (2026). How to Get Retatrutide with a Clinical Trial. Link.
ClinicalTrials.gov. TRIUMPH trials: NCT05929066, NCT05931367, NCT06383390.
Giblin, M.J., et al. (2026). Design of the TRIUMPH Phase 3 program. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. PubMed.

How we keep this honest

What this is: Educational information, not medical advice. It reports published research — it doesn’t recommend that you use, obtain, or supply anything.
Regulatory status: Retatrutide and similar peptides are investigational — not approved by the FDA or any regulator. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are prescription-only medicines, available only through a licensed prescriber.
Our standard: Every claim traces to a primary source. We label the strength of evidence and flag estimates as estimates — never as clinical fact.
No commercial ties: We don’t sell, supply, or link to suppliers of any medicine, and aren’t affiliated with any manufacturer.

Do not make decisions about your health without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. For trial enrolment, see ClinicalTrials.gov. More on how we review.

Sources