How to Sign Up for a Retatrutide Clinical Trial

How to Sign Up for a Retatrutide Clinical Trial

The only legal way to receive retatrutide in 2026 is through Eli Lilly's TRIUMPH Phase 3 clinical trials. The drug is not FDA-approved and cannot be prescribed by your doctor. This guide covers how to find trials, eligibility requirements, what to expect, and which trials are still enrolling.

Where to Find Trials

ResourceURLWhat It Does
ClinicalTrials.govclinicaltrials.govU.S. government registry of all clinical trials. Search "retatrutide" and filter for "Recruiting"
Lilly Trial Connecttrials.lilly.comEli 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

TrialFocusEnrollment StatusExpected Completion
TRIUMPH-1Obesity (core pivotal, ~2,000 participants)Nearing completion — enrollment may be closed~May 2026
TRIUMPH-2T2D and obesityNearing completion~May 2026
TRIUMPH-3Obesity with cardiovascular diseaseReadout imminent (Feb–Mar 2026)~Feb–May 2026
TRIUMPH-OutcomesCV outcomes + kidney function (10,000 participants, 763 locations)Actively recruitingFebruary 2029
TRIUMPH-6Weight maintenanceListed on Lilly Trial Guide~July 2027
TRIUMPH-4Knee osteoarthritisCompleted (Dec 2025)Done

Best opportunity for enrollment: TRIUMPH-Outcomes is the largest trial (10,000 participants) with 763 global locations and a timeline through 2029. However, it requires existing cardiovascular disease and/or chronic kidney disease.

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:

WeeksDoseNotes
1–42 mgStarting dose
5–84 mgGI symptoms may emerge
9–126 mgContinued escalation
13–169 mgApproaching maintenance
17+9–12 mgMaintenance 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

BenefitDetails
Free study medicationRetatrutide or placebo for the full trial duration
Free medical monitoringLab work, vital signs, imaging, and other assessments at no cost
Payment per visitCompensation for each clinic visit, including mileage reimbursement
Expert medical oversightRegular 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

Can I sign up for a retatrutide trial right now?

Some trials are still actively recruiting, particularly TRIUMPH-Outcomes (10,000-participant cardiovascular/kidney outcomes trial). However, the core obesity trials (TRIUMPH-1 and TRIUMPH-2) are nearing their completion dates and may have stopped enrollment. Check ClinicalTrials.gov 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.

Medical Disclaimer

The content on glp3.wiki is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Retatrutide is an investigational drug that has not been approved by the FDA. Clinical trial participation involves risks including the possibility of receiving placebo.

Do not discontinue any current medication or make health decisions based on this information without consulting your doctor. If you are interested in clinical trials, talk to your healthcare provider first.

This site is not affiliated with Eli Lilly and Company or any pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Sources