Editorially reviewed · Last updated September 8, 2026 · How we review

Part of Safety Topics.
Key findings
- GI adverse events were common in retatrutide trials and were usually mild or moderate.
- TRIUMPH-1 and TRIUMPH-4 rates describe different populations and durations; keep their tables separate.
- Abnormal skin sensations were already reported in Phase 2. Dysesthesia also appears in current semaglutide and tirzepatide labels.
- At 12 mg, adverse-event discontinuation was 11.3% in TRIUMPH-1 and 18.2% in TRIUMPH-4.
- Phase 2 recorded pancreatitis and gallbladder events; small numbers cannot establish or exclude a causal risk.
- A published DXA substudy found lean-mass loss; it did not prove muscle preservation. Retatrutide remains investigational.
Retatrutide Side Effects & Safety
Most Common Side Effects at a Glance
The most common side effects of retatrutide at the 12 mg dose, based on TRIUMPH-4 Phase 3 trial data (445 participants over 68 weeks):
- Nausea — 43.2% (vs. 10.7% placebo)
- Diarrhea — 33.1% (vs. 13.4% placebo)
- Constipation — 25.0% (vs. 8.7% placebo)
- Vomiting — 20.9% (vs. 0.0% placebo)
- Dysesthesia (abnormal skin sensation) — 20.9% (vs. 0.7% placebo)
- Decreased appetite — 18.2% (vs. 9.4% placebo)
Side Effect Rates from TRIUMPH-4
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| Adverse Event | 9mg | 12mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 38.1% | 43.2% | 10.7% |
| Diarrhea | 34.7% | 33.1% | 13.4% |
| Constipation | 21.8% | 25.0% | 8.7% |
| Vomiting | 20.4% | 20.9% | 0.0% |
| Decreased appetite | 19.0% | 18.2% | 9.4% |
| Dysesthesia | 8.8% | 20.9% | 0.7% |
The manufacturer’s topline release does not establish that rare or long-term risks are equivalent to placebo.
Newer TRIUMPH-1 Safety Results
TRIUMPH-1 studied 2,339 adults without diabetes over 80 weeks. Its rates should remain separate from TRIUMPH-4 because the population and study duration differ.
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| Adverse event | 4 mg | 9 mg | 12 mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 28.6% | 38.4% | 42.4% | 14.8% |
| Diarrhea | 25.2% | 34.1% | 32.0% | 13.5% |
| Constipation | 23.8% | 25.9% | 26.1% | 10.9% |
| Vomiting | 10.6% | 22.8% | 25.3% | 4.8% |
| Dysesthesia | 5.1% | 12.3% | 12.5% | 0.9% |
| Urinary tract infection | 7.5% | 8.8% | 8.4% | 5.3% |
| Stopped because of adverse events | 4.1% | 6.9% | 11.3% | 4.9% |
Gastrointestinal Side Effects
The most common side effects of retatrutide — nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting — are gastrointestinal (GI) in nature. This is consistent with the entire GLP-1 drug class. GLP-1 activity affects appetite signaling and gastrointestinal function, including gastric emptying. A slowed stomach alone does not explain every symptom.
Nausea
Nausea was the most frequently reported side effect in TRIUMPH-4, affecting 43.2% of participants at the 12mg dose compared to 10.7% on placebo. Nausea is typically most pronounced during the dose-escalation phase and tends to diminish as the body adjusts to the drug.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea affected approximately one-third of participants at both the 9mg (34.7%) and 12mg (33.1%) doses. This is consistent with rates seen in trials of other GLP-1 drugs and is generally classified as mild to moderate.
Constipation
Constipation occurred in 21.8% (9mg) to 25.0% (12mg) of participants, compared to 8.7% on placebo. Changes in gut function, intake, and hydration can contribute to constipation. Stomach emptying and bowel transit are different processes. It may seem contradictory that retatrutide causes both diarrhea and constipation, but different individuals respond differently, and the same person may experience both at different points during treatment.
Vomiting
Vomiting was reported in approximately 20% of participants at both active doses and 0% on placebo. Like nausea, vomiting is more common during dose escalation and tends to improve over time.
Decreased Appetite
Decreased appetite — reported in 18-19% of active-dose participants — is technically a side effect, but also one of the drug's primary mechanisms of action. The distinction matters: a symptom such as decreased appetite can be recorded as an adverse event, while the study separately measures weight-loss efficacy.
Dysesthesia: A New Safety Signal
One finding in TRIUMPH-4 that drew particular attention was dysesthesia — a condition in which normal sensations feel unusual or painful. This could include tingling, burning, numbness, or a heightened sensitivity to touch.
What the data shows
TRIUMPH-4 reported dysesthesia in 20.9% at 12 mg, 8.8% at 9 mg, and 0.7% with placebo; Lilly described events as generally mild and rarely leading to discontinuation. TRIUMPH-1 later reported 12.5%, 12.3%, and 0.9% for the corresponding groups. A single trial’s dose pattern is not a universal risk curve.
Why it matters
The mechanism is not established. Tingling, burning, numbness, or painful sensitivity can have several causes, so a new symptom should not automatically be attributed to the drug or dismissed as harmless.
What we don't know about dysesthesia
TRIUMPH-1 offers some reassurance that many events resolve during treatment. We still need clearer evidence on persistent symptoms, risk factors, and long-term outcomes. The studies do not prove that all symptoms disappear after stopping.
Dose-Dependent Side Effects and Titration
Higher-dose groups had more of some adverse events, but the pattern was not uniform: TRIUMPH-4 diarrhea was slightly more common at 9 mg than at 12 mg.
The titration schedule
Retatrutide trials used gradual, protocol-defined escalation. These are research regimens, not an approved prescribing schedule or instructions for using a purchased peptide vial. There is no FDA-approved retatrutide label.
Why titration matters
The Phase 2 obesity trial found that starting at 2 mg rather than 4 mg partly reduced gastrointestinal adverse effects. That supports supervised escalation; it does not establish a safe self-directed starting dose, split schedule, or conversion from another medicine.
How Side Effects Compare to Ozempic and Mounjaro
Retatrutide's GI profile is broadly similar to other incretin drugs. Cross-trial nausea rates from the landmark obesity programs:
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| Drug | Dose | Trial | Nausea Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide (Wegovy) | 2.4mg | STEP 1 | ~44% | Different population and follow-up |
| Tirzepatide (Zepbound) | 15mg | SURMOUNT-1 | ~31% | Separate trial; not a safety ranking |
| Retatrutide | 12mg | TRIUMPH-4 | ~43% | Dysesthesia 20.9% in this trial |
These percentages do not isolate the effect of the glucagon receptor or establish that one drug is safer. Study populations, duration, dose escalation, and reporting differ. Wegovy 2.4 mg is also a different regimen from Ozempic’s diabetes doses.
Dysesthesia appears in current semaglutide and tirzepatide labels as well as retatrutide studies. A comparison should use the relevant dose and trial, not assume the event is absent with approved drugs.
Cardiovascular Effects
TRIUMPH-4 reported improvements in cardiovascular risk markers in the retatrutide groups:
- Systolic blood pressure reduced by 14.0 mmHg at the 12mg dose
- Improvements in non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and hsCRP (a marker of systemic inflammation)
Heart rate
Class-Level Safety Concerns
Retatrutide activates GLP-1 as well as GIP and glucagon receptors. Approved incretin labels provide context, but retatrutide has no approved label and its own trial findings must be considered separately.
Thyroid cancer risk
Gallbladder events
Pancreatitis
Gastroparesis
| Drug | Gastroparesis incidence (per 1,000 person-years) | Observed cases |
|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | 9.1 | 4 |
| Liraglutide | 7.3 | 66 |
| Bupropion-naltrexone | 3.1 | 3 |
Severe nausea or vomiting is not itself a diagnosis of gastroparesis. The reviewed retatrutide reports do not establish a reliable incidence of diagnosed gastroparesis.
Warning signs that should prompt clinical evaluation include persistent vomiting that does not improve as the body adapts to a given dose, inability to keep down food or fluids, severe abdominal pain or bloating, or GI symptoms that continue between weekly doses rather than concentrating in the day or two after each injection.
Muscle and Bone Considerations
What we know
What we don't know
What We Don't Know Yet
Retatrutide’s evidence base now extends beyond the original 445-person, 68-week TRIUMPH-4 study. TRIUMPH-1 followed 2,339 participants for 80 weeks, with a selected extension to 104 weeks, and TRIUMPH-2 and -3 reported in July 2026. These advances do not settle:
- Rare harms and safety with years of continuous use.
- Persistent dysesthesia or its risk factors.
- Clinically important drug interactions and safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Safety in populations excluded or sparsely represented in trials.
- The amount and timing of weight regain after retatrutide withdrawal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is retatrutide safe?
Trials show substantial weight loss alongside frequent gastrointestinal adverse events and a dysesthesia signal. They also record rarer events requiring follow-up. Retatrutide is not FDA-approved, and a favorable trial summary does not establish safety for every patient, long-term use, or gray-market products.
What are the side effects of retatrutide?
What are reta side effects?
What is dysesthesia?
Does retatrutide cause muscle loss?
Are retatrutide side effects worse than Ozempic?
How common is gastroparesis on retatrutide?
A reliable incidence has not been established in the reviewed reports. Nausea, vomiting, or a category of severe GI events cannot be converted into a gastroparesis rate. A 2023 observational study found an association with semaglutide/liraglutide, but included no retatrutide users. Persistent vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, or severe abdominal symptoms need medical assessment.
How can I reduce the risk of gallstones on retatrutide?
Can retatrutide cause hair loss?
Does retatrutide raise your heart rate?
Does retatrutide affect kidney function?
How much does retatrutide lower ApoB and other lipids?
The abstract reported other lipid improvements, but did not give an Lp(a) treatment result. Changes in these markers do not prove fewer heart attacks or establish how much benefit is independent of weight loss.
Sources
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Lilly. (2026). TRIUMPH-1 efficacy and safety results.
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Coskun, T., et al. (2025). Retatrutide body-composition substudy.
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Lilly. (2026). TRIUMPH-2 and TRIUMPH-3 results.
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Eli Lilly and Company. (2025). Lilly's retatrutide achieved significant weight loss and pain relief in adults with obesity and knee osteoarthritis. Press release.
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Jastreboff, A.M., et al. (2023). Triple-Hormone-Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity — A Phase 2 Trial. New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2301972
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Wilding, J.P.H., et al. (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
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Jastreboff, A.M., et al. (2022). Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity (SURMOUNT-1). New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
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Lincoff, A.M., et al. (2023). Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT). New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2307563
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ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04881760 (Phase 2, Obesity), NCT04867785 (Phase 2, T2D)
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Retatrutide Phase 2 lipid sub-analysis, presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2024 — ApoB, non-HDL-C, triglyceride, apoC-III, and LDL-particle changes (NCT04881760). Conference abstract
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Sodhi, M., Rezaeianzadeh, R., Kezouh, A., Etminan, M. (2023). Risk of Gastrointestinal Adverse Events Associated With Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss. JAMA. Full text
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Dieting & Gallstones. Full text
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Alsuwailem, O.A., Alanazi, R., Almutairi, H.M., et al. (2025). Hair Loss Associated With Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonist Use: A Systematic Review. Cureus 17(9):e92454. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.92454
Questions to ask your doctor
- Is a GLP-1 medication an appropriate option for my condition specifically?
- What does the evidence actually show for my condition, versus weight loss alone?
- What are the alternatives, and how do they compare for me?
- What risks or monitoring apply given my health history?
- What results would be realistic, and over what timeframe?
- 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
- TRIUMPH-1 safety results
Eli Lilly
- TRIUMPH-4 safety results
Eli Lilly
- Phase 2 obesity publication
NEJM
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