Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and Retatrutide: A Status-First Comparison
Start with regulatory status and evidence, then compare clinical fit, access, and total cost.
FDA-approved finished semaglutide and tirzepatide products exist. Compounded preparations are different products, are not FDA-approved or brand-identical, and results vary. Retatrutide remains investigational, cannot be used in compounding under federal law, and is not offered by New Hope.
Important: Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved and are not brand-identical. Eligibility and results vary.
Status-first comparison
| Option | Status | What it means for a patient |
|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | FDA-approved brand products exist. Compounded preparations are not FDA-approved. | Compare accessible, appropriate approved options first. A compounded preparation requires individual review and does not inherit a brand product's evidence or quality. |
| Tirzepatide | FDA-approved brand products exist. Compounded preparations are not FDA-approved. | A larger average in a brand trial does not make this option automatically better for an individual or predict compounded outcomes. |
| Retatrutide | Investigational. It is not FDA-approved and cannot be used in compounding under federal law. | New Hope does not offer it. Legitimate access is limited to authorized clinical research or a formal expanded-access program when applicable. |
How a clinical decision is made
The decision does not begin with a potency ranking or a rule about which medication to start first. It begins with indication, contraindications, current medications, response history, tolerability, FDA-approved options, access, total cost, and the patient's informed preferences.
Who evaluates, prescribes, and dispenses
The clinic evaluates and, when clinically appropriate, prescribes. The clinic does not manufacture or dispense medication. Only if a prescription is approved and the dispensing pharmacy can fulfill it for the patient's location, the pharmacy separately prepares and dispenses the prescription and confirms packaging and shipping details before fulfillment.
Expanded decision guide
Status and evidence are the first comparison
| Medication topic | Current status | How to read the evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | FDA-approved finished products exist for specific indications. Compounded preparations are not FDA-approved, are not brand-identical, and results vary. | Use the label and trials for the exact approved product. Do not transfer those results to a different preparation. |
| Tirzepatide | FDA-approved finished products exist for specific indications. Compounded preparations are not FDA-approved, are not brand-identical, and results vary. | Compare the exact product, indication, dose plan, population, and follow-up period. |
| Retatrutide | Investigational, not FDA-approved, cannot be used in compounding under federal law, and is not offered by the clinic. | Clinical-trial findings do not create retail availability or establish an approved use. |
How to read trial percentages
A trial average is not a promise and is not a clean ranking across different studies. Check who enrolled, which product and dose were studied, how long treatment lasted, what support both groups received, how missing data were handled, and which safety outcomes occurred. Results vary even within the same study.
Place common risks in clinical context
A useful comparison includes expected gastrointestinal effects, contraindications, warnings, interactions, pregnancy planning, kidney or gallbladder concerns, and the ability to maintain hydration and nutrition. The relevant profile comes from the exact product label and the patient's history, not from a category nickname.
Clinical choice is individual
The choice depends on indication, history, current medicines, prior response, tolerability, access, total cost, and follow-up capacity. No one should start, stop, switch, split, skip, or change a prescription without the prescriber.
Specific medication guides
Primary and official source trail
Read each source for the exact product, population, date, method, and limitation. A source supports only the claim it actually studied or the policy it actually states.
Common questions
Does New Hope offer retatrutide?
No. Retatrutide is investigational, is not FDA-approved, cannot be used in compounding under federal law, and is not offered by New Hope. Legitimate access is limited to authorized clinical research or, where applicable, a formal expanded-access program.
Is compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide the same as an approved brand?
No. A compounded preparation is a different product, is not FDA-approved or brand-identical, and brand evidence does not establish its quality or outcomes. Results vary.
Which option should I use first?
There is no correct sequence for everyone. A physician considers indication, contraindications, current medications, response history, tolerability, access, total cost, and FDA-approved options before recommending a plan.
Does the clinic dispense medication?
No. The clinic evaluates and, when appropriate, prescribes. A state-licensed pharmacy separately prepares and dispenses any compounded prescription that meets applicable conditions.
Why can trial percentages be misleading in a side-by-side comparison?
Studies can use different products, populations, doses, durations, support, and analysis methods. Compare each result within its own trial and label rather than treating averages from separate studies as a direct ranking.
Sources: FDA guidance on unapproved GLP-1 drugs and retatrutide and the federal record for an active phase 3 retatrutide study.
This comparison is educational and is not individual medical advice. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved or brand-identical. Results vary.
Wegovy and Ozempic are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Mounjaro and Zepbound are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. New Hope Weight Loss is not affiliated with or endorsed by those companies. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved or brand-identical. Results vary.